The Supreme Council of the House of Jacob in a Radiohead t-shirt

[Tony]After 180 on Sunday morning, I decided to come back to the pad to relax. I initially had a strong desire to take a righteous nap before Sanctuary, however, I also felt God asking me to use my time to go wandering. So, I gave God my feet and started walking. I actually had thought a few days earlier that it might be in my own interest, and the interest of those of us here in the house, to get involved in a church community here in our neighborhood. So, I began my walk hoping to come across a church close by for us to try down the road. I walked down the street, and immediately walked by a church called “the Supreme Council of the House of Jacob.” There were a whole bunch of people outside who were dressed up in suits and dresses and I almost walked straight in. However, since I hadn’t even walked far enough to not see my own bedroom, I decided to keep walking. I walked a few blocks, through some houses, parks, and around Dayton’s Bluff Elementary School. Oh, how the hood comes alive on Sunday afternoons. People were out walking, like me, saying hello as they walked by. There were a whole bunch of people out exercising in the football field and as a rounding the corner and heading back to my house I noticed that some of the people who were outside of the church were sitting across the street listening to the football game. I decided to start a conversation and asked them if they went to the church I mentioned earlier. They said they were and started talking all about it. They told me it was a non-denominational Christian church, asked me where I was from, where I went to church, if I was trying to find a new church home, and then told me that they had a service starting at three o’clock. Then they insisted that I come in with them. Keep in mind that I was wearing blue jeans, a Radiohead t-shirt, and a baby blue bandana while they were wearing suits and ties. I asked if I would be okay and they told me that I could wear whatever I wanted. So, I went inside and sat by my new friend who told me to call him “Bonzo.” To say the least, I got my fair share of attention when I walked in with Bonzo, considering the blue jeans and Radiohead t-shirt and the fact that I was the only white person in the entire congregation. The worship that was happening was so alive and electric. People were dancing in the aisles and singing as loud as they could for their God. There were only a select few song books floating around, but as soon as people noticed their new visitor, the song books started migrating my way. I sang with them and I clapped and swayed with the rhythm and then I listened to the speakers. At the end there was a time for members of the church to “testify” before the congregation. The last person to testify finished his prayer with this praise “Dear God we thank you for bringing us a new visitor. He didn’t know any of our songs but he was trying so hard to sing with us and praise you, so we thank you for bringing him to us today.” Then he looked at me and said “Brother, would you like to testify today?” To say the least, I was not ready for that one. I hesitated for a second and then told him that maybe I would in a few weeks but first I wanted to get to know them. Bonzo leaned over and told me that that was a good answer. After the service a whole bunch of people came over and introduced themselves and told me to come back with my roommates, which I fully intend on doing ….