Signs of Life ~ Chicago's Storefront Churches

BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: Now, a look at one of the signs of life in poor city neighborhoods -- storefront churches. As Jody Hassett Sanchez reports from Chicago, most of them do not thrive by preaching fear of hell. They preach love and gratitude, and they meet their worshippers right where they are.

JODY HASSETT SANCHEZ: Pastor Evelyn Atwood has been leading the worship for more than 20 years at Lily of the Valley Spiritual Church in one of Chicago's grittier neighborhoods. But she always had to hold down a second job during the week because the storefront church couldn't pay her a salary.

Pastor EVELYN ATWOOD (Lily of the Valley Spiritual Church, Chicago): I worked in the stockyard. I worked in the factory, which as of now I don't work, because I'm retired -- a senior citizen. I'm 81-years-old. So, you know, I'm not working nowhere now, so that's the way that goes.

SANCHEZ: Well, that's not exactly true. Pastor Atwood, who now shares the preaching duties, is still at the church several days a week doing whatever needs to be done to keep the church up and running.

Pastor ATWOOD: We're like a family. I wash dishes as much as anybody else, scrub floors, do anything else that it might be kept clean.

SANCHEZ: Churches like Lily of the Valley got the name "storefront" because they often exist in abandoned commercial strips in some of the country's toughest neighborhoods. The rent is cheap, and landlords are grateful to have church members instead of drug dealers coming and going from their property===>Click headline to access entire article . . .

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Gay Games Invade Chicago ... Respond with Prayer

Dear Friends, the Gay Games begin this Saturday
(July 15th-22nd). Uptown Baptist Church is stepping out in
faith in providing a servant evangelism opportunity
for many churches in the Chicagoland area. As you may
know the Gay population has felt hated on by the
Christian community in many ways.

Senior Pastor Michael Allen has been lead by God to
present a positive Christian witness by being at the
Gay games and providing bottled water for
participants. These bottles of water will have the
message that Jesus Loves You and We Do Too. It will
also have the rainbow on it, with a Christian
explaination for what the rainbow actually means.

There will be optional tracts available called I was
Gay from a brother that has come out of the homosexual
lifesytle as well. Now that you know the details
please join us in interceding for this event. May God
not only use us as a witness in the Gay community, but
also to the many people that are attending the event
from all over the world. Thanks for your prayers.
Lord's Blessing, Pastor Mark Jones
===>Click headline for ore info . . .

Prayer Needs For The Gay Games Outreach

For God’s strength and power for Pastor Allen as he
fasts for the 21 days surrounding the Gay Games.

That the Lord would give Pastor Allen the right words
to respond to questions or accusations made towards
him regarding UBCs motives with this outreach.

For God’s glory as we lead Chicago churches in the Gay
Games Christian Love Outreach.

For God to protect our church from attacks of the
enemy through protests or slander.

For key leaders in the community to support our church
and to meet with pastor Allen to clarify any concerns
regarding the GGO.

For enough volunteers for the GGO. For God to protect
everyone involved in this outreach. For the volunteers
to respond with the love of Christ regardless of how
people may respond to them.

For our volunteers to show the love of Christ and not
misrepresent our churches vision

For UBC members and friends to support this effort by
volunteering, interceding in prayer and giving
financially to defray the 7K expense for supplies.

That the Lord would provide the necessary funding to
pay for the resources for the Gay Games Outreach. At
this time the GGO will cost our church 7K more than we
have funding for. Please pray about what God would
have you give to help accomplish this great effort.
You can make the check out to UBC & designate your
gift by placing GGO on the memo line of your check or
envelope.

Philippians 4:6-7 says Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Thanks for all your prayers. More than any other
actions our prayers will determine the outcome of this
outreach. Lord's Blessing, Pastor Mark


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One Hour Mission Trip to Chicago?!

My name is JP Paulus with YouthPartnersNET (YPN), a national organization that assists ministries to at-risk youth. YPN has partnered with Urban Connexx, a ministry of Lifeway Christian Resources, to help minister to the inner city churches of Chicago.

In my role as YouthPartnersNET’s Chicago networker, my heart’s desire is to see God’s kingdom grow in Chicago, especially different churches and ministries connecting with each other. I believe one way for that to happen is for churches in Chicago’s suburbs (where I grew up) to spend some quality time with ministries in the city (where I now live and minister).

We would like to invite you to an informational session on Urban Connexx, and your mission team’s possible role. We will meet at North Park University on Tuesday, July 18 at 10 am. Afterward, we’ll visit some of the Urban Connexx mission sites so you will get a feel for the ministry. Lunch is provided.

You may be asking yourself “Why should we go on a mission trip that’s an hour away?” Join us on July 18, and we can discuss the answers, which include being able to personally follow-up with those you served (and served with) later on in the year, as well as the opportunity to actually bring those you served to your church and visit your world, and bringing unity to the Kingdom.

The July 18 date is certainly not your only opportunity to find out more on Urban Connexx or to sign up. However, it will be the last time this summer you can see how Urban Connexx operates in the “real world”.

If you have any questions, please contact myself, JP Paulus @ 312-282-2809 or jp@youthpartnersnet.org or Urban Connexx director Lorie Lee @ 615.251.5950 or Lorie.Lee@lifeway.com.

===>Click headline to access the official website for Urban Connexx. For more information on YouthPartnersNET, please visit our website at www.youthpartnersnet.org

We look forward to seeing you on July 18!


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Free Water ~ Outreach @ Gay Games in Chicago: Update

Hey friends-

a friend and I were recently on a talk radio station in Chicago -

...thought you'd enjoy the update. Our church is spearheading an outreach to the gay & lesbian community duing the Gay Games in Chicago (July 15-22). We will be passing out water bottles with a website on them linking people to a website that shares the gospel in an interactive way and linking people to area churches. We will be simply sharing the love of Jesus in a non-confrontational, loving way. Please please please bathe this in prayer. This is a tremendous opportunity to be a light in a dark place and for God to be glorified. We need the body of Christ to be working together and we need your help in prayer.

God bless, Heather Froman

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