From WorshipIdeas.com

WorshipIdea: Why We Do This
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by Don Chapman
Often we worship leaders get so caught up in special events like Easter, with all the musical and technical details, that we forget why we're doing it (hint: it's not for the money!)

Below is a story from Rob, one our choir members, about his encounter with an unlikely visitor to our Easter service. I wonder how many stories like this can be told in ministries around the world - and in your church. We may never know until we get to Heaven.


I stopped in at a little gas station for gas and a soda. When I approached the counter there was a man at the register who was staring at me, with a look that made me less than comfortable. I will admit, that due to stereotyping, this was a person I would probably not associate with. Tattoos on the arms, black hair in a pony tail, jewelry on the fingers and both ears, a straggled mustache and beard - you all know who I'm referring to: that guy that hangs out in less than stellar establishments, and sends fear to those that view him.

But he was staring at me. And my first instinct was to flee. I approached the counter, set my soda down, and prepared to hand him the money that I owed, when he opened his mouth to say: "I know you." Quickly glancing around, I noticed that it was just him and me in the place, so I responded with: "I don't think I know you. But my name is Rob."

He goes on to ring me up, and says, "No, I've seen you before, from somewhere". At this point, I'm praying that he'll hurry up and ring me out so I can get on my way, but God takes over and I found myself asking him where he thinks he knows me from. He can't put it together, but I did.

"Do you go to church?" was my next question.

A smile falls upon his face, as the light comes on. He goes on to tell me that his girlfriend and her mother drug him to church on Easter Sunday, to Brookwood, and he recognized me from the choir. "You were wearing a hat!" he tells me.

Walk across the room, I'm thinking. Just walk across the room. I extend my hand and he shakes it, and I asked him what he thought of the church.

The next 15 minutes was nothing short of a miracle. I spent that time listening to the most unlikely worshipper tell me that it was his first time in church in years, and that when Steve, Tara and Melinda did "Amazed," he cried. That by the images of the movie that was showing, (A 1977 version of Jesus of Nazareth), he was blown away at the realization of the price that was paid for us. For humanity. For him. He went on to say "that last song you all did, where everyone stood up...." and I interrupted him with "Jesus Messiah", to which he added.... "yeah, that one, - well when everyone stood up, I didn't know what to do, but when my girlfriend stood up, she grabbed my hand and I was pulled up too." He went on to say, that after the service, he went to the visitor's room to find out more about Brookwood, and what he had to do to be able to come again.

He asked what he had to do to BE ABLE to come again.

I stood in amazement and watched this hulk of a man, with tears in his eyes, witness to me the love that God and Christ has for him. And he wanted to know what he had to do.

By this time, there was a short line behind me, and I actually didn't care. I extended my hand, and said "welcome home."