A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.
Mark 2:1-4

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“We used to have one well. Now we have multiple taps.” As ministry partners in Luanshya, Zambia shared, I was inspired by this African church’s ingenuity. They started with one borehole near the church, but the lines got longer every day. The ministry leaders banded together, rallied partners and resources, and put in a huge above-ground water tank. They could now route more water to a small filling station with several spigots. Then, by instituting a nominal income-based access fee and selling SIM cards and snacks, they offset costs to maintain the well. It was brilliant! 

As churches reflect the heart of Jesus, people are drawn in and drawn together. This is what happened when four guys showed up with a paralyzed friend while Christ was teaching and couldn’t get inside. With their buddy clearly in need, they needed to be over-the-top creative—literally. I’m sure carrying him to the roof was strenuous, maybe even awkward or embarrassing—PIVOT! PIVOT! I mean, ingenuity often kicks in when the stakes are high, but rip off a stranger’s roof? That’s next level—again, literally. The paralytic’s four friends had to get close to each other to get close to Jesus. And when they did, it was miraculous. Their tandem efforts resulted in unimaginable physical and eternal transformation.

Through Willow Creek’s Compassion and Justice partnerships, I’ve visited many of the most amazing churches in Zambia, Africa. While some buildings are noteworthy, it’s not the architecture or weekly attendance that impresses me. It’s the ingenious hearts of the people, the community, and the ministry. What moves me are Christlike congregations that serve people in need relentlessly, whether well-resourced or not. The Zambian churches I’ve encountered, and ones like them in the U.S. and across the globe, are quietly yet powerfully and eternally impactful. They’re close-knit communities of Christians who are united in spirit and purpose—humble, prayerful, industrious, tenacious, and sacrificial. It’s miraculous to see them rally and watch God at work. For me, and hopefully for you, I’m grateful that Celebration of Hope is here, and we’re invited to get close—to be drawn in and drawn together on a mission bigger than ourselves as we follow Jesus.

Next Steps

How will you link arms with people close to you during Celebration of Hope? Click here to explore upcoming services, stories, and ways to serve on your own or as a family/group.