Sanctuary of Hope

Sanctuary of Hope
Meets at Boys Club at Bee Creek Road
Branson, Missouri
417-336-HOPE

Sr. Pastor Dr..Sam Kaunley
Assoc. Pastor David Stallman

Sunday School-9 a.m.
Sunday Service-10 a.m.

This is a friendly church. We are greeted three times by the time we get to our seats in the Auditorium.

The service begins at 10 and we get out about 12. There is a "kicking" choir all dressed in blue with white crosses on the front. They are not afraid to "praise the Lord." One of the pictures above shows this choir, which is excellent. The choir is led by Gail Stallman, wife of the Assistant Pastor, David Stallman. Gail does an excellent job. The only problem with the music, praise and worship is that it ends too quickly. About 15-20 minutes for the "praise and worship." You stand during much of the praise of the worship. No problem.

Today, there is communion. The communion service is "open communion." During the communion portion of the service there is an absolutely beautiful solo by one of the women of the church, which has to be one of the most outstanding solos HarleyDad has heard in years. It is sung reverently and worshipfully. The solo alone makes the visit worthwhile.

There is prayer for people who can come down to the altar, which is done in a very healthy way. A young man is commissioned to go to another church and ministry. In addition an offering is taken--actually in this case, people who have brought tithes and offerings are encouraged to bring them down to offering plates. This is done and there is some fellowship among the members in the course of this process.

It is now 11 a.m. The children are dismissed to children's church. HarleyDad puts his visitors form in his pocket. (He, for sure, is not going to walk down front to deliver a visitors card.) The preachin' begins.

The sermon is on "Anointing. " It begins with a story so funny that even HarleyDad is forced to laugh. The sermon is given intelligently and articulately. Evidently, HarleyDad and the others are encouraged to get it if they don't have it (HarleyDad concludes he doesn't). The sermon certain did not fall into the "hell, fire and brimstone" category. It was given thoughtfully. It ends with some of the Pastors notes and thoughts on "Anointing." HarleyDad suspects that he has missed the point, and wonders if there is an anointing for bloggers. He decides to ask Brokerbelle about this after the sermon.

At the conclusion of the sermon, an invitation is given. The invitation is not prolonged. It is now 12 noon and HarleyDad, who not so courageously sits in the back, heads for the door with Brokerbelle and Princessbelle. However, they do not make it out the door before they are greeted by the Assistant Pastor David Stallman, who is also Athlectic Director at one of the local Branson Christian schools. David was kind enough to let HarleyDad take his picture. Yes, I even take the camera to church-much to Brokerbelle's horror ("Is nothing sacred?")

However, we are not going to leave the church without meeting a few more people, which we all conclude is a very good thing. Our experience is that in some churches we have been able to enter the church, hear a sermon, and leave the church without human contact.

As we walk away, we are impressed. First, the people are friendly, and are obviously concerned for one another. The pastor appears to love his people. These are two very good signs.

However, the most surprising part of the story is yet to come.

HarleyDad, Brokerbelle and Princessbelle head for their favorite chinese restaurant in Branson. Nothing like Chinese food and Chinese background music after church! To our surprise, a goodly number of the church ultimately make it to the same Chinese restaurant (God works in mysterious ways and is as likely to work in Chinese restaurants as in churches). To our absolute amazement and wonderment some of the members of the group and the pastor (who we did not meet at the church) actually stop and speak to us. Well, I almost fell into my chop suey!

Sometimes this church even eats together. Well, early Christians were known to eat together , and fellowship at Chinese restaurants ain't too far from koinonea, if you know what I mean.

The picture of the pastor is taken at the Chinese restaurant, not at the church. I was kind enough not to take the picture of his plate of Chinese food. You must admit Dr. Kaunley was quite a good sport to let some idiot that he had never met before take his picture at a Chinese restaurant to put on a blog that he has never read before . Some Divine Power must have been at work because the Picture came out great.

In conclusion, the Sanctuary of Hope is one friendly church, and believe me, that is saying alot.

HarleyDad and Brokerbelle are impressed! We wish them the best, and believe that you will be hearing much more about the Sanctuary and its growth. It they sold stock in this church, I would buy it.

HarleyDad