Church Visit Encourages Pastor, Opens Eyes of Visitor

Catheryn Jo, who serves the Korean community within the Christian Reformed Church through the Office of General Secretary, had a recent trip to The Loving Church in Tucson, Ariz., and shared her experience on the CRCNA Korean Facebook page.

The Banner covered The Loving Church and its pastor, Rebecca Insuk Dunne, in November 2022. Jo shared an English translation of her March 12 story to fill Banner readers in on what’s been happening with the church lately.

After a two-hour drive from Phoenix Airport, I finally arrived at The Loving Church.

I knew this church kept its doors wide open for the homeless, but I was still taken aback the moment I arrived. Seeing rows of people lined up against the church walls, using the building as their only shelter, was a sobering sight.

I had been feeling a heavy heart for Pastor Insuk Dunne ever since I heard she was ordained as a commissioned pastor in the CRC denomination five years ago and has been fighting this lonely battle of ministry all by herself. So as soon as a committee meeting brought me to Arizona, I reached out to her.

I parked my car and, acting as composed as possible, walked into the church while greeting everyone with a steady stream of “Hi.”

Inside, I saw people experiencing homelessness relaxing throughout the garden and freely moving in and out of the church kitchen. To my surprise, there was a sense of brightness and peace in the air—something I had never quite felt in other homeless communities before.

Most of the congregants were homeless, and even the praise team members were former homeless individuals who had found their faith. As the worship began with a YouTube track playing in the background, I was caught off guard once again.

To be honest, it was a sound unlike any I had ever heard. It was quite a shock! It was a symphony of dissonance—completely disregarding pitch, rhythm, and lyrics.

But then, something amazing happened. Soon, they—and I—were lifting our hands in fervent, heartfelt praise.

After the service, several members approached the pastor. As she embraced each one of them tightly and prayed with all her heart, they began to pour out the tears they had been holding back. Watching this, I couldn't even begin to imagine the depth of the pain they carry. I could only repeat a silent prayer in my heart: Lord, have mercy on them.

Since most of the members are homeless, the fact that this church even functions is a miracle in itself. I was told that the $200 needed for that day’s lunch was provided at the very last minute by an unexpected donor.

I was just a visitor who sang a special song and shared a short conversation, so I felt humbled and almost bashful when the pastor told me how much my visit encouraged her.

In truth, I was the one who felt grateful.

Just as Jesus came to the lowliest of places, Pastor Insuk Dunne is sowing seeds of tears in the lowest of places. Her service taught me more than a thousand words ever could.