Sunday night is the night my small group meets. Last Sunday was also Halloween. To blend the two we had a Super Hero Summit. We had food and games, and everyone was required to come dressed as a super hero (if you didn't there were costumes assigned at the door).
You read that right, I got to come to church dressed as a super-hero. Church and super hero, same bat time same bat channel. But it gets better.
The 31st was my last Sunday in Santa Rosa, before leaving for two weeks for home, before leaving for four weeks for South Africa. I had already shared with the group about the trip, but wanted to drop off some support letters as prayer reminders for those who wanted them.
As there were a few of the heroes getting ready to leave early, I turned down the music just to let everyone know that the letters were on the front table, and that this would be my last Sunday for a while. Grammar Girl turned to High Maintenance and asked, "Should we pray for Jesse now?" I honestly didn't think that was going to happen, but I will take all the prayer I can get.
As some gathered around to lay hands on me, others stretched out their hands toward me. Zan of the Wonder Twins (aka Andrew Mark, who is one of the few guys I know who can rock purple pants)-said lets do this "super hero style." And he made a fist. Several others did the same. After a few quick fist bumps, the group began to pray over me, for my safety, for my health, for the relationships with the team, and the impact God will have through me in Capetown.
This may all sound silly or even stupid, but for me it was one of the most memorable commissioning services I have ever been at.
You see the Wonder Twins activate their power through physical touch. Granted no one in the room could leap tall buildings or melt things with their brain. But each one there carries a far greater power. The power of the resurrected Christ. As I sat there receiving the blessing that were being poured out on me, I opened my eyes and saw men and women in costume fists extended praying over me.
I thought about the power of four color guardians and how much it would mean for them to share their power with one another. I thought about how these men and women were in an odd way sharing their power with me. Praying to their all-powerful Father that I as I go out from among them that I would be filled with power to great things. Even greater than lifting a car or even moving a mountain. That I would he equipped to tell someone they are loved by the God who made them. To tell them they have been given a second chance by the God who loves them.
I know this sounds silly and even stupid, but like I said, for me it was the sweetest picture of what RCC means to me, what prayer means to me, and even what I am being called to do for those four weeks in Africa.
--Serving Him alongside all of you, just from further away
--Jesse "Gonzo" Letourneau
