Laundry Day

<p>Driving through a low-income area near his church, Colorado pastor Chad Graham started praying for &ldquo;our neighbors.&rdquo; When he noticed a small laundromat, he stopped to take a look inside and found it filled with customers. One asked Graham for a spare coin to operate the clothes dryer. That small request inspired a weekly &ldquo;Laundry Day&rdquo; sponsored by Graham&rsquo;s church. Members donate coins and soap to the laundromat, pray with customers, and support the owner of the laundry.</p> <p>Their neighborhood outreach, which dares to include a laundromat, reflects Jesus&rsquo;s Great Commission to His disciples. As He said, &ldquo;I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit&rdquo; (Matthew 28:18&ndash;19 <smallcaps>gnt</smallcaps>).</p> <p>His Holy Spirit&rsquo;s powerful presence enables &ldquo;everywhere&rdquo; outreach, including even a laundromat. Indeed, we don&rsquo;t go alone. As Jesus promised, &ldquo;I will be with you always, to the end of the age&rdquo; (v. 20 <smallcaps>gnt</smallcaps>).</p> <p>Pastor Chad experienced that truth after praying at the laundromat for a customer named Jeff who is battling cancer. As Chad reported, &ldquo;When we opened our eyes, every customer in the room was praying with us, hands stretched out toward Jeff. It was one of the most sacred moments I have experienced as a pastor.&rdquo;</p> <p>The lesson? Let&rsquo;s go everywhere to proclaim Christ.</p>