Page 15 - Contact Autumn 2020
P. 15
Café
Explore
Last year September 2019, we had our
first meeting of Cafe Explore. A small group
of people attended. People from all different
backgrounds; people who were all at different
stages in their relationship with God, or maybe
had no relationship with God at all. That small
group quickly began to grow to the point where One thing that we have developed at Cafe
we began to wonder would the Oasis hold us. Explore is that sense of belonging. I truly thank
We really were experiencing the blessing of God that the people could not wait to get back
God. and I know I can speak for them all. It’s great
to be back! The excitement of the desire to
On March 22 we had to stop meeting as worship and the desire to talk and share with
Cafe Explore due to the COVID-19 outbreak. each other has not changed. For that I give God
I personally was devastated, as were many of all the glory.
the group. Over the next few months, we did
short messages by video link and while A good basic foundation in the faith is
thankful for this provision we all know it’s not essential for growth. I believe we can build that
the same as meeting in person. Praise God foundation through simple but practical
though on September 6 this year we were back. teaching at Cafe Explore. Another aspect of
It was a slightly different format and took us our work is to help others who, for one reason
a week or two to find a structure that worked or another, have grown cold in the faith. Life’s
within the constraints of the necessary struggles may have overcome them and we
restrictions but we got there! seek to draw alongside to encourage and uplift
them in their walk with God.
The vision for Cafe Explore is very simple.
My passion is not only to see people come to A typical meeting starts on Wednesday evening
Christ, but also to see those same people grow at 7:30 pm. We meet In the Sanctuary for a
in their relationship with God. People who time of worship and a message from the Word
will allow God to take control of their whole of God. We then break into groups in different
life. It is so easy to become a Sunday Christian rooms throughout the church to discuss what
where our relationship with the Lords begins we have heard, or share and pray about issues
and ends on a Sunday. It is my belief that God we face.
requires much more than that, and this is what
I try to teach in Cafe Explore. Cafe Explore has been a real blessing to me
and many others. If you know someone who is
Let God rise up inside of you. See yourself as not yet a believer or who maybe needs some
part of God’s plan. See how you fit into his plan encouragement in the faith please bring them
and see how you can help others as they along. I have a sense that God is moving maybe
move in God’s plan for them. Salvation and a in a new way and I would love to have you with
relationship with God are far more than we us. You can contact me through the church
can ever imagine. For me it involves worship, office to reserve a place.
the study of the Word and, as much as
anything, fellowship. Willis McDowell
