Last night we had another installment of the HOTDONUTS open mic event and it was another hit.  We had a lot of visitors, singers, spoken word artists, DJ Push and a first–a painter who put to canvas what she saw during the event.  When she revealed her interpretation we were all overwhelmed! I purchased the picture (no, not with church funds –it will go down in history as the first artistic interpretation of HOTDONUTS on canvas!  We also had three pastors in attendance from Mableton who were surprised that we would risk doing open mic in a church.  My answer to them was that in all things Christ must be first, pre-imminent and worshiped, especially in the arts.

But why do people keep showing up for HOTDONUTS?  Here are my reasons:

1.  This is a part of God’s plan to enhance Redemption Fellowship’s efforts in community outreach, fellowship,  youth and young adults ministry and He will bring the people.

2.  Everybody gets something out of this.  It is wonderful to see older Christians, twentysomethings and teenagers enjoying the talents of these artists.  Mentors and mentees are brought together.

3.  We have donuts.

4.  We have a great house band–”The Glaze.”

5.  There is intentionality and focus in the planning of the events.

6.  The Session and the Congregation have “buy-in.”

7.  It is like a Holy Spirit driven Harlem renaissance–well sort of.

Oh yeah, the picture will be hanging somewhere in the church building as a reminder of what God is doing here every fourth Sunday night.

Former Sr. Pastor Mike Higgins