The Kingdom of Light invading the Kingdom of Darkness

             by Joe Palm

November 2003

Let me briefly introduce myself and share with you a story about how God is transforming a community. After serving as an Associate Pastor with New Life Christian Fellowship @ VA Beach the Lord moved my family to Tulsa, Oklahoma to join the Pastoral staff of Will Rogers United Methodist Church. Being unfamiliar with the Methodist denomination I very uncertain about what to expect in ministry and in style of worship but was excited about the opportunity. We have been amazed at how well things have gone. God has far exceeded anything that we could have ever imagined or conceived. We are blessed to be part of a great body of believers.

One of my primary responsibilities at Will Rogers is equipping in the area of evangelism. God has opened up a door for us at a local apartment complex.

This complex has been riddled with crime, turmoil and hopelessness. It is referred to as “Hell’s Kitchen”.

Some might ask, “Why in the world would you want to evangelize in that location?” After all, instead of contributing to the church budget this community of people would most likely help drain it. Rather than giving to the building fund they might possibly tear up the building a little. Instead of emitting a fragrant aroma their smoky smell might disgust other members and cause the membership to go down. Nevertheless, it was worth taking a chance. I decided to listen to a humble but very smart man. He suggested that the best thing that I could do for our church was to go to this community. This man really likes people who are sick, troubled, full of turmoil, bound up with addictions and unable to pay on the church building fund. In fact, this man told me that if you want to grow a great church you must go after these kinds of people first. This man is Jesus. I figured that I better build the church His way.

In an effort to get to know the residents and provide opportunity for the residents to build some community, we began our adventure into this complex by simply having a pool party. Since having this party a variety of outreaches have been birthed. The manager has given us a two-bedroom apartment to do ministry out of. On Tuesday nights we have a bible study and fun night with the children and the adults meet in the leasing office for a bible study. On Sunday morning we pick up folks in our church bus. Franklin Graham came to town and we packed our bus full of kids and several of them made decisions for Christ. Most recently, we had an “Everything Free” fall party that consisted of a professional wrestling match (hosted by some of the wrestlers in our church), a car show (hosted by a car junkie in our church), manicures (hosted by one of the ladies ministries in the church), massages for the ladies (hosted by a church attender), games, face painting, a Jupiter jump, candy, fantastic music (hosted by a DJ in the church), door prizes and wonderful food. It was awesome to see tons of residents and some non-residents hang out and have a great time. It was also an amazing sight to see all of the different giftings in our church (everyone from wrestlers to manicurist) being utilized to bring in the harvest and shed the love of God.

So has it been worth it? I will let you decide. The other day I was walking in the parking lot of the complex and I heard a little girl holler out of her bedroom window to the manager “I had a great time at the bible study”. I am sure that it has been a long time in that complex, if ever, that anyone has hollered something like that out of the window. Another girl, whose family was contemplating moving, didn’t want to move because of the bible studies, the parties and the fun she is having in the park. Another group of four brothers and sisters were disappointed because they were moving but their parents encouraged them that they could still come to the bible studies and that they could come to church with us on Sunday. They are currently doing both of these. One of these little girls (10 years old) has read from the book of Genesis all the way through to I John in a little over two months time. In fact, her mother and brother are now reading the Bible and the mother is helping her memorize Scripture verses for Sunday School. Also, the other night we prayed for the manager in the parking lot of the complex and the Lord came down on her so strong that she later told me “I felt drunk and went home and just got in the bed.” On top of that the Lord took the pain in her back away that evening. Last Sunday night we did a Jericho March around the complex. One of the reasons we did this was because several of the apartments have been vacant and the manager was feeling heat from the boss about so many vacancies. Well, I just got word today that over half of those units will be filled in about a week’s time. God is doing some amazing things--everything from filling the emptiness in people’s hearts to filling the vacancies. When God’s kingdom comes, EVERYTHING CHANGES!

Oh that churches all over Tulsa, and all over the world would take Jesus at His word and believe that His kingdom can come on earth (in every apartment complex, in every home, in every life) as it is in heaven! May the Lord bless you and move your heart to bring his light in every dark corner of your world.

Joe Palm and the body at Will Rogers United Methodist Church

jpalm@willrogersumc.org