JJ Martinez – Grand Junction, Colorado … When you are asked the question, “What is the church?”, what comes to mind? What is your response? One answer could be that the church is a community of same-faith believers uplifting each other while fulfilling the Great Commission. That would be a correct answer. But is that all the church is? While I agree with that answer, I believe the church is more than just that. The church is also a place where people can come and feel safe and loved. Where they feel like they are part of a family.

The Grand Junction Adventist Church has proven that. On December 4, several ministries teamed up to put on a church Christmas party. From the youngest member to the oldest all were invited. The night started with a delicious soup dinner and tasteful desserts. After the amazing dinner, the group moved into the gym where everyone participated in some fun games. There was even a snowball fight! Seeing both young and old come together is what makes the time spent together worth it.

The evening ended with some fun entertainment and the singing of Christmas carols. How does this show community?

Back in September, we held an evangelism series with Eric Flickinger. There was a substantial number of visitors who came to this series. The relationships they developed with the members of the church is why this Christmas party is important. Those visitors not only started to come to our church services, but also to the events that the church has planned–the Christmas party being one of them.

During that night, I talked to a few of our visitors, who are slowly becoming members. What they said put a smile on my face. They are amazed at how friendly everyone is and how willing the church is to make them feel part of the church family. The Christmas party was no different. They felt loved. They felt a sense of community.

That is what the church is about. That is what we are called to do. Yes, we are called to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to make disciples. We are also called to make those disciples feel welcome, to feel loved. Jesus calls us to love each other and our neighbor as we love ourselves. We are called to form a community. To form a family. That is the church.

–JJ Martinez is associate and youth pastor in Grand Junction Adventist Church. Photos supplied.