After several weeks of deliberating over places to live, two friends and I just signed a lease to move into a duplex in Northeast Minneapolis. I am excited to move into a neighborhood where I already know several families. My roommates and I hope this will provide new opportunities to share Christ with neighbors and show them hospitality. I also look forward to forming deeper roots in Northeast.
One of the realities of our world today is that, compared to previous centuries, people do not stay rooted in the same place very long. Even if we do, we often lose focus on pouring into our communities and giving back to them. Today I read an article by Chuck Colson on this topic. He speaks of Dutch Reformed communities in Michigan who, unlike most of us, have sunk their roots deep.
It's a pleasant concept, but I didn't think much of its importance until I read this paragraph:
"This Reformation-influenced vision continues, which is why Ottawa County was so successful when, a few years ago, then-Governor John Engler challenged Michigan counties to get jobs for all able-bodied welfare recipients. Ottawa County asked its 250 churches to help; 60 signed up. Within a year, the welfare rolls were emptied."
I guess when we care about our community and plan to stay we naturally invest in it. I hope this will become more true of me as the months and years go on. To quote Colson in closing:
C. S. Lewis, who lived in the same Oxford house most of his adult life, put it well: As Christians, we can't love the whole world. But we should remember that God has placed us in a specific community at a particular time. We're called to love those around us. Loving them means serving them—and in doing so, we become the best of citizens.
Why are you sitting there with such a puzzled thought bubble?
Well, Alyssa, I've been hearing about how God commands us to care for the poor and the disadvantaged. I've also been hearing about the plight of America's inner cities, and I've heard a little bit about what Living Hope is doing. I want to help out somehow, but I just can't figure out what I could do.
Well, Mr. Stick Man, I know one way. Go bowling.
Huh?
Go bowling.
Wait, like on my Wii?
No. Actually get out of your house and go bowling. It will be fun!
Umm...I like bowling, but how will that make a difference?
Participate in Living Hope's upcoming fundraiser, the Soul Bowl! Here's how it works: You get together a team of friends/family and go bowling with us in Arden Hills on April 16th. You could invite your college friends and your little brother Sticko. Everyone on your team will raise money between now and April 16th with the fundraising tools provided by Living Hope.
But how will I raise money?
Talk to people in your church, relatives, co-workers, and friends. Explain that you're trying to raise $200 for this great organization that brings hope to the kids of Minneapolis. Maybe your aunt Sally Sue will give you $10, and maybe your friend JoJo at church will pledge 5 cents per pin.
Imagine the possibilities...
Then you go bowling, tally up your score, and let your donors know how you did. They joyfully send their gifts to Living Hope, and everyone is happy. You're happy, JoJo and Sally Sue are happy, and the families of Northeast Minneapolis get to continue coming and hearing about the love of God in Jesus!
Wow, that sounds great!
Yeah, and it can really make a difference. Imagine if each bowler raises $200 in this way. Now imagine if there are 5 bowlers on each team. That's $1000. Imagine if there are 20 teams. That's $20,000 going directly to Living Hope Ministries, to help us continue and expand our ministry to the children and families in Northeast Minneapolis.
Wow, when you put it that way, I realize I can actually make a difference. But Alyssa, I have a secret...
What's that Mr. Stick Man?
I'm really bad at bowling. REALLY BAD. I don't exactly have arm muscles, you know.
That's ok! Everyone is guaranteed a minimum score of 100 per game, even if you don't knock down that many pins. And if you decide not to bowl, you can still donate to sponsor the event.
Oh, that's good. But what about my cousin Freddie who lives out of town?
Well, if he wants to set up a bowling event in his town, we can help him with that too!
Wow. There are so many ways to get involved. How can I sign up?
How much does the Kingdom of God suffer when we pat ourselves on the back for our “random acts of kindness” rather than strategically, intentionally, painstakingly building His kingdom?
A couple of weeks ago, I was reading Whose Child is This? by Bill Wilson.He writes Metro Church about the ministry he founded, by God’s grace, in New York City.They work in ghettos of NYC that make Northeast Minneapolis look like Mayberry.Bill has witnessed 21 murders.He and his staff members have been mugged, robbed, beaten, and shot.This is what they’re willing to face in order to reach children and families in areas full of drugs, prostitution, and gang violence. What an amazing example of what I talked about in the last post: living among the people.But that wasn’t the main thing that caught my attention in this book. Each week they bus in over 20,000 children to their Sunday school programs, and they are having a palpable impact.To what do they attribute the success of their ministry?Personal visitation.Their 100+ full time staff and 350 volunteers make over 20,000 personal visits to the kids every week.Through this, ongoing relationships are established, children feel loved (often for the first time), and disciples are made.
As I read about this, the Holy Spirit convicted me.Sure, we try to do a lot of home visits.But to visit every child every week, taking with us words of Life and finding ways to meet practical needs—would it not revolutionize our ministry?
But it wouldn’t be easy.It would take strong commitment and incredible intentionality.
And so I come back to the question I started with.How much are we missing out on when we fail to be intentional in our ministry efforts?Can we do away with random acts of kindness and start doing intentional acts of kindness?Can we start seeing relationships as the foundation of ministry rather than programs?
Again, I look at Jesus’ life and see someone who was very intentional.He said “no” to things that were not in accordance with his purpose (see, for example Mark 1:35-39).Rather than just teaching whoever would listen, He focused most of his efforts on teaching twelve young men for three years and equipping them for ministry.He always had his ultimate purpose in mind, and when the climax of His ministry was drawing near, Jesus “set his face” for His death in Jerusalem (Luke 9:51, ESV).
I am thankful for the intentionality I see in Living Hope.We have a target area that Steve has “set his face” on for the past 18 years.I see numerous volunteers calling students, meeting with them outside of ministry programs, and writing to them. But I also see room for growth, and I ask you to join with me in praying for greater passion, commitment, consistency, focus, and unity of purpose.Please pray that we will be intentional about intercessory prayer, meeting real needs (Acts 2:42-45), sharing the good news of Jesus, making disciples (Matt. 28:18-20, 2 Tim. 2:2), and equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12).
As for me, I am beginning to set aside time in my schedule for home visits, and I am beginning to disciple a student one-on-one.They are baby steps, but may God be glorified in them!
If you spend a little time driving around NE Minneapolis, you will notice a few things.You will probably notice that once you get into our target area (which Steve has coined the “Miracle Mile”), the houses are not quite as nice and the neighborhoods not quite as safe and sheltered as other areas of NE Minneapolis.Driving down Central Ave, you’ll see Colombian and Ecuadorian, Middle Eastern, East African, Thai, and Indian restaurants, just to name a few.You’ll see signs in various languages.You may notice the Islamic Cultural Center and a Buddhist Temple, but you’ll also notice this: there are a lot of church buildings. In fact, I am told that NE Minneapolis once held the world record for the most churches meeting on one city block.
So, if there are so many churches around here, why am I dreaming about seeing another one started?Well, that’s what I’m going to be blogging about for a while.While a lot could be said about how these churches fall short, that’s not my focus here.I’m thankful for these churches and hope to work with them as much as possible.May God bless their socks off and give them a powerful impact in this community!But the fact is, there are a whole lot more unchurched and unreached people here than these churches are able to reach.So we keep praying to the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into His harvest field.
And as I pray, there are some things I especially ask God to do.I ask that we would be a community centered on Christ, listening like sheep to their shepherd, and living in the power of the Spirit.I ask for proper leadership: elders, deacons, staff people.I ask that our church would be filled with people of all ages from this community and would reflect the ethnic diversity of this neighborhood.I ask for a family of families that meets each others needs so well that the watching world sees that there’s something awesome going on.Yes, and I ask that God will begin this work by raising up leaders from Northeast and relocating people to Northeast.
May we be an incarnational church.
A google search shows me that the words “incarnational ministry” get tossed around a lot.I suppose I better define what I’m talking about.I’m using it in a very general sense to refer to following Jesus’ example in living among the people He ministered to.When Jesus came, he came to the very place we lived.He relocated and dwelt among us—literally “pitched his tent” here on human turf.God incarnated himself in human flesh and breathed the same oxygen molecules that we breathe.And Heaven invaded the culture of Earth.
Jesus shared life with those He ministered to.We see the same thing with Paul, Silas, and Timothy and the Thessalonians: “You know what kind of men we proved to be among youfor your sake” (1 Thess. 1:5).“Being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us” (2:8).
Oh, how I long for a church full of people who live in the same community and work as allies day in and day out to reach that community for Christ.To my knowledge, most of the churches in this area are filled with people who do not live in NE Minneapolis.They are “destination” churches—you come in from the suburbs and go back home—and don’t visit again until next week.Unfortunately, if you don’t live in the community, your impact there is minimal.In the past 17 years, Steve has seen church plants come and leave or rise and fall for that very reason.
People who go into missions overseas understand this.If you’re going to reach a people group, you need to live among them, learn their language, and live somewhere near their socioeconomic level.Then you will be able to develop meaningful relationships with them, show them that you’re there for the long haul, and contextualize the gospel for their culture and situation.
It’s true here too.I wish I had a dime for every time a parent or student here asked me where I live.Living in Northeast Minneapolis (rather than commuting from a suburb) has made an impact on my ability to minister effectively here, and it has helped me gain a lot more trust. Last summer when our whole staff lived here and worked here, we were able to accomplish so much more since we were a team, an alliance, an army in this territory.
Right now we are far from this ideal picture I have in my mind.Don’t get me wrong; I’m extremely thankful for the large force of volunteers that come from Roseville, Downtown Minneapolis, and multiple suburbs!But please pray with me that God will work to raise up leaders from this community and call some to move in.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
God has been teaching me to look beyond what circumstances say is possible. God thrives on raising up unlikely heroes and creating something out of nothing. Replay through your mind the great moments of Biblical history.
A nation is established through a couple who is well beyond child-bearing years.
The ancient world (including the line of Christ) is saved from famine through Joseph, a Hebrew slave-become-prisoner and the dream of a pagan king.
Oppressed and powerless people go freely from their slave-drivers and take rich plunder with them. It was not a revolt led by a fearless leader. It was an exhausted and doubtful people with a frequently reluctant leader (Ex. 4:13; 5:22-23). God did far beyond what anyone could have expected. His glory was revealed.
Samuel anoints the young David as king. He doesn’t look the part, though his brothers might. But there’s another problem here—there’s already a king. Nothing happens for years and years. In fact the anointed one is persecuted, chased down, and lives life in hiding. Was that prophet Samuel loony? No, He trusted a God whose time schedule is different than that of the world—a God who will accomplish His purposes at just the right time.
So many more examples could be cited. The Bible is filled to the brim with examples of God using His people to do what only He can take credit for. I trust in the God of unlikely endings to stories, unlikely means of rescue, unlikely heroes. I trust in the God who prefers an armorless youth with confidence in the LORD rather than a skilled warrior with state of the art weaponry—and confidence in himself.
These are some of our most capable leaders
In many ways Living Hope is weak and incompetent. We don’t have finances. We’re not astoundingly professional or knowledgeable. For the most part we’re run by busy college students who are just beginning to learn about ministry.
But God has done supernatural work in our lives. He’s given us new eyes to see that we are unclean people who live and work among unclean people, and he’s given us a heart to cry out desperately for the kind of transformation that is needed. Like He did for Isaiah, He showed us His glory, atoned for our debilitating sins, and told us, “Go.” He’s given us a heart for a specific place, a small piece of NE Minneapolis where needs are visible and, frankly, insurmountable by human standards. No worries! He’s given us the ability to trust the God of the unlikely to do far beyond what any of us could ask or imagine.
For a long time, those who have a heart for this place have been asking God to plant a church here and to use it to show His matchless power and glory to the watching world. Now Steve has asked us to begin a 40-day period of prayer and fasting. We are committing to come together in crying out to God relentlessly and listening to His voice quietly.
We begin these forty days on Tuesday, January 18. Let me know if you’d like to join us in this and get emails from Steve through this time. And keep checking this blog, as I will be posting about what excites me as I dream of a church plant here. Who knows what God will do? But I trust that He will honor our humble prayers, and I’m going to expect Him to do even greater than what I ask or imagine!
I had a pretty fabulous Christmas break.It wasn’t what I had planned: I didn’t get to read any books, spend hours playing piano, or get alone with God much more than usual.Not a lot of introvert time.But I did get to see a lot of people—a lot of people I love!There was excessive food, much Dutch Blitz, jr. highers with New Year’s noisemakers, meeting new babies, and catching up with old friends. I invented a new board game, heard my brother preach, taught a baby new words, and made ice windows for a snow house.
I counted, and there were at least 9 parties/get-togethers with friends or relatives. Though the introvert in me didn’t get some of that alone time, it’s wonderful to realize how many friends God has blessed me with.The people I was with were not just fair-weather friends.They are the people who pray for me, who keep in touch, who I can still connect with on a deep level. I’m blown away with how many people care for me, laugh with me, encourage me, teach me and reprove me.I don’t have a shortage of people that I can share my deepest struggles, frustrations, passions, and aspirations.What a difference this makes in the struggles of daily life!
When I look at my life and then look at the lives of the students I work with, there is an astounding contrast between my social support system and theirs.Some of them spend their lives on facebook, “connected” to “friends,” but incredibly lonely.Some, without the luxury of the internet, have the TV as their closest companion.There are others who are surrounded by people, but there is no love binding the people together.There is no intimacy.They are looking for love wherever they can get it.
Loneliness.
It’s not just a problem of inner-city teenagers.It’s a problem faced by the bulk of humanity. We all have a God-given longing for belonging and intimacy, but sin holds us back from those deep connections with God and others.
I think one reason that many kids count Living Hope as the highlight of their week is that here they receive that love they’ve been looking for.They feel a sense of belonging, and they develop meaningful relationships with both peers and adult mentors.And most importantly, they discover the most meaningful and intimate relationship possible: oneness with the Triune God.
This is an especially lonely time for a lot of people.In Minnesota winters, people don’t go out as much.Here at Living Hope, we don’t resume our weekly programs until January 18.Please pray for the kids at Living Hope who are desperate for love—that rather than seeking it in an unhealthy relationship, a gang, or a computer screen, they will find it in the Body of Christ.Pray that more believers will move into this community so that they can really
One of our board members here at LHM has said that if the church would live out their calling of living in meaningful relationships with each other, a lot of counselors would be put out of business.
But this takes intentionality.It takes proximity and involvement in each other’s lives.It takes consistency and commitment.It takes dying to self.
How would life change if we lived out the “one another” commands of the New Testament?Let’s find out.
I used to think God might send me as a missionary to Africa. He had other plans for this season of my life, but that doesn't mean I don't get my share of cross-cultural experiences!
Every Tuesday I go to Precious' house to pick her up for our tutoring session. This week marked the last tutoring session of the year, but that wasn't the reason for Precious' excitement when I walked in her door. She knew it was my birthday, and I think she was even more excited about that fact than I was! She had gotten me a birthday present--a beautiful gift bag, cookies, and a card. Her mom, Kate was also home, and she had a special surprise for me: a dress and head dress from her homeland of Nigeria. Though the blistery weather and 4-foot snow-drifts didn't quite match with this summery attire, I tried it on and modeled it for these wonderful ladies. What a fabulous birthday surprise!
