Koinonia

“The word Koinonia has such a multitude of meanings that no single English word is adequate to express its depth and richness. It is a derivative of "koinos", the word for "common". Koinonia is a complex, rich, and thoroughly fascinating Greek approach to building community or teamwork.”

Part of my heart remains forever in Ukraine. It’s held tenderly in the spirit of my Ukrainian brothers and sisters of Koinonia.

It’s hard to put into words what I experienced while I was in Ukraine but I’ll do my best to let you in on the last two weeks of my life that completely transformed my heart.

While in Africa the people would gather as families and communities and we would create a place for them to gather together as a church whether it be under a tree or in a small grass hut. But in Ukraine there were beautiful church buildings and sanctuaries but we brought family to the buildings. We brought the essence of Koinonia to the churches there. I was introduced to the true concept of love and family while in Ukraine.

We spent many days preparing with the young adult leadership teams as they shared their feelings, their struggles, their victories and supported one another. They also discussed the direction of the Koinonia youth conference and just in those meetings I saw how deeply they appreciated and thrived off of family. They loved one another, they listened and encouraged, they sharpened and challenged one another and it convicted me. I realized so many wonderful people surround me and I overlook so many opportunities to open my heart and share my struggles and victories.

“To create a bond between comrades is the meaning of koinonia when people are recognized, share their joy and pains together, and are united because of their common experiences, interests and goals. Fellowship creates a mutual bond which overrides each individual’s pride, vanity, and individualism, fulfilling the human yearning with fraternity, belonging, and companionship. This meaning of koinonia accounts for the ease by which sharing and generosity flow. When combined with the spiritual implications of koinonia, fellowship provides a joint participation in God’s graces and denotes that common possession of spiritual values.”

One of my dear Ukrainian brothers pulled me aside the day before the conference started and gently reminded me that it was ok to be myself and let my heart be open. There at Koinonia we were all family and there were no judgments or fears, we would able to be ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us completely.

“Koinonia creates a brethren bond which builds trust and, especially when combined with the values of Wisdom, Virtue and Honor, overcomes two of humanity’s deepest fears and insecurities: being betrayed and being demeaned.”

I was overwhelmed by what he was saying because I thought I understand freedom, I thought I was being myself until I realized in that moment that I had fear of what people would think, what would they say, what would the Lord ask of me and would I be brave enough to do it? Daddy God used my sweet friend to reassure me and come alongside me and agree that who I am is ok….actually who I am is perfect and beautiful!

So Friday we started the conference and the services were unlike anything I’ve seen before. The Holy Spirit led the way and young adults worshipped relentlessly and spoke straight from their hearts with no agendas, no notes, just truth…beautiful truth about the love of God and the importance of family.

During the next two days it was a whirlwind of the intense power of God and deep intercession for the country of Ukraine. During those times of prayer and warfare for the freedom and peace over Ukraine I was fully involved. My heart longed for peace and I felt as though it was my family hanging in the balance. I poured my heart out on behalf of the country and all those involved. I saw young adults with such humility come together and unite on behalf of their country and as a family we all stood as one and declared peace over Ukraine. We were connected by the love of the Father and it changed my life forever.

In all my life I’ve never felt so connected to a group of people. To think I had just met them a few days earlier blew my mind because everything within me loved them. When they hugged me I felt the arms of Daddy God. When they kissed my cheek it resonated so deep in my soul. My heart grew so much I now know how the Grinch felt when his heart grew, it was a deep pain that brought so much life back to my weary soul.

I saw so many young people who were so confident in what the Lord was calling them to do and I saw them walk in a deep love that I’ve never experienced before. I saw thru them how powerful you can be when you truly know who you are in Christ and you know He loves you no matter what! And it wrecked me. I saw young adults worshipping and bowing before the Lord for hours and it never became stale or routine. I saw life, love, hope, and truth. And all I could say was thank you. I was honored to be apart of Koinonia it truly wrecked my small heart and narrow thinking.

I wish I could recount more in detail the experiences and maybe in time the Lord will give me words but for now this is all I can muster up.

Simply put, I learned how to love and be loved while in Ukraine. I went not knowing what my purpose was but now I see that I was sent there so that Papa  could open up my heart and pull me into a family of young adults and take the love they showed me and bring it back here. So Koinonia is with me. The essence of family and deep love has settled in the depth of my heart and I am one with it. So although I’m thousands of miles away from Ukraine the love I found there is not just with me…it is me. I am love. 

And I sit here with tears in my eyes as my heart aches to see my Ukrainian family again and I will…very soon because I am forever connected to them…but my heart jumps with excitement knowing that there are so many people who like me haven’t ever felt this deep love and family and I’m here to give it away. I’m here to be love. To give love. To receive love.

Along with my clothes and souvenirs I brought Koinonia here. I brought love and it is here to stay. It runs through my veins, it pours from my lips, it radiates from my spirit.

So while in Africa I found compassion for the lost and dying, in Ukraine I found love for everyone. My love is no longer conditional nor does it have any requirements. I was made to love myself and love everyone that I come in contact with. So thank you to my sweet brothers and sisters in Ukraine who gently welcomed me in, just like the prodigal son. They wiped the dirt off my face, they put a robe of love on me and hugged me until every wall in my heart came crashing down and now I promise to walk in love. To speak love. To sing love. To be love.

 I am Koinonia.

“koinonia highlights a higher purpose or mission that benefits the greater good of the members as a whole. The term "enthusiasm" is connected to this meaning of koinonia for it signifies “to be imbued with the Spirit of God in Us."