"No perfect people allowed. Come as you are."

Lakewood New Life, a non-denominational church, transforms the Masonic Temple on Sunday mornings for two Christian services at 9:00 a.m. and ll:00 a.m.  It is immediately obvious that multi-culturalism is alive and flourishing and lovely to see.  Dress is very casual.  You'll find a large parking lot at the rear of the church, a side entrance leading to the lower level and a main entrance facing Detroit Ave.  An elevator is available.  Refreshments are offered after both services.  For those blessed with the Gift of the Spirit, (speaking in tongues,) a prayer gathering is held at 14305 Madison Avenue, their
Administrative Office location.  Bob Kistemaker and his wife, Yolanda, are both ordained pastors who planted this church 6 1/2 years ago through The House of Praise in Lorain, Ohio.  At coffee time, I spoke with both Pastors, Bob's mother, a Lakewood resident, and a friend who has known Bob since he was a little boy.  During the service, references were made from both the New King James Version and the Message Bible.  The Pastor spoke of the power of words that have the strength to uplift or disrupt for a lifetime.  Congregants applaud and give vocal affirmations during the sermon.  Two large screens project the words to songs/hymns.  Seven facilitators went forward and received six congregants for specially requested prayer.  Laying-on of hands and prayer was accompanied by music from the stage by 3 singers, keyboard drums, symbols and two guitars.  Attendance a previous week was 280 for both services.  A request from the granddaughter of a retired Pastor/grandfather and member of the congregation was made for a bus needed to deliver meals as her car was becoming too small.  This is her personal ministry.  Somehow, several sources came together and the bus was provided.  She since has rented a building to serve meals and New Life hand-delivered flyers in the West 44 St./Marvin Ave. area announcing free meals to be served  twice monthly.  Check their website, lakewoodnewlifechurch.org, for many more details including 39 classes for credits offered at the on-line Lakewood Bible College with diplomas issued for 1,2, or 3 years.  These folks have an on-going ministry at Malachi House for the terminally ill ministering to the patients and treating the staff with lunch.  At the Church's front entrance are several tables of books, pamphlets and DVDs.  They are hoping to obtain the former Christ Scientist Church on Detroit Ave. as their permanent home.  Many, many people spoke words of welcome and gifted me with a little bag of pamphlets and delicious Pepperidge Farm cookies--an unexpected and most welcome treat.  What a morning!  The rain didn't matter.  P.S.  At coffee time, a couple joined us and the gentleman was humming an Elvis Presley tune.  He was the winner out of 38 competitors of an Elvis impersonator contest and sang a few lines for us.  I love this experience.