The Power of Face-to-Face Interaction

The Apostle Paul expresses his longing to visit the church in Rome in Romans 1:11-12, where he states, "For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by one another's faith, both yours and mine.

The "spiritual gift" Paul longed to impart was a way for him to strengthen the believers in Rome, to help them grow strong in their faith. It was a specific insight or blessing that would enhance their spiritual lives.

Paul believed that being physically present with fellow believers provided a deeper, more impactful connection than communication through other means. Face-to-face interaction allowed for authentic encouragement and the strengthening of faith.

On a fairly quiet evening, in the year of 2005, while creating spa packages for a start-up mobile spa, Spa de la Casa, my focus suddenly shifted to studying the Book of Romans.

The words of the Apostle Paul, in verses 1:11-12 stirred something profound within me. His longing to "impart some spiritual gift" and to be mutually strengthened by another's' faith became the cry of my own heart. ❤️ 

I began to seek God in prayer, asking how I might serve as an instrument of encouragement to others. In response, I was given a vision and a plan which resulted in a step-by-step Christ-centered event program fashioned to nourish the mind, uplift the body, and awaken the soul. It was a gift to be held in many hands. 

My gift was given to inspire, so today, I want to share it with you. 🫒 

The program written then is the foundation for my passion that fuels today.  My hope is that it will continue to be a vessel for grace, enabling others to experience the power of being seen, strengthened and encouraged.

Further along in Romans, now 1:16 is the declaration, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile". 

This verse, found in Paul's letter to the Romans, "emphasizes" that the gospel of Jesus Christ is a world-transforming power, a source of hope, and the divine agent of salvation for all who have faith.

I love God, I'm not ashamed to say that.

~ Michelle Johnson, Founder & Program Director of The Gospel Spa Experience