Not long after Mosaic had moved into the old Wal-Mart, a homeless man named Raymond began attending faithfully from week to week. Typical of those on the street, he was disheveled and, in his case, often reeking of alcohol. Each Sunday, he would first head for the bathroom to clean himself up before coming back to get a cup of coffee and sit down for worship.

One morning during the service, I invited the congregation to break up into smaller groups for prayer. As I left the platform, a young high school girl named Sandra motioned to me. She was concerned for Raymond, who was sitting close to her, and wanted me to pray with him. Sitting down with the man, I began to talk with him and, more importantly, to listen.

During our brief exchange, Raymond spoke sincerely from his heart. He confessed that drugs and alcohol had consumed his life and had left him isolated from family members living nearby. At Mosaic, he said, the people were friendly and treated him kindly. Coming to Mosaic each week gave him peace and hope. He said, “I feel so good here! I feel the Spirit of God here. I may live like hell Monday through Saturday, but I like to come here on Sunday because it makes me feel so damn good!”

Taking hold of his hands, I prayed for him and touched by their interaction, concluded the prayer time by asking Raymond to come forward to share his story with the rest of the body. As he spoke, it was evident to all that Raymond truly desired to be cleansed from his addictions and restored to his family. Having shared from his brokenness and of his despair, Raymond asked the church to come and pray for him. In response, about a dozen Mosaics came forward and embraced him warmly. It was the first physical touch or affection he had received in a very long time. Laying their hands upon him, they led the entire church in praying for Raymond that day. It was a beautiful sight to see; the body of Christ extending the love of God to this man who had come, “just as I am.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Not long after this, two men from Mosaic helped Raymond to enroll in a 28-day detoxification program. He then entered rehabilitation and after completing it, came by the church a completely different man. Soon Raymond, again, stood before the church; this time to ask forgiveness for the times he had taken advantage of generosity. More importantly, he shared that he had recently committed his life to Christ!

At the time of this writing, he continues in sobriety and holds a steady job at a local fast food restaurant.