It is easy to mistake the old empty church buildings in the city of LA as the representation of God’ absence. But a closer look reveals that God can even be found in the uniqueness of Venice Beach, the glamour of Hollywood, and the brokenness of Skid Row.
There have been incredible movements of God in the history of Los Angeles. Today marks 110 years since the Asuza Revival began. This movement alone has not only changed lives but also the world. In the 1960’s, LA saw tremendous healing through Angelus Temple. In the late 60’s, the Jesus movement was in full-swing throughout Southern California. Thousands of people were baptized in the ocean and people came to Jesus merely by mentioning Him. In the 90’s, the Third Wave Movement through the Vineyard affected many churches across denominations and many countries around the world. Even today in Los Angeles, tens of thousands across denominational, racial, and economic spectrums gather at the Coliseum to pray for God’s move in the city of Los Angeles and the world.
There is something significant about God and LA.
A great article in Relevant Magazine focuses on the new move of churches in Los Angeles. There are good communities of Jesus followers who are doing significant work in our city (I have a list of several Churches on this blog). Some of these communities may not look like the traditional church and in fact are expounding our ideas of church.
Even as I write this, I sit on an old church pew at an high-end coffee shop in Los Angeles. This seems like an oxymoron. The old is being used for the new, and not in ways we would expect. The re-creation of the image of church is not a new thing.
God’s redeeming work of people disqualified is common. It is as though God would use the opportunity of brokenness to reveal to the world His just how good He can be. And I don’t think God is done.
The simplicity of God’s work in LA is the same as in other cities. Just the other month I got to know my neighbor. And in Los Angeles getting to know our neighbors is a miracle. He had injured his neck and was fearing impending surgery. I asked if I could pray for Jesus to heal him. To be clear, this is a man who avoids everything religious. He agreed, I prayed, and then I didn’t see him for several days. When I did see him, I asked him how he was doing. He walked towards me, gave me a hug, and said, “I am hesitant to say this, but your Jesus healed me!” Since then the pain has come back, and I got another chance to pray for him. This time I started to pray and he physically took my hand and placed it on his neck. He instantly felt better and felt a presence. I continue to clarify that it is Jesus who loves him and it is not my ability that is healing him. Although he acknowledges the work of Jesus, he has not said yes to Him yet.
So how is God in LA unique? The answer: what happens in Los Angeles affects the rest of the world. This is a city that from the outside might appear god-less while in the streets there is so much potential for God’s work among the people.
Throughout the history of God’s work in this city there is a commonality. In each of the great moves of God, there has been a deep sense of needing something greater. I believe that we are in a similar place now. Systems that offer hope and change only produce disappointment and more regulations. Those that need help in our city only get moved from place to place.
God for LA is the hope that redemption is possible.