Ask Kate

Last Sunday in worship I included the story of Katie Heintz, a 16 year old who fought a valiant battle against leukemia and taught many lessons of faith along the way. This reflection will be about another Kate.

This Kate was “dragged” to church by her parents when she was 14 or 15 years old. The word “dragged” is almost literal. I remember the first time I met her. It was clear that she didn’t want to be there, or to have any part of this whole “Christianity” thing. Kate was feisty and was clear about her feelings. She would be as disinterested as possible when she arrived. She didn’t participate in worship. She slumped in her seat when I preached and as soon as the service was over, she nearly sprinted out the door.

Every Sunday I greeted Kate as if she was my long lost friend. Our Youth Pastor did the same and engaged her in conversation. Her parents were embarrassed by her responses and her seeming disdain for the whole thing. But every time Katie showed up we “loved on her.”

Over the course of time the Holy Spirit broke through Kate’s external armor. She let down her guard. She began to tease with me some, and later actually began to greet me like she was happy to see me. She hung around after church and talked with people. She slowly began to listen and participate. Don’t get me wrong, she didn’t do it enthusiastically, just with less anger!

Eventually, Kate fell in love with Jesus and came to worship with a zest and enthusiasm that far exceeded the negativity she had previously displayed. Kate has graduated from college and is embracing a career in the Chicago area. She lives in the city, but periodically she and her boyfriend make the trek to the suburbs for worship at ECRC. A young woman who had to be “dragged” to worship, now goes through the hassle of driving to the “burbs” to attend!

This is a tribute to the transformative power of God’s love. When God’s people “…love others as they love themselves,” lives are transformed. It wasn’t one person who helped Kate embrace Jesus. It was the body of Christ, all loving as Christ loved, that made a difference. Kate’s parents loved her enough to make her come to worship and be in the presence of God’s love, and God’s love overwhelmed her.

Recently one of our staff members shared some research that indicates that only 2% of church members have ever invited a person who hasn’t embraced Christ to worship. The same research also indicated that 88% of non-Christians would be open to that kind of invitation.

Really? All we would have to do would be to invite people to worship and that might be life transforming?

Ask Kate.

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