A House for Whosoever…

When Was It Written
This poem was written the night that The Church at Trace Crossing moved into their new building for their first worship service on Friday night, February 23, 2007. 

Who Wrote It
Kevin Wood, Pastor

Why Was It Written
This poem simply expresses our desire to be a place that is open for the hurting and the hopeless.  If you read the doorframe just as you walk in the worship room, you will find a prayer written with the words, "Whosoever is Welcome Here!"  That's what is inside the guts of this poem.  The word "whosoever" comes to us from John 3:16:   

For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever
believeth in Him should never perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)


A House for Whosoever
Who is “whosoever” and what exactly is his name?
What places is he welcomed and what places is he shamed?
When he walks right through our doors will he hear God’s grace proclaimed?
And when he walks away from this house, will he never be the same?

Who is “whosoever” and what color is her skin?
What lies inside her heart and what secrets hide within?
When she sings with us in worship, will we dare to take her in?
And when she walks away from this house, will she leave us born again?

Who is “whosoever” and what burdens do they bear?
What heartache haunts their past, what troubles do they share?
When they weep here at our altar, will we surround them with our prayer?
And when they walk away from this house, will they feel how much we care?

Who is “whosoever” and what difference does it make?
What does it really matter that our welcome isn’t faked?
That deep inside our soul, we know the passion it will take,
To touch the hurting, reach the lost, and live like everything’s at stake.

Who is “whosoever”? It’s you and me and them,
Every single one of us in this wounded world of men,
Every sinner trapped in this whirlpool world of sin,
In need of something deeper than a sermon and a hymn,

We are all a “whosoever”, and what exactly do we need?
But to find a loving Savior and by him now be freed,
To walk stronger, sing louder, and let Him take the lead,
To treasure in our hearts the love that made him bleed.

For the great house of whosoever has a Lord who’s color blind,
His palette is a rainbow at least a thousand miles wide,
And there above his door these words he has inscribed,
"Let all who love my Son, regardless of their labels, come and live inside."

Oh God make us a house for whosoever, a home for every one!
A house where grace and race sing out for the glory of the Son!
So open up the doors, let everyone draw near,
And write it right above our door, "Whosoever’s welcome here!"

- Kevin Wood, February 23, 2007



Want to Let the Writer Know What You Think?
Feel free to email Kevin at kwood@tracecrossing.org and let him know your thoughts on this poem.