Genoa

See ‘story’ below about this congregation

The story comes to us from Genoa, Colorado. I’m sure that many of you have heard of the heart breaking situation that the Genoa Congregation is in. Several months back the basement where the fellowship hall, kitchen and restrooms are located was severely flooded causing tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage. The congregation was faced with the difficult decision to fix the damage or sell the building. In the meantime the pastor Larry Nickel had to go before the court to appeal a $3000 water bill from the municipality from when the water flooded the basement. As Larry stood before the panel a woman on the panel spoke up telling about the ministry the Genoa congregation provides in nursing homes. She encouraged the panel to reduce the fine and reduce it they did because of this woman’s testimony it went from $3000 to $275! This is so much more than a story of generosity multiplied because it comes to me on the heels of finding out that the Genoa congregation has made the decision to sell their building. This was sad news for myself and many, many others but this story gives me renewed hope. In the midst of pain and grieving there is joy and there is Christ. In the midst of the death of something well loved there is an opportunity for transformation and rebirth of a congregation. It excites me to think that part of God’s plan for the Community of Christ includes a small group of faithful Saints that become the visible healing presence of Christ for the elderly and vulnerable so that whole communities become transformed. I’ve caught the vision! I hope that the Genoa congregation has caught it too, that they can see the hope, the new life, the ministry of Christ that is waiting to be born in nursing homes along Eastbound I-70!
(from September 11, 2009 E-mail update from the Mission Center)