1 Peter 5:13 KJV
[13] “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.”
The only thing we know about the church in Babylon is that Peter mentions it in this verse. We know that Marcus is John Mark. Just think about there being a church in Babylon! I know that things had changed a great deal since the days of Daniel, but it seemed that Babylon would be an unlikely place for a group of believers to assemble. Peter must have been successful in reaching some believers while on his journey through the region. You never know where God will establish a church. Regardless of the size of the gathering, it was a light in that area.
For the past twenty years of driving across this country, I have been amazed at the places where the Lord has a congregation of people. Sometimes, you will find a church that has grown in an unlikely place. For example, I preached at a church in a small town that was across the street from three local bars. On one side of the road, people were going in and out with alcohol on their breath. On the other side of the road, people were entering the building with Bibles in their hands. The church was brightly shining on that little street and community. What a good place to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I thought of other places in rural areas where it seemed that there was not a soul for miles, then suddenly you would see a church. People would drive from miles around and fill the little church house. The Lord has people everywhere throughout this world.
I heard the story of a little girl who lived next to an old, abandoned gas station. Her parents showed little concern for her, so she spent most of her days alone. She spent her days playing in the building until one day someone rented it and began making improvements. She knew she could no longer play there, but she went over to see what they were doing. The people were so kind and told her that they were starting a church in the building. They said she could continue to play there every day just as she had done before. They also invited her to church and told her that Jesus loved her and died for her. The little girl gave her heart to Jesus and got saved. She spent the rest of her childhood days playing in and around the house of God. She grew up, married a preacher, and is now a Pastor’s wife. She found a church in an unlikely place.