Who could have predicted a gun would advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ? I mean Lord , you could have chosen another way, right?
"If I leave this world today, I know where I’m headed! Do you know where you’ll be? Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?"
ENCOURAGE CHURCH: The Beginning
Encourage Church started in my home with just one family, and soon a few more joined. Eventually, the Cleveland School Board granted us permission to rent a school building. Our mission was simple yet powerful: to share the love of Jesus with young African-American men in the neighborhood. We were cautioned by a local police captain about the difficulties of the area and even advised to consider a different location. But we felt called to be here, and I had already moved my family to the area. We were committed to making a difference.
One of my first encounters was finding three young men in my minivan as I walked back to the parking lot after a meeting. Yep, they were trying to steal it! I clicked the alarm on my keys, and they scattered, jumping over each other to get away. As they ran off, I shouted, “Wait, guys—I’m starting a church here next week!” That was my mindset!
Encourage Church: They Came
For weeks, we met with a small group, and doubt started creeping in. Did I hear God right? Was this worth it? Then, out of nowhere, it happened. Three months into low turnout, over 50 young men from the neighborhood showed up one Sunday. We started using the gym for basketball games each week, which kept them coming back and allowed us to form connections. High school, college, and even some pro athletes joined us, and the competition was high. My background as a former pro player helped me connect with them on the court. We prayed, shared teachings, and provided food, growing to about 125 guys. Eventually, I had to get uniforms, keep score, and even hire referees to keep things organized.
Encourage Church: The Challenge
The biggest challenge was wanting to provide more spiritual guidance for these young men. While playing, they often asked about God, church hypocrisy, relationships, and life struggles. They’d seek advice on everything from relationships and college to handling conflict and STDs. Nothing was off-limits! God was clearly at work, and I didn’t want to risk pushing them away with a “churchy service” (even though some volunteers hoped for one). I wanted them to experience the joy and peace that I had found in Jesus. So, I prayed for an opportunity to reach them on a deeper level… a prayer I soon learned to be careful with.
Encourage Church: The Gunshots
About a year and a half in, a young man came in for the first time. After receiving a warm welcome from our senior ladies at the entrance, he joined in. No one knew he had a gun in his bag. After about 45 minutes of playing, tensions were high.
Let’s pause for a second.
As a former athlete, I’m familiar with the intensity and occasional arguments that come with the game. But I sensed something different in this young man—he felt disrespected, and for him, that meant taking action.
Now, back to the story.
I saw him run to his bag and reach in. I stepped in front of him, probably not the wisest move, but he assured me, “Nah, Pastor Mark, I’m just getting my shirt.” We kept playing, but my gut told me something would happen. And then it did! He went back to his bag, others ran to the exits to grab their own weapons, and as he gave me one last look, he dashed out with the gun in hand. Shots rang out, and everyone scattered.
Encourage Church: The Prayer
In that intense moment, I remembered my prayer for an opportunity to impact lives. There I was, with 45 young men, all panicked and looking to me for guidance. This was the moment. I said, “If I leave this world today, I know where I’m headed! What about you?” It was one of the quickest yet most impactful invitations to know Jesus. Thankfully, the high school’s police department responded immediately. Our cars had bullet holes, but no one was hurt. God’s protection was real that day, and the prayer I had lifted for an opportunity to share the Gospel was answered powerfully.
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