This is one of those personal posts, which will most likely go on for a bit. So, if you will please, permit to share with you my heart a bit. As you all know, I am a born-again Christian of 30 year vintage; which is a nice way of saying that I am old. I am 40, no use trying to deny that.
I found out last night something that ripped my heart out in a very big way. I found out that the Church that I had attended for 10 years of my life; which was from 1983 until 1993 — decided to pack it in, and call it 35 years and close their doors for good. I am referring to no other than Detroit Grace Assembly of God in Detroit, Michigan.
I am not interested in assigning blame or anything silly like that; I just found the news to be a bit unsettling. What I do know is this, after Pastor Johnny D. Saenz retired, most of people that were going there, which was his family members and a few others — left after he retired. This left the Church with two families. Ken Lambert, who was basically the last man standing, decided that leaving the Church open for just two families, just really was not worth it.
I am one of those kinds of people that grow attached to a thing, which is rather strange, considering the fact that I am not really in the Pentecostal Churches anymore. Yeah, that is right; back in 2004, after spending 21 years in those circles; I packed up my memories and called it a good run and got into my little wood canoe, and paddled across the Christian lake to the Baptist beach and started over. What I did not do, was deny the fact that I came those circles, nor did I ever hold any grudges. Thus the reason why finding out that this Church ended just breaks my heart in two. I always thought that this Church would be around until the rapture came. Well, it was not to be.
If I were to sit here and tried to write all of things that I learned, the things that the Lord showed me, the things that were poured into me, by faithful servants of God, who happened to attend that Church; this silly blog entry would be twelve pages long.
What I can tell you is this — even though the work of Detroit Grace Assembly of God is done, and the old lighthouse operators at 1953 Military Street have stood down from their positions and have handed the controls to some new and very energetic people who wish make a difference. The message has not changed one bit. That message was first was heralded first by St. Patrick’s Church, who built the building and then by Detroit Grace Assembly of God, who bought it in 1978, is still the same as it was some 2012 years ago.
That message is that Jesus Christ came to this earth, born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, never sinned, was crucified on the cross at Calvary. Then on the third day — literally and physically rose again, appeared to his disciples, and then ascended to his Father and now sits at the right hand of the Father. The message is also that anyone that decides that living the life of a hell-bound sinner is a lousy idea, now has a choice and a chance to spend the rest of his life in eternity with God; all he has to do —- is to accept that love gift given to him.
The mission of Grace Assembly of God for 35 years and now with Courage Church will be to continue to make that message known to those living in that area; that was the mandate given to that Church by the Lord and it is now the mandate of Courage Church. Now we as former attendees of Grace Assembly of God really wanted to see that Church carry on. However, I believe in appointed times by God. I believe that Grace Assembly of God was appointed a time to start and a time to end.
During that time, God literally transformed a good number of people, not only by salvation, but also by transformation, that comes by applying the Word of God to one’s life. I was one of those people, someone who came out of an awful mess at a Baptist Church in the area, and came to Grace Assembly of God and found out what serving Jesus was truly about. Which was not about, as I found out, wearing a suit and tie and carrying a huge Bible. But about Jesus and what he did on the cross of Calvary and what Jesus could do the heart of someone who is open to him coming and making needed changes.
It should be known, that there were some were in much worse shape than I was —- Drugs, broken families, broken marriages, children out of wedlock —- the usual sort of gruel that Satan and this World can offer, that most Churches, would turn their nose up at, and you know what? The Lord met these people, where they were and brought them out of their mess, transformed their lives and prospered them in mighty ways. All of that in a space of 35 years.
To the memory and legacy of Detroit Grace Assembly of God!
-Charles Patrick Adkins
Grace Assembly of God – Detroit, Michigan — Alumni 1983 – 1993
Lincoln Park, Michigan
UPDATE! Courage Church is now Santos Church.
Thanks for the kind words Patrick; we are excited to be a part of this beautiful neighborhood. It means a lot to hear how Grace Assembly affected your life. You are welcome to Courage Church anytime — we’d love to see you. We’re honored to continue the awesome work God has for Southwest Detroit, and are confident he has lots in store. Much love!
You are quite welcome. I would come visit, but I have no car and or job or money to buy said car.
And too, my days in Pentecostalism ended in 2004.
But thanks just the same. 🙂
C.P. , I actually find your prose quite entertaining….this was a VERY good story. Keep up the good work, I will be coming back for more…. MK.
Thanks Mike. 🙂
It was a very true one, and very dear to my heart. I spent 9 1/2 – 10 good years at that Church, even going as far as to drive back down to Southwest Detroit from Lincoln Park about 3 times a week for various functions.
Tragically, in 1993, I had a disagreement with a lady in leadership. She was in the music dept. She and I didn’t see eye to eye on the type of music that she was bringing into the Church. She thought it was wonderful and I thought it was a bunch of garbage; and still do to this day.
I decided to take a stand for I thought then and still do today — was right. I flatly refused to play the music. I am, FWIW, a drummer and I also play guitar.
Well, the woman pulled rank and tossed me from the music ministry; and I walked out of the Church and never went back. I did walk away from serving the Lord for about 5 years as result of her idiot nonsense; that was my idiotic mistake.
But my feelings about her, that she was going out of control were confirmed, when she divorced her husband, due to adultery. I was proven to be right, and her idiot defenders, like her now ex-husband, were proven wrong.
Looking back now, some 19 years later, my only regret was allowing that all to drive me away from serving God. It was dumb, I got bitter and did stuff, that now looking back; only hurt myself.
I have a lot of memories of that place. The good ones, I like to remember, that bad ones, I’m trying to forget. It comes with time, and I’m still waiting for it to pass.
Thanks again,
-Charles Patrick Adkins