Compelled

Tammy enjoyed spending weekends with her family at a lakeside cabin in Minnesota.  Katrina Welsh, a cabin neighbor, would grill with them and share her exciting stories of what God was doing through Crisis Response.  Katrina is a staff member for Crisis Response in Staten Island.  Tammy felt compelled to drive with Katrina back to Staten Island, so she and her son Jeremy returned with Katrina to see firsthand what Crisis Response was doing.

Although raised Catholic, Tammy, turned off by the church, no longer attended services at any church.  When torrential rains hit Staten Island that Wednesday, streams of deep water flooded streets, the roof and some windows at Salem Church leaked water, basements flooded, and many needed help.  Tammy and Jeremy were happy to volunteer to join our teams responding to help.  Jeremy spent his day helping Pastor Ed Cole of Salem Church.  Tammy worked alongside a team.  Jeremy rejoined his mom and questioned, “Mom, we’re going to church Sunday, right?”

On Sunday, Pastor Ed Cole’s words stirred Tammy’s heart.  She felt like he was speaking to her alone.  He spoke of growing up with tradition but lacking a relationship with God, with not knowing God as father.  As Pastor Ed offered the chance to know God personally, Tammy felt he was looking directly at her.  God moved her heart and she found her hand raising in response to the invitation to give her life to God.

Katrina, eyes closed during the invitation, did not realize what Tammy had done until they toured Battery Park later that day.  Tammy shared her decision, and Katrina, overwhelmed by joy and excitement, hugged Tammy.  Jeremy, curious about why they hugged, ran to them.  Katrina explained her excitement, and he joined in the hug.  Katrina knows a good church in their home area where Tammy can continue to grow in her faith.

Covering the roof at Salem Church to prevent more leaks