Names have been changed in this story

He loves music, drawing and architecture. Before his brain injury, Gerry had a career as a building designer. Mikal and other leaders at the Special Needs Ministry community group could see how Gerry’s previous expertise continues to give him an appreciation for details others don’t notice. She could also sense that Gerry had a negative experience with church – he resisted the topics of spirituality and God.

Despite his avoidance of all things church and faith, it isn’t uncommon to see Gerry sitting, observing and sketching throughout different parts of Central Campus. That’s where he hangs out on various days throughout the week and attends Mikal’s Special Needs Ministry community group. It’s a group that has been silently ministering to Gerry’s heart. Not through any preaching. Not through any formal Bible studies. But through love, community and even surprisingly, through the building itself.

“He is always amazed about the architectural detail of the building and he loves painting it,” says Mikal who founded the group and originally ran it for 17 years at the Golden Age Club. It was a place for seniors and people with disabilities from all backgrounds and beliefs to gather and experience warmth and community. One day, the program was abruptly shut down. Many participants were devastated, including Gerry and his friend Lisa.

But God works in mysterious ways. “Gerry would never otherwise have set foot in a church,” said Mikal who had invited him to Christmas concerts and orchestras at CSC… “and each time he said, “No… no Christmas.” I felt that something negative must have happened to him when he was younger going to church. He wasn’t open to faith. So I let it go.”

But one year the drop-in program hosted its first Christmas party at Central Campus and the moment Gerry and Lisa came into the building, they were blown away. After the program was shut down at the Golden Age Club, Mikal arranged to have it moved to Centre Street Church under the Special Needs Ministry.

For Gerry, it was the architecture of the building that became a safe gateway to church. Lisa, who is mute, was also attracted to the CSC church building but for different reasons. “She is a hyperactive person. You can’t make her sit on a chair and follow a program,” observes Mikal. “Instead she likes to wander around and discover things.” Mikal recalls how challenging it was for her group home to take Lisa to the mall because it wasn’t safe for her. “The moment she comes into this building she has the freedom of discovering without putting herself in danger.” It isn’t uncommon to find Lisa in the worship centre or Children’s Ministry.

One day Mikal had been panicking because she couldn’t find Lisa. At last, she found her sitting outside the Appleseed bookstore listening to music on the supplied earphones. “Come! Come,” gestured Lisa to Mikal. “You have to listen to this,” she mouthed. “What are you listening to?” asked Mikal. Lisa handed her the earphones and Mikal took a listen.

In Christ alone my hope is found… He is my light, my strength, my song… the worship lyrics flooded Mikal’s ears and heart with joy. “I was in tears,” recalled Mikal. Not long after she saw Lisa sitting in the worship centre by herself with a Daily Bread Bible study guide that she had picked up in the foyer. She helped herself to a Bible and was reading it with the Daily Bread.

“For me it’s a miracle,” says Mikal. She thinks about how long she had been praying for program participants without a faith background, like Gerry and Lisa. Finding ways to share Christ with people in a program attended by secular caregivers and clients is not always easy… sometimes there is no better way of sharing God’s love except loving them. “And yet, God is reaching them in His own ways. I don’t have to worry about programs or preaching. He created them. He knows them personally by name and He knows exactly how to touch their hearts.”

In Gerry’s case, God speaks through architecture and beauty. Often when the sun is out, Gerry will sit, watch and do some sketching of the garden. “It’s a soothing, healing place for us,” observes Mikal. One day, Gerry had artfully written some giant letters in his sketchbook. “Can I see it?” Mikal asked?

“Yes,” agreed Gerry opening the book two a two-page spread. The words spelled GOD. “Oh my goodness!” Mikal gasped. “Gerry what is this?!”

Gerry paused for a moment. “It’s so big,” he said simply. “It’s huge.” He couldn’t say anything more.

“It brought me to tears,” recalls Mikal. “He couldn’t even explain or express his feelings,” recalls Mikal. “But he understood that this word, GOD, was beyond him.”

Today Mikal looks back and observes the various ways that members of the group are slowly changing – for the better. Like how George, who had no social skills and wouldn’t even set foot in the room, is now deeply involved, engaging in activities and giving high fives and greetings. Or Carla who used to cry non- stop and had to be soothed by the fountain. Today she no longer cries and screams. Or Joni and Olivia who can’t talk, but the moment they arrive they are jumping off their chairs with excitement.

“Like Gerry and his sketch, I cannot explain God or put Him in a box,” says Mikal. “He works in His own ways and I fully trust in Him. I just pray before I come and I say, Lord this is your day and I trust your healing hands. Then the moment they step into the building they experience joy because they know they are loved in this place.”