Fellowship

This past week our family took a lengthy and fruitful road trip out to Moscow, ID for Grace Agenda 2023.  To say that our time there was amazing is a vast understatement.  We arrived last Thursday morning and were greeted by our gracious hosts for the weekend.  Frank and Sheri were generous, hospitable, and their home was beautiful with a view of the rolling wheat fields that are prevalent throughout northern Idaho.

That same day we were able to set up our booth for the conference and then attended the live episode of the Cross Politic podcast.  The 400 seat theater was packed and the scene was full of excitement.  It was wonderful to be reunited with some folks that we had met previously, this summer, in Ogden, UT.  

Friday morning brought a buzz of excitement (and maybe some nervousness) as our family and our friend, Matt, split up into three groups to serve coffee at the Men’s, Women’s, and Teen’s seminars.  We were thrilled that people loved our coffee and kept coming back for more. It was a delight to listen into the Women’s seminar and to hear Nancy Wilson, Rebekah Merkle, and Rachel Jancovic speak.

On Friday afternoon, the main conference began, and between the five of us grinding coffee, brewing coffee, serving coffee, taking orders, and talking to conference goers, we barely had time to breathe let alone sit down.  The line to our booth was usually four lines and the length of the vendor hall.   It was exhausting and incredible. 

Saturday was day two of the main conference and with it came another day of running to and fro to get coffee ready to serve to the attendees and making connections that will forever be etched in our minds.  

One of the most incredible aspects of our weekend in Idaho was the Grace Agenda Block Party held on Saturday evening.  Three city blocks were completely roped off and shut down for the block party.  It began with a singing of the Doxology.  I can not sufficiently describe how hundreds of voices, rising up in song to the Lord, strikes a person’s heart.  The food there was plentiful and extremely delicious.  There were so many choices from tri-tip and cornbread, nachos, and pizza to berry pie, cake, and strawberry shortcake, and so much more.  The community aspect was contagious.  People who we barely knew, but knew us as “the Reformation Coffee people” stopped us to chat and tell us how much they loved our coffee.  At one point, a group of people broke out in Psalm singing and like wildfire, it spread throughout the crowd.  You could truly see the body of Christ in action at this event.  

On the Lord’s day we attended two services, one at Christ Church with Pastor Doug Wilson, and the other at Kings Cross with Pastor Toby Sumpter.  Both services were full of psalms, scripture, and true worship of our Lord.  

After church, we had lunch hosted by our friends the Sumpter’s. There were 5 pastors and their families attending as well as other lovely people. Once again we lifted our voices up in the Doxology followed by a prayer of thanksgiving. The company was beautiful and the food was outstanding. 

Why am I telling you all this?  Well for one, I wanted to give you a glimpse into the beauty of Christian fellowship of like minded believers. Sometimes we feel alone in the world. Sometimes we feel like we are striving with no outcome. This weekend was proof that we are not alone. There were people that came from all over the country to join together in unity and a desire to serve our King, Jesus. This weekend was a blessing beyond measure as a business owner but first and foremost as a believer in Christ. To God be the glory!

“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭