NEBRASKA CITY- Jeff Lant was praying about obedience to the call of God when an opportunity rose for him to return part-time to the Nebraska City Police Department as part of a mental health response team. It was a return that placed him on the front lines of some tragic circumstances and got him striving to recognize what God is doing.

He found a sense of relief listening to worship music at the gym and decided it was something he wanted to give the whole community an opportunity to experience.

 

Lant:  “I know that through some of these different tragedies our community has had some tension to it and I thought that maybe if we were to bring something like a worship event here at this time that it could have a healing impact in some respect to our community.”

He described the trauma he has witnessed as a police officer and his role of not getting caught up in the emotion, but thinking about what is the next thing that needs to be done.

 

Lant: “I think about our community to be able to come together and for me to recognize where all good things come from. I’ve seen God at work in people’s lives. I’ve seen God at work in the lives of people closest to some of these things. It’s incredible and I want the rest of the community to be able to experience some of that.”

The Evening of Worship is scheduled at the Veterans Memorial Building parking lot from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29. Pulled pork will be served inside the building and Mike Stelzer will lead worship outdoors.

 

He said the goal is the community coming together to worship God in the midst of tragedy.

Lant: “If that kind of thing is going on, there’s going to be a sense, I believe, of  healing in people’s lives.”

 

Lant said the event definitely has a Love Like Liam aspect, but there have been other tragic circumstances in Nebraska City. He is hoping people will feel welcome to come whatever they are dealing with.

He credits Small Beginnings for helping organize and host the event. Face painters and a kids play area are planned.