Jacob’s Well

by Jamey Lee, (2004, MDiv)

In the Fall of 2003, J.D. Walt prayed over Michelle and I as we graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary and these words were prophesied over us, “You have an apostolic anointing.  Wherever you go, you shall sow but not reap.”  From that point until 2010 we have lived in the Seedbed, laboring for the Lord and bearing little fruit.  Yet today in the apostolic ministry of Jacob’s Well, we are beginning to see a great harvest, primarily among neighbors living in poverty in the city of Memphis.  

The story of Jacob’s Well in John chapter 4 captured our imaginations and inspired our vision of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reciprocation.  Like Jesus the Jew met the Samaritan woman at the Well in the story, we gather across racial and economic lines for worship on Saturday nights as we work towards Reconciliation in our city.  Jesus saw how thirsty the woman was and had compassion upon her.  She was trying to quench her thirst from relationship to relationship and it was not working.  The truth is, each and every one of us is thirsty.  And yet nothing seems to satisfy that deep thirst within.  The good news of the gospel is that Jesus quenches our deepest thirst through what he calls, “Living Water.”  But the process of immersing ourselves in this water is difficult.  It can hurt to come to grips with the truth about ourselves.  At Jacob’s Well, we call this process Rehabilitation.  And what we’ve discovered is that rehab isn’t just for addicts.  This step by step process that brings us to this enriching life of living water, is for everyone.  And when we embrace the gospel, like the Samaritan woman, we will leave our water jug, so to speak, and run off to bring others to the Well.  That’s Reciprocation, giving because He first gave to us.  

At Jacob’s Well we are reciprocating God’s love by feeding our neighbors who are hungry, clothing those in need, connecting friends on the streets with shelter, and praying for those struggling with sickness and addiction.  On Wednesday nights we engage in Compassion Party on the Road (CPR).  This ministry began as a risky and spontaneous adventure led by homeless staff members of Jacob’s Well and their friends who wanted to help our neighbors on the streets. Today, CPR has become full-fledged, organized chaos where people come from all over the city to join in with the compassion parties our faithful staff members organize each Wednesday night to feed 70-80 people through three different routes.  We do this as an act of reciprocation.  We have been shown mercy, so we offer mercy.  And we are blessed to be a blessing.

Jacob’s Well United Methodist Church has seen this vision become a reality as expectations have continually been exceeded by the power of God.  Many previously hurt by religion have found a spiritual home.  Hundreds living in poverty are experiencing a hand up to a better way of life.  Affluent families have friends who live on the streets who they met at Jacob’s Well.  There are lives changing through the 12 steps and a full church of diverse people every Saturday night for worship.  

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