There are many groups and classes that the men at Walker Faith and Character join and attend regularly, not just for themselves but for others as well. For their families, their communities, and for the volunteers who share the passion and commitment that they do. Big Brother Youth Ministry and Malachi Dads have different objectives, as far as what they teach, but they share a vision of the power found in faith, growth, and dedication.
Ironically, they also share an affinity for food. Put out a memo that there will be food at an event, and the vibration in the room rises from a whisper to a whirlwind! Pastor Rob Coones and his congregation at Christian Temple in North Carolina traveled down to Walker Faith and Character on Thursday April 4th for an opportunity to fellowship with their brothers over a light meal. Pastor Rob was emphatic about that" we are brothers in his eyes and he made a point to mention it frequently, but back to that later.
What made this small event for BBYM and Malachi Dads members so impactful was the food offered. Or to be more specific, the food for thought. After everyone had eaten, Darren Moore grabbed everyone’s attention and began to praise God with a round of applause. On the behalf of everyone, he thanked Pastor Rob, the other volunteers, and Chaplain Page for their help and support. Beyond the food and fun, they contribute so much behind the scenes for both BBYM and Malachi Dads, that he wanted to make sure that they felt our appreciation.
Pastor Rob was just as enthused as we were that he had returned for another visit to Walker Faith and Character, saying “There is no place I’d rather be.” He went on to say that it is always a joy for him to be surrounded by the body of Christ. “What is the body of Christ?” he asked before answering simply that it is “you and I.” The body of Christ consists of those who choose to act on righteous living, rather than those who just speak about righteousness. The analogy he gave to personify this left the room in awe. He told the story of a fellow preacher he met who imparted on him wisdom he lives by to this day. The preacher shared with him that it is much easier for someone to preach ten sermons than it is for someone to live just one.
Pastor Rob wanted everyone in the room to understand the difference between someone who uses their “mouthpiece” to convince people of their beliefs vs. someone who uses their actions to do so. He repeated over and over “Brothers, wake up! In the spiritual realm, brothers in Christ are not recognized by race and color, by place of birth or social status, but by their devotion to following Jesus,” he said. He implored everyone to share what we have learned" to take this knowledge from our journeys back into our communities and bring people together.
His message to the room was to answer the calling of reaching out to others" to light a path to God for others. “God needs us. God needs you.” Because, according to him, when you share in God’s blessing, God extends even more blessings than you could previously have imagined., which means God is extended into the lives of more and more people. Pastor Rob posed this message in the form of a challenge, a challenge to begin our ministries now, instead of waiting until after our release. He encouraged us to foster harmony and to lift our brothers up with “a servant’s heart.”
There was another story Pastor Rob told us before he concluded speaking. He spoke about a deceased pastor who revealed to others before he died that he had figured out the key principle of living in general, and more specifically living abundantly. “The House of Plenty,” as Pastor Rob phrased it, is the home of he who God favors with prosperity. The front door is wide open and everything a person could want is pouring in. In order to continue seeing things pour in that front door, the key is to simultaneously have the back door open and to give out those same gifts from God just as fast as they arrive. Simply put, share God’s blessings with others and there will be no end to the blessings you receive, or the joy you experience as a result.
Despite the delicious meal I had only just finished eating, I was starving for more of what Pastor Rob had to say. I was struck by the simplicity of his message and how it applied to things I do every day. Things I could begin doing right then and there, long before I reached my release date.
—Joshua Cook
Staff Writer