Vroom St. Evangelical Free Church, Jersey City, NJ

On June 11th, we attended worship at the "Vroom Street Evangelical Free Church" in Jersey City, NJ. The pastor, Bill Sweeting has been a friend through the "Concerts of Prayer" organization. His wife, Katie, is the assistant director of Concerts of Prayer- New York. This was truly a picture of what a "multi-ethnic" church should be. In attendance were white, black, Hispanic, Philippino, Asian Indian, etc., etc. You could see how the church has made "adjustments" to accommodate the other groups. The blending of all of these people into one congregation has been both a challenge and a blessing. It is a truly balanced ministry, and it was inspiration to experience the richness of many traditions into "one church". Pastor Bill spoke plainly and powerfully about how God speaks to us today- especially through His word, but also through Godly friends and family, through circumstances, even through suffering. Katie and Bill have a definite vision for multi-ethnic ministry, and for work in the inner cities. Pray for them, and for this ministry as the congregation is in a "rebuilding" phase, and is a church in transition from a dying congregation into a live, vital ministry that is beginning to grow again. As an interesting side, Eric's (Sarah's fiancé's) grandfather, Pastor Neil Brohm, was the pastor of the Vroom St. Church in the mid to late 1970's. I believe that he would be proud of what that church has become, and how it has adjusted to minister to the community in this neighborhood of Jersey City. Another side- this church is also 3 blocks away from Sue's and my sister-in-law, Soni! Soni & her mom attended with us and loved it.