Introduction: Searching for the Spirit

The story of the Bel family, and especially Rich, begins with a question: Why do people, even with earnest spiritual goals, so often lose their way?

In the early 1990s, the pain inflicted by the traditional church led the Bel family to step away from organized religion. Rich, the central figure, recalls this as a pivotal moment—a time marked by both reward and pain.

Disillusioned by churches that seemed more concerned with appearances than substance, Rich chose to follow God and the Holy Spirit, leaving behind the institutional church. For a period, he had no congregation, missing some aspects of church life but refusing to 'play church.'

The Encounter: A New Kind of Church

During this season, a friend persistently invited Rich to a small group in town. His first visit was jarring: loud music, exuberant worship, and practices he had once condemned. Initially, Rich wanted nothing to do with it. But the preacher’s message resonated deeply, echoing truths Rich had long held but never heard from a pulpit. Despite his discomfort, Rich returned and gradually embraced the Spirit-led spontaneity of the group. Over time, what he once despised became the highlight of his week. The people were genuine, praying boldly and serving joyfully. Rich’s beliefs were reshaped as he became part of a community that lived out Kingdom principles.

Growth and Transformation

Midweek gatherings took place in homes, modeled after early Church cell groups. These meetings were marked by worship, open sharing, prayer, and service. The church grew organically, transforming lives and fostering miracles. Rich found himself living the Kingdom church he had only read about in Scripture. It was a season of spiritual prosperity, but with growth came new challenges.

The Shift: From Spirit to Structure

Eight or nine years into its existence, the church began to change. Growth brought structure, and spontaneity gave way to rules. Leadership formed a government, and expressions of the Spirit were increasingly regulated. Home groups became scripted, and programs replaced Spirit-led freedom.

The church expanded physically, building a new worship center and hiring new staff, often at the expense of long-time servants. Central doctrines became law, and participation in leadership required speaking in tongues—a practice that became a source of confusion and exclusion, especially among the youth.

The Disappearance: Losing the Spirit

As the church became more like a business, laws multiplied, and control replaced freedom. Rich felt the loss deeply. The church he had cherished disappeared, replaced by an institution governed by human authority.

The breaking point came during the dedication of the new building, when Rich felt a clear message from God: 'You don’t belong here; this is not for you.' He left, grieving the loss of the Spirit-led community he had loved.

Reflection: Lessons from the Journey

Rich’s experience echoes the words of Paul: 'Oh, foolish people…why are you so foolish? You started in the Spirit, but now try to reach goals through human plans.'

The story raises questions about the possibility of a church wholly led by the Spirit when it grows in numbers. Growth seems to demand rules, and success appears to require structure. Yet, the early church thrived with few guidelines, relying on the Spirit for discipline and direction, yet their church and message spread worldwide.

History reveals a pattern: human plans often replace God’s Spirit, and churches risk becoming cult-like assemblies centered on charismatic leaders and loyalty.

Conclusion: The Call to Be the Church

Rich’s journey ends not with a return to organized religion, but with a call to 'be the church.'

The documentary narrative invites readers to reflect on the tension between Spirit-led freedom and human control, and to consider what it truly means to live as the Body of Christ.