Hospitality and Worship

Templo Casa De Dulzura is more than just a ministry site served by attendees to Lantern Hill, it is the home congregation for the team at Lantern Hill. The structure is basically a box, a large rectangular building with brightly painted walls (thanks to a recent visit from a group of American teens), and a large raised platform at one end. Front and center is a large podium (pulpit) faded with age and bearing no adornment. A well-worn upright piano sits next to the platform. As I take a seat in the recycled theater seats (comfy, but with the cup holders removed), I notice that along the ceiling line behind the pulpit, I can see daylight coming in between the roof and the walls.

In my mind, I can't help but think of the dozens of "church" meetings I've sat through in my ministry career, where the central focus has been on upkeep to the physical plant (structure), even at the sacrifice of the ministry that the building houses. Hmmm... I wish I had a few of those council members with me today.

What made the whole morning memorable was not the physical space, however (again, hmmm....) but instead the hospitality of the people. Many could not speak a word of American english, but they expressed their sincere welcome and hospitality in ways I have rarely experienced in many American churches. EVERY member spoke to us...granted it is not a large congregation.

The music was uplifting, provided by Lantern Hill founders JJ & Abby, playing alongside Samuel & Gabby, two Mexican brothers who are also the pastors sons. All of the lyrics were sung in Mexican spanish of course, and a young man (9 yeras old) named Julio, stood beside me, pointing out the pages and the lyrics in a hand-made, three ring binder. Fluent in english and spanish, he made the whole experience truly special for me.

In all my posts to this blog it has never been my intention to romanticize any of what I have experienced. But this was yet again one of those situations where I couldn't help but think to myself how much we could learn in the states from our sisters and brothers here in Mexico. Their economic realities dictated that their physical space was NOT the priority, but I woinder if it would be, even if they had a few more financial resources? Instead, their hospitality, passion and Spirit-filled focus was on the sharing of the Gospel, and the various ways they lived that out.