Submitted by Allen… One story I wanted to share is our move to Riverside. I’m so thankful for all the many brothers and sisters who came to help out with the move, sacrificing time and taking time off work to come help with the packing, loading, drive, unloading, unpacking, and organizing. So many people (Jin, Albert, Kan, Johnny, Mike, Jackson, Will, Hartie, Irene, Cece, Donna, Panouchi, Madeline, Susan, Edwin, Chris, Joel, Mike, and I’m probably missing some) came to lift heavy boxes, build furniture, help us shop for supplies, organize sound equipment, look up where to buy appliances and rent equipment, help with food prep, etc. My peers, Edwin and Chris came, even though all they could do was drive with us because they had to fly back to Oakland later that night. One brother in particular exemplified servanthood. Jin was always running around nonstop, not taking breaks, volunteering to help with anything, moving fast, and just looking for work. When he finished unloading boxes, he jumped into food prep and washing dishes. When we had enough help with building a bunk, he collected all the trash, broke down boxes, folded the cardboard, and organized trips to the dumpster. When other people were already taking care of sound equipment, he volunteered to help return a projector screen we rented. His example of service, along with his energy, excitement, zeal, and happy-to-help attitude really helped our move feel a lot quicker and less daunting. Just his presence alone helped me to see how one person’s attitude and grateful service really contributed in a positive way. It challenges and inspires me to be that same encouraging and strengthening presence to the team here in Riverside.
Thank you so much for your prayers, our send-off, and your continued prayers for us! See you soon!
Last Thursday, the Riverside and SD teams left Gracepoint Berkeley with many tears and heartfelt farewells. Along with them rode a team of helpers to travel down with them and help them get settled in. I felt extremely privileged and blessed to be able to take part in this process with the team in Riverside. Some brothers even came down just to help drive and unload and then returned on the morning after. When we arrived, there were unexpected twists that we all just took on with good cheer and worked around, like not being able to settle into Steve and Eunice’s house, and the gas and water being turned off at the couples’ apartments, etc. We learned to work together really quickly as the pace felt like a mission trip with our first Bible study happening the night after we arrived. I was really impressed by how quickly the brothers’ house could be settled in and used for our work with many similarities to Dana House as we quickly unloaded all the boxes and furniture, lined all the cabinets and closets, vacuumed, cooked, and cleaned. Besides settling in at home, we also made runs to K-town, grocery shopping, Ikea, Home Depot, and many other places as we filled up carload after carload of necessary supplies. We also had a prayer walk on campus and had the opportunity to meet a few students even though they were preparing for finals. A handful of new people and two UCR students even showed up at our service on Sunday. I had a lot of fun in the process getting to see the whole place come together, building a houseload of furniture, and helping organize their new sound room. The whole time, all the team members and helpers approached the work with so much joy and quickness, never leaving a moment boring or empty. I feel like I barely did anything personally, but it was truly a team effort as we worked hard to put on a successful first Bible study and Sunday worship service. As we worked, it felt a lot like bringing a piece of the church here in Berkeley down to Riverside as we had helpers from every ministry group and we lived in such close community. The brothers’ house started to really feel like home although we slept on the floor a lot and the food and fellowship were never better. I will really miss the team members there as we’ve had years of relationships built up and my prayer for them is that they will continue to be faithful and wholeheartedly serving God as they were these first few days in Riverside.
Thanks for sharing. I definitely want to follow Jin’s example and many of the brothers&sisters who were helping out. To be able to see the situation and where help is needed, move quickly, and just serve others with joy. This is the spirit of servanthood that we should all follow.
Jin is a jin-tleman!
I agree with Myra
This is something that I’m also very challenged and inspired by, especially with so many precious brothers and sisters who left for our church plants!
Thank you for the post, Allen. I agree with him and I think all of us on the Riverside team are so thankful for everyone who came down to help us move in. I am thankful for each of the helpers as they were so willing to do whatever task needed. Many of the tasks were so menial but they all did it with such a cheerful attitude and with so much eagerness. Having so many familiar faces around also made the transition to Riverside much easier. Thank you for all your help!!
It was such a blessing to see the church in action. Being a helper was a privilege to see our church hit the ground running. It really did feel like mission trip mode…but it really struck me…the helpers were all leaving this mission trip mode very soon, but for the church planters this mode doesn’t end. It really made me think about my perspective on my own life in the comforts of the Berkeley church. Why is it that I feel like I can stop this mission trip mode when my brothers and sisters are enduring and going for the long haul….shouldn’t I have the same attitude back at home? Seeing the examples of my brothers and sisters forced me to reevaluate, repent, and recommit to striving and working together alongside of them.
We are praying for you…Riverside as well as all the other church plants!
GO RIVERSIDIANS!!!
where is your riverside church plant?
It was really good to actually be in this living room, doing DT and having breakfast together! Everyone should visit and be encouraged as we were.
I’m so excited for all of our brothers and sisters who are partaking in this church plant, and feel so honored to be a part of this spreading Acts2 community! It’s definitely not easy to build an Act2 church, but I’m thankful for the vision that was cast for us to do whatever we can to try!!
That was such a memorable trip! I’ll be praying for you guys in Riverside. Go Highlanders =)
We miss you guys! I’m praying for you all!
awesome story!
we miss you! see you soon at gracepoint riverside!
it was a great drive down with you guys! i hope to visit again soon. miss you guys and will be praying for you!
Thank you for your prayers! Miss you all!
Wow can’t believe welcome week is already happening..
It’ll be great to be down at gracepoint riverside for the Welcome Night! See you soon!
thanks for sharing allen! As i read your post again i am reminded of how much I am loved and prayed over and i spurs me on to give it my all here at Gracepoint Riverside!
can’t believe the move happened only 3 months ago, and that our first NSWN is just around the corner! praying for you guys!
praying for riverside for the NSWN next week!
one more week!
miss you guys! Austin bros want a rematch in water bball!