The past Sunday we had the opportunity to experience another small part of the “Dream” take flesh as Sue and Ray Banbury of Pratt Friends Church dedicated “Connection House”, a sober house for those recovering from various addictions. Approximately 50 people gathered for the dedication of the house, and heard testimonies by several whose lives are already being impacted by this ministry to the greater Wichita area.
Sue and Ray opened this house just a few weeks ago, and already have 5 people who are part of the program with others on the way. Thanks Sue and Ray for helping us catch a glimpse of the “Dream” being realized among us.
We have a dream of God’s Kingdom coming to heal the sick and the broken. Forgiveness of sins. Redemption. The homeless and hungry knowing that God cares, and has sent friends to help them. Prisoners and orphans and widows and the sick believing that their creator knows their name. Addictions falling away in the power of Jesus’ forgiveness. What if our churches were constantly celebrating recovery? Marriages and families growing stronger. Broken relationships being healed. What if one of God’s children was running the race, and fell, and couldn’t go on without help…and what if we stopped everything else for the sole focus of helping them continue across the finish line? What if we would lay our lives down for our friends? (cf. Jn 15:13) (drafted July 27, 2014, EFC-MAYM Ministry Conference)
-Thayne Thompson
Executive Superintendent
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