Greater Life

The following Saturday I received a call from a member of Greater Life. MaryCris is the Worship Leader and coordinates carpooling to Gilford. We arranged to meet outside Queens near Botanic Ave.

Sunday came and at 1330 I sat on the wall facing Queens. After 1340 I decided to move down the street closer to the Botanic Gardens. Sure enough, a grey Vauxhall pulled up, its front seat passenger was scanning the path for someone. I stepped forward and identified myself. Driving the car was a woman from Zimbabwe, named Goodrun. MaryCris was from the Philippines and 11 year old Peace was from South Africa.

The drive to Gilford took nearly 40 minutes, probably shorted by Goodrun’s ‘lead foot’. We took the M2 out of Belfast and drove through Moira, Lurgan, and Gilford. The church itself is situated in between two hills in the countryside. It is a long white cement building divided between the parsonage and chapel. Most of the equipment and furniture within the chapel was sent from Headquarters in Illinois. Due in part to the feeling that I had just stepped into a home missions church in rural America.

The atmosphere was amazing. I must be said that the moment I walked through the threshold I knew I had found my church. It may be in part of the familiar surrounds and music, but mostly due to the sweet spirit of the Holy Ghost that just permeated every corner. The worship service was very simple. Piano, bass, and guitar played songs in the style Matt Redmond. If you listen carefully you can pick out all the voices. Cooke has a very sweet and light soprano voice that compliments the tenor voice of her husband, Miguel. voice Bro. Larry’s rich baritone voice carried the harmony in a thick Rwandan accent. Goodrun is hard to miss, she paces the front singing boldly. At first I began singing hesitantly, but after the second line of ‘How Great is Our God’ I got carried away and started belting it out with everyone there. I thought I could be very low key about my love for singing, until MaryCris fell ill and had no replacement for leading worship. Before I knew it, I was up on the platform plunking on a YAMAHA and attempting to lead songs. They are a very forgiving congregation and tolerate my lack of ability.

Even on my worst day, spending time at Greater Life leaves me feeling complete.