James Denham

"Southwest Central has been a gift to me.  It has been a gift to find welcome and hospitality.  It has been a gift to find a place that welcomes the chaplain and playful sort that I am.  It has been a gift to find a place to smile and to laugh.  I have so many stories- of Halloweens I have dressed as the Mad Hatter, of evenings reading a children's book to our kids, of laughing over Sunday lunch, of laughing over God's workings in my world with church friends, of finding true friendship and support here.  And I have found great calling and true joy with the children of this church in whom I see God.

In other words, at Southwest I received the gift of life (among many other things).  And God is reflected in this gift.  I see God at this church.  I see God in a Wednesday night where we provide food for people at church and for the poor children and families across the street.  I see God in the face of a child who reads Scripture.  I see God in the provision of a song in sign language by a teen.  I have seen God in the care for babies and children at Seeds and Roots.  I have seen God in the willingness to listen by widows and pastors, by teens and couples.  I have seen God through the many gifts of its women.  I see God in a church that loves its gifts- that asks its own to preach, to teach, to pray, and to serve and welcomes all people.  I see God in a church that knows how to cook and how to eat.  I see God in the bright smiles and welcoming hugs.   I see God in a church that gathers for an Advent service to call Lord come.  I see God in a church that gathers its men and women in prayer services and commits to being a prayerful church.  I see God, and have experienced him, all over this church."