Fog slowly lifted off the waters of Lynnhaven Inlet.
Boats puttered in the distance.
Large flocks of birds began to sing as the sun finally drifted upwards over trees on the horizon.
A few dolphins spewed water as they slowly came up for air during their morning search for food
Nearby, cars slowly rolled into the parking lot at the 64th Street water’s edge, filling in spots as the riders shuffled towards the beach at The Narrows.
Excitement hummed as more and more folks stopped and greeted each other.
The Lord was starting to broadcast His magnificence.
It was obvious that He was calling.
No, it wasn’t the Sunday-morning ritual of suiting up in your finest and heading to your favorite church.
This, it seemed, was to most of those on hand as a better alternative.
Boat Church.
Big or small, brick or plywood – where you sing your praises doesn’t really matter.
So why not a place on the water, out in Mother Nature – where all of The Lord’s works are on display in their finest sense.
Folks like Steve Bunting totally understand. Has for decades.
“If Jesus was physically here and was going to do a service, I suspect he’d pick a place like this,” said Bunting, 63, who attends with wife Carolyn. “There’s something about being outside and around the water.
“I feel more connected to God here.”
Boat Church kicks off another season at 10 a.m. Sunday May 25 and will hold services throughout the boating season. Parking at the boat ramp is $10 for landlubbers.
Pastors from churches throughout the area take turns spreading His word.
Bunting’s involvement in Boat Church comes with a few head-scratchers.
One Sunday it looked like weather might soak the morning’s proceedings.
“I turned on the radar on our boat and the storm that was coming right at us parted right as it got here,” he said, wonderment filling his voice.
And there are those who are simply out to enjoy a morning boat ride, stop and ask someone what’s going on, and end up attending services every Sunday.
“I think it’s divinely orchestrated,” he said. “There are a lot of colaboral church goers.
“It’s quite amazing.”
There are more ironies not wasted on Bunting – a former rock-and-roller who said he once had to check himself into a rehabilitation center. Some coincidences are shared in one way or another by some of his fellow congregation members.
His favorite song is “Saltwater Gospel” and he is a commercial builder.
“We build churches,” he said with a quiet hint of laughter. “I’ve built a lot of them, some of the nicest ones in the area.
“But this is where I get my Gospel.”
To read more of my work, go to: leetolliveroutdoors.com
