It had been a full Sabbath. Fridays before sunset are a flurry of preparation for worship services. Saturday mornings are always bursting with activity. On this particular weekend, I left church right after YG, commuting to downtown Fort Worth for an outreach experiment that had me hustling late into the evening.
Afterwards as I was leaving Bread & Better Life Café, I reflected on the ArtsGoggle Festival, where literally tens of thousands of people had walked by the venue.
Self appointed, I spent much of the afternoon inviting people into the café to enjoy refreshment or participate in our free activities. Most were appreciative of the invite, but still just walked on by. Some were curious and then cocked their head up to look at the café marquee, then walked on by. And others walked in to see what it was all about.
I would alternate between being out in the streets inviting folks, and coming in the café to help, support, and interact with folks. I so enjoyed mingling with the “patrons” doing bead art or making silly pastor’s jokes about how I had baked the goldfish crackers one by one; Inviting people to enjoy the refreshments. Just hanging out was great.
I had a couple of people ask me what this was about and were shocked to hear it was free. It was a full day, and although it was “free,” it took a toll on me to help make it “free.”
As I waited for my ride that evening, I felt drawn to images of Jesus and His ministry in the first century.
As depicted in the Gospels, I imagined how Jesus got into trouble with the religious folks of his day. He caused a stir, because he mingled with people and did cool stuff on the Sabbath. I wondered if what I was doing at ArtsGoggle was in any way like what Jesus did. I was humbled by the thought.
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” –Ministry of Healing, p.143
I left that night very tired, and sore, but in so many ways my heart and soul were full. This Sabbath was very unusual, atypical, maybe even strange compared to my regular religious routine. Although it was hard work, I felt that I had given earnest effort to #BeJesus #BeYG
A Bead Bit of Backstory
Months before, I was visiting with Chaplain April Chisholm Snyder at Texas Health Huguley Hospital and noticed she had an array of bead bracelets she was trying to organize in her pockets. Upon my inquiring, she divulged that lately she had been making up bead art to provide to the patients and the families she cares for. I marveled at how such a simple act of thoughtful kindness could bring such comfort to her patient families. Plus the beads were so colorful, I couldn’t help but feel the joy that they could bring.
So when the Southwestern Union asked if YG might partner with them for the ArtsGoggle Festival, I immediately thought of Pastor April and her beads. The festival is apparently well known and an annual artistic apex that brings local artists, musicians, and vendors to Magnolia Avenue. Although we had no idea what to expect with over 80,000 visitors anticipated to convene on the 21 blocks in which Bread & Better Life Café was in the center of, we jumped into the opportunity to meet our DFW neighbors with a simple open house featuring free bead art.
Chaplain April was so kind and hospitable as was our whole volunteer team; Welcoming curious families, amused youth and young adults, and many types of adults also eager to join in.
I had no idea how many would come, so Younger Generation Church opted to just have goldfish and cheez its, along with some ice water as refreshments. Simple as it was, everyone seemed quite pleased with the free snacks.
Although the beads were fun, and the snacks were a nice touch, I felt what we served at the cafe was kindness; To the hundreds that dropped by, not really knowing anything about the Bread & Better Life Café, I loved that they got a healthy serving of kindness with joy on the side.
Thank you to Pastor April and the whole volunteer team who devoted their Sabbath to serve others. What we served isn’t on the official café menu, but it was enjoyed all the same.
Connecting with the Arts Community
Karen Jimenez Findley, is a Mexican-born artist now based in Fort Worth, Texas. She loves creating art that tells stories, captures the vibrant colors of our world, and inspires hope for a brighter future. From bringing children’s books to life through illustration to creating original art and murals, Karen’s goal is to make meaningful work that connects with people and shares God’s love.
When her family moved to the DFW Metroplex, I commissioned her to do a YG Worship piece to capture the exuberant praise we experienced for our 20th anniversary. She was pregnant at the time but undeterred in creating a jubilant painting that is now the centerpiece of our green room.
So, when YG was invited to collaborate for the ArtsGoggle Festival, I immediately thought of Karen. As 80K people meandered Magnolia Avenue, those who came into the Bread and Better Life Café enjoyed an exhibit by Findley Art Studio in the community room, and live painting session by Karen in the social room.
I am always impressed with how art connects people and was so inspired by the engagement Karen had with young and old as her brushes brought life to the canvas and the community.
The art community is very eclectic and diverse, and historically it was the Church that was a strong patron and supporter of artists. In today’s world, outside of worship musicians and the occasional dramatist, there seems to be little interest in Christian circles to reach out to those passionate about the arts.
In some ways, I think that is what motivated YG’s collaboration with the café for this evangelistic endeavor. How might we connect with creatives in our community? Pondering who might help us create compassionate connection, it made complete sense to involve Karen’s artistry and heart.
With such kindness and grace, Karen and her family joined our Sabbath outreach and were all in with their love for GOD and their passion to share Jesus vividly. Deep gratitude to Karen for leaning into the endeavor and inspiring us all.
Light in the Darkness
My Uber finally found me in a dark alley just off of Magnolia Street; With 80 thousand visitors coming to the festival I thought it best to not hunt parking day of. The festival was still brimming with activity late into the evening, lots to see and do even in the dark. But, I was toast, ready to get to YG and pick up my car then head home. I was so glad to have retained an Uber driver; I may have dozed off a time or two on the commute; the darkness made it easy to snooze in the backseat.
As we off-ramped towards YG Church, I thought about how rewarding it was sharing simple kindness at the festival: To bring a bit of joy, to peak the curiosity of our neighbors, to offer a smile in demeanor and deed. To be light.
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:14-16 [Message]
Reflecting on the day, I was so very grateful for the opportunity to bring out “the God-colors in the world,” but also deeply cherished time spent with our community neighbors at the festival. I deeply appreciated our leaders, like Pastor April and Karen, as well as our YG volunteers who came out; They were light not only to festival visitors, they were light to me as well. Arriving home near midnight, I quietly made my way through the house in the dark and collapsed in my bed, into a deep sleep. All the “mingling” had drained me, but the generosity and kindness I had experienced made my heart light.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” —John 8:12 [NLT]
