In 1985, when Shepherd Community Center first began to offer hope and support for people trapped in the cycle of poverty, Google didn’t exist—neither did Amazon nor Facebook. Much has changed in the past 35 years as Shepherd Community has learned, adapted, and grown in serving its neighbors on the east side of Indianapolis. Yet much remains the same.

“God is on the Move” is the name of a song, yes, but for my wife, Terri, and me, it became an anthem. As the lead pastor at Connect Church in a small community of Northern Oklahoma, I’m glad I can tell this story.

Beyond a sliding metal gate is a basketball court, converted from its former life as a driveway. Past the basketball hoops is a new play structure, and to the right of both is a two-story brick house surrounded by brightly painted walls. Joshua,* 18, helped paint a horse on one of the walls, and Daniel, 14, painted a school of orange fish.

I would like to take a moment and introduce you to someone . . . me! The youngest of five children, I grew up in a Christian home with a father who was a minister. I was a good kid growing up but always felt drawn to push the envelope. I played sports and had the opportunity to play at the collegiate level, but I felt more drawn to prove that I could make it on my own. So I decided to join the US Army and became an airborne medic with the 82nd Airborne Division.

When it comes to personal stories of salvation, a backdrop of intercession is significant to the process of transformation. To intercede means to stand in the gap for someone else. Salvation history is made when people prayerfully stand in the gap for someone they love. In that regard, one could say that to intercede is to love and to love is to intercede.

I have fond childhood memories of testimony time at our weekly church services. The same people testified every week and said the same thing every time—even the kids. I had my testimony memorized so I wouldn’t forget anything. I still remember it. While comparing notes with a co-worker in my building the other day, I learned that her childhood testimony sounded pretty much like mine! The testimony tradition continued in my experience at a Nazarene college.

Having listened intently to the minister, Jim began examining his life. The talk of intimacy with God touched a nerve that revealed his inner need. During the question and answer session, Jim couldn’t remain silent. Rising to his feet, he explained that many years ago, he had given his life to Jesus. He said, “I have done everything I should do. I have attended church, been faithful to Bible reading and prayer, and financial giving to my church. Yet, I have rarely experienced intimacy with God. I have most often felt relational distance rather than a relational connection with God.”

One of the most powerful stories of a life-changing encounter with Jesus in the New Testament is the story of the two disciples on the road to the town of Emmaus on the day of the resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:13-35). Although this is a unique story, it has become an example of the journey of grace for many—certainly for me.

As the son of a Nazarene pastor, I grew up hearing the church sing the hymn “Wonderful Grace of Jesus.” I can still hear the words: “Higher than the heavens, deeper than the sea; Greater than my guilt, nailed to the cross; Grace that satisfies the soul with full salvation, Grace that leads to heaven; It is the wonderful grace of Jesus.”¹ The worship leader would hold the hymnal open in one hand and enthusiastically wave the other, encouraging the congregation. The choir would divide into two groups, their voices intensified as they sang the words in rounds.

The “Journey of Grace” is an invitation to experience a life of transformational power that changes a person from a life of sin to a life of grace—a life of unconditional and undeserved favor of God that is revealed to all who follow Him.