It’s been over a month since the Safe House International Faith Fellowship. It was such an experience. I really haven’t been able to put into words the feeling that engulfed the gathering. Each of the speakers really sat in God’s presence and delivered HIS word and not something that would make them go viral. For years I was searching for a place I felt safe to worship. Church has not always been a safe place for me. So when I joined one after 15 years of not attending at all only to have to deal with petty drama with church leadership, I was deeply disappointed.
That disappointment led me to starting something where people could talk and learn about the Bible but in a safe place of refuge. That’s where Soul Stimulators Sanctuary came in. Then I started ministry school a few months later. Soul Stimulators eventually was shuttered yet all the content I created I’ve shared on this blog.
So, to hear about Safe House a few months ago, I just knew I needed to be there. I live in the Chicago area now so getting to South Bend is literally a train ride away. Just like Mantles I attended by myself. Funny thing is I met people from Houston there. One of them and I still keep in touch.
I went with the intention to really let God speak to me through His chosen vessels. To hear what I needed to hear solely to break whatever was on my family. The end of November my family did get a reprieve with a very serious legal matter. God definitely came through for us on that.
As the days and weeks went by I wanted to write about my experience and have yet to find the words. I just know that what I prayed for and tried to create even though it didn’t work for me to lead it that God was preparing a space for people like me to know that church is supposed to be a safe place. That He was moving people into position to visibly speak up about the lack of safety in the church.
I’m glad God led me on this path this year. It’s been one I feel has pushed me further than all the years I grew up in church. I look forward to seeing how God uses the ones He’s chosen to use their platforms to speak up about the lack of churches being a refuge and calling out predators in the pulpit so more people will find a safe sanctuary to worship in.
Below I created a playlist of the sermons from Safe House International Faith Fellowship. It’s just easier if you listen to God’s word yourself and receive His message than reading my interpretation of how I felt sitting through each sermon and afterwards.
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