Many of you may have seen the advertisements, shirts or Facebook posts about “Be The Church.”

This is a phrase adopted by a number of churches in town for January as we preach the same outlines and band together to “Be The Church.”

This is so much more than a phrase but something I have personally experienced this week.

I received a phone call Saturday evening from my mother that my father had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance as the result of a stroke because a massive brain bleed.

I immediately rushed to be by my mothers’ side at Mt. Carmel East Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Walking into the ICU and seeing my father lying in the bed hooked up to every machine, bell and whistle left me feeling helpless and in need of someone to listen and care.

As I was sitting in the waiting room at 3 a.m. Sunday, I found myself sending a message to four men I have grown to know, love and respect dearly — and they don’t attend my church.

In fact, they pastor and minister at other churches in Winchester.

As I sent the message to them bearing my heart and raw emotions for what I was feeling at that moment, I was met with words of encouragement, love and grace.

“Be The Church” became more than a phrase to me Sunday morning when I experienced those who were walking out what they are preaching.

Church comes from the Greek word ecclesia meaning called out company or assembly.

Whenever church is used in the Bible it refers to people.

What I experienced this week is the called-out people of God coming to my aid.

As I continued to reach out to these pastors, ministers and friends, the response I received was links to prayers that had been offered on our behalf in their church services, passages of scripture and words of encouragement for someone none of them have ever met.

All of this was done because of their belief to “Be The Church.”

The encouraging thing for my family this week is we have a personal experience of people not just in Winchester, but from all over the country praying for my dad and showing us what it truly means to “Be The Church.”

I want to express my deepest gratitude on behalf of my family for all the prayers that have been offered on behalf of my dad and our family.

“Be The Church” is more than just a phrase in Winchester, but a way of living for the people of God in our community.

Renny Ross is the founding pastor at Oasis Foursquare Church, established in May 2013. He can be reached by e-mail at rennyross@oasis4square.com