The Church is the people of God. The Latin word for « church, » ecclesia, comes from the Greek ek, which means « out, » and kaleo, which means « to call. » The Church is the people of God called out of slavery to freedom, sin to salvation, despair to hope, darkness to light, an existence centered on death to an existence focused on life.
When we think of Church we have to think of a body of people, travelling together. We have to envision women, men, and children of all ages, races, and societies supporting one another on their long and often tiresome journeys to their final home.