Three churches, one Savior, and a beautiful reminder of how God changes communities.
This morning, Tommy and I attended church just a few blocks from our RVICS home base in Smithville, Texas. Our congregation at Abundant Grace joined believers from First Presbyterian Church and First United Methodist Church for a combined worship service.
As I looked around the sanctuary, I couldn’t help but smile.
We came from different churches, different backgrounds, and different traditions. Some worship a little differently than others. Some prefer hymns. Some prefer contemporary music. Yet for a couple of hours, none of those differences mattered.
We were simply brothers and sisters in Christ gathered beneath the same cross.
In today’s world, that’s a beautiful thing.
It sometimes feels like division is everywhere we look. Social media thrives on it. Politics fuels it. Families struggle with it. Even churches find themselves separated by issues that can overshadow what matters most.
But Jesus prayed for unity among His followers. Not uniformity. Not agreement on every secondary issue. Unity.
This morning reminded me of what that can look like.
We enjoyed worship music by musicians from both congregations, and it filled the sanctuary with joy and gratitude. Pastor Holt shared a message titled It’s a Set Up, based on the book of Daniel.
Daniel’s enemies were jealous of him and wanted to get rid of him. The problem was that they couldn’t find anything wrong with his work or his character. So, they devised a different plan. By appealing to King Darius’s pride, they convinced him to sign a law requiring everyone to pray only to the king for thirty days.
Their real target was Daniel.
They knew he would never stop praying to God, and once the law was signed, they reported him for breaking it. Bound by his own decree, the king reluctantly sent Daniel to the lions’ den.
But what Daniel’s enemies meant for harm, God used for good.
God shut the mouths of the lions, and Daniel emerged unharmed. The very trap his enemies had set for him ultimately became the means by which God demonstrated His power and faithfulness.
The message was a powerful reminder that we can trust God even when circumstances seem impossible. We don’t need to seek revenge or settle scores ourselves. God is fully capable of defending His people, and His plans are always greater than those of those who oppose Him.
As I listened to Pastor Holt’s message, I couldn’t help but think about some of the political battles taking place in our country today. Regardless of where we stand politically, history shows that people often react strongly when someone threatens the status quo. Daniel faced opposition not because he was corrupt or incompetent, but because he was effective and refused to compromise his convictions.
While no modern political figure is perfect, the story serves as a reminder that criticism, attacks, and even unfair treatment are not new. God’s people are called to stay focused on truth, trust God with the outcome, and remember that He remains in control no matter what headlines dominate the news cycle.
As the message concluded, I looked around the room and saw people who might attend different churches on most Sundays yet were worshiping together as one body of believers.
After the service, everyone gathered for a lunch buffet and fellowship. Conversations flowed easily. New friendships were formed. Old friendships were strengthened. There was laughter, encouragement, and a genuine sense of community.
Somewhere between the worship service and the dessert table, I found myself thinking about how much our world needs examples like this.
The Church is at its best when we remember that we are on the same team.
That doesn’t mean every church will do everything the same way. Different congregations have different strengths, ministries, and ways of serving their communities. Those differences can actually strengthen the larger body of Christ when we approach one another with humility and grace.
What unites us is infinitely more important than what distinguishes us.
We all serve the same Savior.
We all depend on the same grace.
We all carry the same mission of sharing the hope of Jesus with a hurting world.
That’s why gatherings like today’s matter.
They remind us that God’s Kingdom is much larger than any single congregation, denomination, or church building. They remind us that while we may worship in different places on Sunday mornings, we belong to the same family.
Watching three congregations worship together reminded me that unity isn’t just a nice idea. It’s something God repeatedly calls His people to pursue.
Jesus told His followers that they are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13–16). Salt preserves. Light shines. Neither accomplishes much if it remains hidden away.
Before returning to Heaven, Jesus gave His followers what we know as the Great Commission, instructing them to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20). That mission wasn’t given to one church, one denomination, or one pastor. It was given to all believers.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would empower His people to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Paul later reminded us that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
And in Galatians 6:9–10, believers are encouraged not to grow weary in doing good, but to continue serving others and caring for those around them.
When I look at those verses together, I see a common thread.
God never intended for His people to sit on the sidelines.
He calls us to serve, to love, to share the Gospel, to help those in need, and to work together in accomplishing His purposes.
That was the beauty of what I witnessed this morning.
After worship and before Pastor Holt’s message, the children were invited to the front of the church for a lesson involving the cutest puppet you’ve ever seen. Through questions, answers, and lots of participation, the Trinity was explained in a way the children could understand.
It was beautiful.
Our kids need more Jesus, not less. Watching churches come together while teaching children about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in such a simple and meaningful way filled my heart with hope.
The Church has the power to change the world, but we are strongest when we work together.
As Tommy and I headed home after lunch, I found myself thanking God for what we had experienced.
The headlines constantly remind us of what divides people.
This morning reminded me of what can unite them.
Unity and community are still the way the Church can change the world.
I hope and pray that if your community doesn’t have a ministerial alliance or something similar with the same purpose, you’ll be the match that lights that fire. Reach out to your pastors. Reach out to your neighbors. Look for opportunities to serve together instead of separately.
Sharing God’s love and helping those in need is one of the most powerful ways to open hearts and change minds.
Maybe the Church doesn’t need more arguments, more competition, or more walls between congregations.
Maybe we simply need more mornings like this one—believers gathering beneath one cross, serving one Savior, teaching the next generation about Jesus, and remembering that we’re all part of the same family.
Join me, won’t you?
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