He Moves.

For my first week of church hopping, I chose a popular church among San Clemente locals: Zion Church. After a recent move to the Talega area just off of Avenida Pico, Zion Church hosts three full services in their intimate auditorium. I attended the 9:30am service on the first Sunday under their new summer hours, offering thirty minutes more to sleep in, which I greatly appreciated. Walking up, it was really sweet to see all the little ones with bright orange popsicles quickly dripping in their hands and chasing after friends. The multitude of young families offered so much community and made it a really welcoming environment.

I didn’t get a chance to hear their head pastor, Jon Krist, speak as they were launching a very exciting series called Summer Voices. The series will feature guest speakers to lead Sunday service for the next couple of weeks. Today’s guest speaker was Dr. Bill Dogterum from Vanguard University. I was really excited to hear him speak as my Grandpa was on the board of Vanguard University for many years, and I always enjoy hearing his colleagues speak! The newly retired professor read from Matthew 28:16-20, the famous Great Commission.

He opened with this question: “How would Jesus live my life if he were me?” Using the outline given to us in the Great Commission passage, Dr. Dogterum gave a simple answer with a truly compelling explanation. It’s really easy to take Matthew 28 at its literal word, and he emphasized that we should; however, he highlighted the fact that everything Jesus did and all that God is, is love. When we are called to make disciples of Jesus, we are called to love someone as Christ has loved us so that that person, in observing your character, is turned towards Christ. The love they see in you, they recognize as the love of Christ.

Baptism is a common word today, but I didn’t realize that it was a common term that even the disciples would have understood. Dr. Dogterum explained that it was common language to use when dyeing a piece of fabric. That baptism is when the water seeps fully into the submerged cloth so that the color is also evenly spread throughout. In the same way, baptizing as a Christian today is to be baptized into the full immersion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as a new believer. He describes that as Christians, we are now filled with the Love that is God. The Great Commission is the call to display that same love to other non-believers in the hope that they are drawn to that love and want to become disciples and believers of Christ too.

He wrapped up his sermon with this simple call to action, “Why did God make you a disciple? You know people he doesn’t yet, and He wants you to introduce him… The world isn’t saved by everyone going to church; it’s saved when the church starts going to the people.”

I left feeling super encouraged by his message. It was such an empowering reminder that Christ and God’s love lives inside of me, and it is such a gift to be able to pour into others around me. Especially those who don’t know God.

Speaking of fulfilling the Great Commission, I was thrilled to learn more about Zion Church’s foster care and adoption initiative! Partnering with Foster All, the church believes, “That it is the responsibility of the church to take ownership and care for the children in our community who are in need of a safe and loving home.” Together with the resources from Foster All, parents are encouraged and provided with the resources for a successful foster/adoption journey. This initiative is one of many local ministries Zion is a part of and supports. Their website offers a great directory to easily volunteer or get involved with other local ministries!