Love God Love People Prove It

Shooting Number On My first real encounter with the power of proving it in North Toledo was driven home one Tuesday morning after leaving my house to walk to our church next door. The previous weekend's service was nothing I had expected. We had finished our Saturday night service and locked up. I just wanted to go home and relax on the couch. Our house is located next door to the church. About 45 minutes after I got home, my youngest son and I sat on the couch. All of a sudden, five loud bangs echoed from across the street. By this time, I knew the sound of gunshots. Peering through our blinds, I saw a young man with a hoodie running across the sidewalk, holding his arm. He ended up next to the church steps. In a matter of minutes, the police arrived with the rescue squad. The night's excitement wasn't over. There were police, gunshots, and sirens for over three more hours. I didn't get much sleep that night. As I left for the church office that Tuesday morning, one of our neighbors came running over, calling my name. She was in tears. "I don't want to move, pastor! I've lived in this neighborhood a long time; I shouldn't have to move. My best friend said she is getting out of here; she can't take it anymore! What are we going to do, pastor?" And then she said something that tore at my heart and helped me understand why "proving it" is so important. She said, "I knew I could come and talk to you; I knew you would understand because you live here. You know what it's like." We talked for about 40 minutes. I told her the only one that can bring freedom, protection, and healing to our neighborhood is Jesus. Following our conversation, we prayed together. She still lives across the street. We continued to "prove it" for five years in front of her; she came to our Saturday night church service for the first time on Easter 2015.