(From Dec., 16, 2012)
We went to Calvary Chapel Safe Harbor Church last Sunday for
worship in Cabo San Lucas. Jackie Price, my Facebook friend, offered to pick us
up and take us there, saving us money from the high price of a taxi in Cabo.
(The previous week it had cost us 60.00 by taxi just to get to and from church
when we attended Cabo Church.) Jackie
found out I was in Cabo from a Facebook
post and wrote me asking, “Would you like to come to a church where my husband,
Garrie, is pastor? I will pick you and your mother up where you are staying if
you want to come.” We were thankful for the invitation and gratefully accepted
without hesitation.
I don’t know what I was expecting, but what I got was
in-depth, expository Bible teaching with God at work to the extent that I
rarely experience in America! Garrie Price, the pastor, taught from the entire chapter of Galatians 2,
explaining every verse with a Spanish interpreter. About thirty people were
there in this new Calvary Chapel church plant service. No one was bored. Every single person had their Bibles out to
study, and many were taking notes. It brought tears to my eyes to see God so
much at work. No strobe lights, no
rock-n-roll or pop music, and no fancy building. I looked down at the ants
crawling on the concrete floor without carpet and was reminded that God does
not need million dollar buildings to change lives. The church was beautiful. There
was a fence built from the ground up to the tin ceiling for walls with a colorful
curtain draped over it. The focus was on Jesus, as the people seemed excited to
learn more about the Gospel. Sound Bible
study was enough to make the people come.
It was off the beaten path, and I’m not sure a taxi could
have found it. It had grown only by word of mouth. God gave this new church a
space right across from an unsightly road that had been damaged from recent
rains, but it was the glory of the nations, because God was there. How sweet
that His ways are so humble. Sometimes we think we need fancy buildings, but
that is not found anywhere in the Bible. The Bible teaches that God does not
dwell in a building made with hands; His sanctuary now is in the hearts of His
own. All the glory and magnificence will be God’s presence in Heaven. What a
taste of that I got from attending this little church in Cabo San Lucas,
Mexico.
At it turns out, Jackie Price loves apologetics like I do.
My mother and I went out to lunch with Garrie and Jackie and were blessed to
hear their testimony. When God is everything to us, we certainly have more than
enough. The Lord burdened them to be missionaries, and they began a church in
Budapest, Hungary, and are now working as missionaries in Cabo San Lucas, as
Garrie pastors this church plant of Calvary Chapel.
“And the city had no need of the sun neither of the moon, to
shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light
thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of
it…and the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day, for there shall be no
night there. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it,
and there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth…or maketh a
lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. And He showed me a
PURE river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of
God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of
the river, was there the Tree of Life…and the leaves of the tree were for the
healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God
and of the Lamb shall be in it and His servants shall serve Him, and they shall
see His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no
night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun, for the Lord
God giveth them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 21:
23, 22:1-5
“And behold I come quickly, and My reward is with Me to give
every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning
and the end, the First and Last. Blessed are they who do His commandments that
they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into
the city. For without
are…sorcerers…whoremongers…murderers and idolaters and whosoever loveth and
maketh a lie. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify unto you these things in
the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and Morning
Star. And the Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let him that heareth say,
‘Come.’ And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of
the water of life freely…” Revelation 22:12-17
“He which testifieth these things saith, ‘Surely I come
quickly. Amen.’ Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20
(For tourists visiting Cabo San Lucas, contact for Garrie and Jackie Price and Calvary Chapel Safe Harbor is (624) 137-6883; gjpriceluv@yahoo.com .)
