Monday, February 26, 2007

Chicago Prayer Summit - Deadline Approaching

Just a reminder, the deadline for registering for the Chicago Prayer Summit is coming up soon (March 15th.) We need to get a firm count of how many people are coming so that we can make the proper preparations.

I have heard from several of you that the registration form was not working correctly. So I have created a new form. This should work fine, but the payment process is no longer automatic. If you want to pay on-line or with credit card just reply to this email and I will give you directions. Otherwise directions for sending a check are on the registration page. If you have any questions feel free to let me know.

To register and get more information about the Chicago Prayer Summit. You can go to http://www.chicagoprayersummit.org.

Remember that The Next Chicago Prayer Summit is April 10, 11, 12 (that is the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after Easter). This will be a great time to refresh after the busy Easter Season.

If you have a question about whether your registration from the old from was submitted properly, please just reply to this email.

Sincerely,
Adam Shields, On behalf of the Chicago Prayer Summit Leadership Team

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White SUburban Woman Reflects on Joining A Black Congregation

I have been thinking a lot about what Kim McCormick had to say when she addressed our group. I thank her for taking the time to prepare the attached summary of her remarks. I urge you to take the time to read them. As a white woman from a large Suburban church who joined a Black congregation, she has a unique perspective. Her family’s call to join a Grace Community Church in Carpentersville and submit to the leadership of Pastor William Emmanuel has led to great blessing as well as hardship and sacrifice for her, her husband Jack, and their two children, but she is not turning back. She is more committed than ever to stay in the battle the Lord has called her to. Her remarks are direct, and may sting a bit, but we all need to hear what the Lord has put on her heart. My prayer is that you are challenged, encouraged, and moved to action by what she has to say.

In Christ, Bob Marsh

= = =

I do not profess to have racial reconciliation all figured out by any means! My prayer is that from my mistakes and my misguided perceptions there will be a redemptive quality to my weaknesses and inadequacies.

But first, let me share a story…..

About 5 years ago I had the honor of being part of opening a wrap around Christian Kindergarten school in the largest public housing project outside of Chicago. We formed a partnership with the local school that serves the under resourced elementary children in our district. The children we served were all “assessed” by the public school as being the lowest of the low academically. After these children were in our program 100% of them exceeded the standards of the district and state in reading skills. Yet when we went to the superintendent of our district to request title one funding money to help support the financial needs of our school we were told there wasn’t any money available. Just 1 year after our school tragically closed down for lack of funds the same district opened up a program similar to ours in the same building we were in with the same title one funds we had requested.

Why? Why is it difficult for us to have a real relationship with each other across racial lines? What prevents us from moving past mere discussion about racial reconciliation to true authentic Christ like love and equality among blacks and whites?

In Matthew 13:25 it says, “But while everyone was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away.” In the book titled, “Dismantling Racism, the Continuing Challenge to White America” by Joseph Barndt, he says, “Racism is an evil weed sown in the garden of humanity.” He goes on to define racism as prejudice plus power. Racism in my experience has been demonstrated in the social structures of institutions, organizations, bureaucracies, the way power is used outside our community seem to kick our community in the behind. Everywhere we turn we experience opposition.

Many different affluent, sincere and well meaning pastors came to tour our school and hear about the ways in which lives were being transformed in our community. I was told by different Pastors that they truly cared and were concerned. Yet often times I felt alone. Where were my other brothers and sisters within all the surrounding churches?

I repeatedly witnessed whites coming to our church or our outreach with a Savior mentality. They believed that the people in our community were inferior and needed fixing. This in reality meant teaching and changing their ways to assimilate into the white way of doing things! The associate pastor and many of the other whites in our church failed to see their own issues that perpetuated the racial divide. I quickly saw this in myself, too. I remember early on, coming to the Pastor and sharing that I was here to learn and listen in order to effectively participate in the discipline and transforming work in the lives of people within our church and community, including myself.

Many times white individuals and churches would offer their time and talents to partner with us but they would pick the starting time, which was normally very early (we laugh at this difference within our church because it is the polar opposite of what African Americans prefer. Only the whites would show up! Not because the blacks weren’t interested they just culturally start later! ). Many were task orientated; blacks put a higher emphasis on relationship. According to Reaching the World Next Door by …Thom and Marcia Hopler. “Biblical reconciliation can occur when we count the experiences of other groups as completely valid”.

I saw white church leaders who wanted to come together and have a foot washing or prayer time with our church and believed that would bring racial reconciliation. Our black brothers and sisters are not interested in appeasing the guilt we have about the injustice. They want equal partnership, equal power, and an authentic working together to create equity and justice. They are tired of our talking and discussing. Why is it so hard for us to come together?

We need to quit focusing on changing them and focus on changing ourselves.

I came in to this church with arrogance and a superiority mindset. I had been part of a large mega church that was thriving. I could show this church how we did small groups, had leadership meetings, and served the community. What could this church teach me? I lacked humility. Why is it so hard for us to come together?

When considering the reasons for the barriers to racial reconciliation I would ask, “Who is creating the vision for racial reconciliation? Are they primarily white?” I had to become aware that being white gave me privileges my brothers and sisters do not have simply because of their color. I could leave this church and the struggle any time. My brothers and sisters have to stay and live within it. That reality effects how far I will allow myself to get involved. If it gets too messy I can go. And many people did just that. I can control how deep into relationship I want to ascend. I can choose how much I am willing to risk or lose. I can decide how much power I want to give up in order to make room for the valuable contribution of an African American brother or sister. Will I move aside so they can succeed? Will I be one of the leaders and not the primary one? Will I listen more and talk less?

I needed to get out of my comfort zone and be stretched in my understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Personal piety and individualism kept me from seeing the gospel beyond a confession of faith in Jesus Christ. The gospel speaks to the spiritual AND social aspects of life. How can we share the message of the gospel and then leave people in a state of poverty and oppression.

I must confess, I thought I was doing a good thing when we served the poor once a month! I felt pretty good about myself! It wasn’t until I got out of my middle-class comforts and got exposed daily to sincere single women struggling to keep a job because they can’t afford childcare. Discipleship is about helping people to be restored in the image of God now not just the hope and promise of eternal life!

There are many sincere well meaning leaders that desire racial reconciliation but have not really considered the cost. When we came to Grace, it was initially exciting being part of a multicultural church. We had been part of a miracle in the neighborhood and knew we were called to this kingdom work.

We didn’t realize we would wrestle with different emotions of guilt, shame, humiliation and even confusion. I started remembering the things my father would say about blacks, I remember being with our Senior Pastor William Emmanuel at a Christian school and the principal not even standing up to shake his hand, my father-in-law refusing to let us invite William and Linda to stay at their place in Lake Geneva. I was embarrassed and humiliated by our race. EX: when I first started preaching- I had unknowingly offended when I said “you people”. I must admit my mistakes and accept it as part of the journey towards loving as Christ does.

We need to avoid being paralyzed by people’s mistrust or assumptions about our actions. I learned that trust takes time. There was a lifetime of oppressive things said and done to my brothers and sisters and they were not readily trusting of why we were there. Even when the school and snack shop was up and running and lives were changing…. I need to continually keep my eyes on Christ and not my circumstances and continue to do the work God has called me to do and invite Him to teach me how to be more loving even when I am misunderstood. I needed to be willing to work through the conflicts.

I didn’t realize that once I moved passed giving the occasional toy or turkey at Christmas or serving the homeless a meal on Saturday and really stepped in to a long term relationship where we walked along side the oppressed it was too much for many of our white friends to handle. I hadn’t considered the cost of losing friends.

I didn’t realize that I would get criticism from whites. Many were challenged by the level of investment my family had made. There was much talk behind my back and even attempts to humiliate me. Some whites went to the Pastor to reprimand me on some false accusation. The institutions we were working with (The school system, management of the complex, even the police station) worked against my efforts to provide holistic ministry within the community. No, I did not sign up for that.

I sometimes feel frustrated when whites intellectually understand the oppressive systems, white privilege, and color blindness yet fail to move beyond talking across racial lines or the occasional get together. True reconciliation will occur with relationship that moves to action together to change the oppression of people of color.

Becky Thompson, author of A Promise and a Way of Life, talked with 39 white racial activists about their individual experiences. Thompson writes about her conversation with activist Sarah Sterns and what she has learned about interacting with people of color. She told Thompson that “Unless I am willing, as the white person, to feel and hold the rage of the cultural and institutional racism, then basically I am exercising my privilege to bring the conversation back to “What does this have to do with me?

I remember when I started to experience the rage. Day in and day out I witnessed pain and suffering. The burden and the heaviness of the oppression brought me to my knees crying out to God! I had to be part of the change! My heart breaks and my soul yearns for the reproach to be lifted off. It has been prayer, the promises given by God and the glimmers of authentic racial reconciliation within our church that sustain me on this journey.

When we keep at arms length or only go to a certain level in relationship, we really do not experience the pain of the oppression of our brothers and sisters. Only when it hurts and affects me and my family will I be motivated to be part of the solution in a more active way.

Consider the cost. I had to check the assumptions, perceptions and stereotypes I had about people of color in order for me to follow the leadership of an African American. Many whites who left our fellowship were unable to respect and see the valuable contribution and visionary leadership in Pastor William. They would go to another white elderly man in the congregation to voice their concerns.

In summary, I remind you of three things. First, understand how white privilege solidifies the perpetuation of oppression in America. Second, consider the cost to true racial reconciliation. And lastly, be willing to put an African American at the helm of your efforts towards racial reconciliation. It is only as we follow and relinquish our power as whites will we begin to heal, restore and transform the racial divide and our communities and nation for Christ.

According to Flora Wilson Bridges who wrote, Resurrection Song, African-American Spirituality, the African American philosophy of life is based on the community- I am because we are.

In Matthew 16:24-25 it says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life must lose it, but whoever loses his life will find it”. Racial Reconciliation requires time and sweat and possibly our very lives like those who have gone before us.

I stay because I love my brothers and sisters and believe in holistic ministry and reconciliation. It is the heart of God. Unity in the body of Christ is God’s intention. Our life has been completely transformed since submitting to living out the gospel the way Christ intended. My prayer is that yours is, too.

I welcome any dialogue you might like to have with me. You can reach me at kmccormick@northpark.edu


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Saturday, February 24, 2007

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Bless Your Block ~ Launch Meeting is March 21st

One Great City ~ CH!CAGO


Bless Your Block
Churches Serving Their Communities

Hosted by Dr. Erwin Lutzer, Pastor of The Moody Church
Facilitated by Phil Miglioratti, One Great City: Ch!cago

Special Guests: Vance Henry, Director of CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategies) along with CAPS District Organizers and Departmental Representatives of City Services

The Question: Would the focused prayers and acts of service by scores of Chicago's Christian congregations have enough impact to transform the lives of neighbors and neighborhoods?

The Answer: Christian leaders are meeting to become the "Yes!" to that question.

WHO - Pastors, Ministry Leaders, Organizational Directors, Denominational Servants … Persons of influence within and across the Body of Christ … Who have a Kingdom-sized vision.

WHAT - A vision-casting gathering to set Bless Your Block in motion.

WHERE - The Moody Church (parking @ NW corner of LaSalle & North)

WHEN - Wednesday, March 21, 2007 from 10am to Noon

WHY - Our Lord & Leader has called us to "get out of our seats and into the streets" so that we bring His light and love to people in darkness and without hope.

HOW - Bless Your Block is a simple strategy intended to mobilize a congregation into self-discerned acts of kindness or service projects ... Churches small or large ... By asking God what breaks His heart on the block your church facility occupies.

FAQ's:

Who is in charge of this?
Bless Your Block is an initiative of congregations and ministries who serve Jesus Christ as Lord. One Great City and CAPS serve as only catalysts. Churches (or other religious organizations) do not need permission from CAPS or One Great City to show kindness to people in their neighborhoods.

What is the strategy?
Bless Your Block calls churches to:
* Pray for their neighbors by name - A relational component
* Care for their neighborhood by need = A practical component
* Share their faith-hope-love in Christ as opportunities arise - A spiritual component

Why is CAPS involved?
CAPS has a commitment to improve Chicago's neighborhoods by any means possible which has led them to partner with faith communities. CAPS does not control the service projects nor limit the conversation of persons providing service. Obviously, messengers of faith and hope will be expected to demonstrate love in the process of serving or sharing.

Does a congregation involved with Bless Your Block automatically endorse CAPS, OGC, or other participating congregations?
No. Participation does not reflect any political or theological agreement among registered organizations. Our common cause is serving communities in the name of Christ.

What does it cost to participate?
Nothing. Everything.
Nothing - There is no registration cost. Participation is completely voluntary.
Everything - Any congregation or organization seeking to bless their neighbors must sacrifice time in praying, caring and sharing. Service project costs are the responsibility of each participating group.

What is required of a participating ministry/
Each Bless Your Block group agrees to:
1. Prayer - We will pray for direction in how to best serve our neighborhood and will mobilize our entire constituency to pray for our neighbors
2. Care - We will perform at least one service project during the summer of 2007.
3. Share - We will be prepared to explain the hope within us as opportunities arise.

What is our goal?
Four participating congregations and/or ministries in each of the 25 CAPS Districts would result in 100 acts of kindness impacting citizens, their communities and our city.

The strategy is simple but how do we get help or training or resources?
OGC & CAPS will work together to provide training during the spring as a prelude to a summer of serving and caring.

How do we register?
One Great City will keep a list of participating congregations.

OK, one more time . . .
What? ... "Bless-Your-Block"
An opportunity for congregations and ministries to show & tell the love & mercy of Christ
When? ... Summer '07 (each congregation & ministry determine their own "what & when" acts of service)
Where? ... We hope to cover Chicago, block-by-block; wherever you live or worship or work or play
Why? ... Neighbors and neighborhoods are stronger and safer when blessed with good works and good words
How? ... Churches and organizations will deploy teams to clean, paint, fix, mow, rake, help - Anything that makes living on that block better
Who? ... To register as a Bless-Your-Block participant contact Phil Miglioratti * phil@nppn.org * 847-344-7837

Join us for an informational meeting: March 21st, 10am to Noon at The Moody Church (1609 N. LaSalle)

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Monday, February 12, 2007

The ACT 3 Forum

ACT 3, a ministry for renewing Christian thought and life, invites you to participate in its new ACT 3 Forum events. Three specific events have been scheduled for 2007.

“Delivered from Darkness to God’s Light: How a Jehovah’s Witness Elder Came to Follow Christ” Ron Nollet

Sunday, March 18, @ 6:00 p.m. @ Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 29W260 Batavia Road, Warrenville, Illinois

Ron Nollet

Ron Nollet was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness and until resigning at the age of 47, served as a pioneer (full-time minister), ministerial servant (deacon) and elder (pastor). He has owned a machine building company for the past 27 years. Since resigning as an elder five years ago and walking away from the religion of his birth, Ron has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Counseling from the International Theological Seminary, and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Divinity program. He is currently the pastor of the East Marion Community Church. He and his wife, Adriana, also raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, live in Southold, New York, and have three children.

“Should Christians Support Stem Cell Research?” Charles McGowen. M.D.

Sunday, May 6, @ 6:00 p.m. @ Lutheran Church of the Master, 580 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream, Illinois

Dr. Charles McGowen

Charles McGowen, M.D., practiced internal medicine for thirty-one years. A native of Northeastern Ohio, he is a graduate of the College of Medicine of the Ohio State University (1961). He served in the U. S. Air Force as a flight surgeon and remains actively engaged in community activities, including past service on the local school board and consulting work for the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation. Dr. McGowen began his Christian journey in 1970 and immediately became an avid Bible student and active lay Bible teacher. He is the author of five books, including Let’s Talk About Heaven and Dissecting the Truth (on the Apostle’s Creed). Married for fifty years, he resides with his wife Kay in Warren, Ohio, and serves on the advisory board of ACT 3. He has testified before the Ohio House and Senate on the issue of Embryonic Stem Cell research.

“The Roman Catholic and Evangelical Dialogue: Reflections on Ecumenism for the 21st Century”

Catholic Participants: Thomas Baima and Robert Barron

Protestant Participants: John H. Armstrong and P. Andrew Sandlin

Sunday, September 16, @ 6:00 p.m. Location TDB

For more information visit www.act3online.com, or call (630) 221-1817 during weekday business hours. There is no charge or required registration for these events. A free-will offering to cover expenses will be taken.

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Sunday, February 11, 2007

Catalyst for Prayer

IGNITE - Friday February 16th at 8pm

A gathering of young adults in Lake County to light the fuse for spiritual
revolution (all are welcome.)

Location: Wauconda Evangelical Free Church 700 West Liberty (just west of
Rte. 12 on Hwy. 176

Sponsored by Catalyst and Fusion Church

ENCOUNTER - A gathering of the community for Worship and Prayer

Sunday March 18th at 6pm

WHEN WE PRAY - Saturday April 21st 9am to 1pm at the Chapel, Hawthorne Hills Campus

Location: 1200 American Way, Libertyville (just east of Hwy 45 and Winchester Rd.)

Theme: Unity in Purpose for Revival in Lake County

MIDWEST SPIRITUAL FORMATION FORUM - Wed. June 6 - 8 at Elmbrook Church in Wisconsin

Check out the website at www.spiritualformationforum.org Midwest Conference


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Friday, February 09, 2007

Caring in Chicago - Your Invitation

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6855 West 65th Street, Bedford Park, IL. 60638 Tel. (708) 496 – 0879 Fax (708) 496 - 0904

February 06, 2007

Dear Pastors & Community Partners,

Choicest greetings from the Oasis Dream Center and Angel Food Ministries! I am delighted and honored to introduce to you one of the most effectual answers to the Church’s role in helping feed families in our diverse global communities and through this ministry share the wonderful love of the Lord to multitudes of persons. Angel Food Ministries is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation based in Monroe, Georgia which partners with many host churches and sites in the country to deliver restaurant-quality food products worth $60 - $100 per box to thousands of people each month for a token donation of $25 per box.

We have the privilege of hosting the Founder of the Angel Food Ministry, Pastor Joel Wingo on February 27, 2007 at the Oasis Center, 6855 W. 65th Street, Bedford Park, IL 60638 at 12.00pm. This is a free, strategic, networking luncheon for progressive Pastors and Community Leaders like you to learn and unite to extend the Kingdom of God through this unique food ministry. At this enlightening and refreshing function, you will learn how the Wingos through the Angel Food Ministries have given over $14 million since its inception to its National host site partners to help them continue in building and strengthening our communities with the love of Christ.

To learn more about Angel Food Ministries’ inspiring history, myriad of wonderful partners and to review their up-coming menu, you can visit their website at www.angelfoodministries.com. We also have a short DVD presentation on the ministries and will be delighted to send you a free copy on request. I believe that as Leaders who serve the general public, utilizing some proven tools such as the Angel Food concept to help families supplement their incomes will progressively motivate and impact our communities in the right direction.

It is with much pleasure that I extend a warm invitation to significant stakeholders like you to come and enjoy a strategic opportunity and excellent lunch that promises to enrich our individual and corporate commitments to grow in 2007. I trust that long-lasting relationships will be built between the Angel Food Ministries and ourselves as we partner as churches, schools, non-profit organizations to demonstrate the love of God in our communities. I kindly request that you respond to this invitation today, at 708-496-0879 and/or send us your response card by February 19th, 2007. If your firm or organization is interested in renting a vendor booth to display your products or services in our Economic and Community Relations Exhibition, please contact Ms. Regina Banks at Oasis Dream Center at 708-496-0879. I look forward to a wonderful fellowship together.

Sincerely, Dr. Isaac Paintsil, Sr. Pastor, Oasis Dream Center

Community Service Profile

Our Mission: Empowering Non-Profits, Churches, Schools, and businesses as a supplement support to equip families or individuals to achieve more good successes.

Objective:

  • Provide food, clothing, furniture, or appliance to reestablish family units at home
  • Provide food distribution networks to feed the nation’s hungry
  • Provide fundamental literacy proficiency services for families, adults or children
  • Provide housing referrals for temporary or permanent residential living
  • Provide supplemental socio-economic continuum of care collaborations
  • Provide economic capacity building solutions to retain jobs and/or industry
  • Provide open forums on best practices for diverse social problems

The Oasis Dream Center (ODC) is one of the nation’s most innovative socio-economic development organizations, diversely impacting our global communities. It is strengthening our next generation of community leaders for those generations yet to be born. Its socio-economic development focus is the creation of progressive partnerships with entities actively serving families and individuals seeking help to deal with their unique everyday struggles.

ODC staff and volunteers daily enrich our global communities. We are feeding the homeless on the street, distributing clothing, furnishings, and basic necessity items. Other personal items given include things such as soap, and personal hygiene products. We also give employment/job leads, make housing referrals, and establish vital resource linkages.

The fundamental social and economic focus of ODC is to enable community leaders via active partnerships with diverse organizations. As our goals are fulfilled they fortify recipients as effective supplemental support alternatives. Our essential solutions offered are general items one would need to sustain wholesome family life, preventing chronic homelessness cycles, reduction or elimination of children starving in their homes.

ODC staff works with its partners to get a complete picture and understanding of how to help meet the defined social, healthcare, spiritual, and basic nutritional challenges. We work with our partners to increase their available resource supply capacity as providers of effective transformational support. ODC is working with its partners to enable families or individuals to build sustainable life opportunities. Our sole purpose is to enable people so they no longer need supplemental aide but become donors to others in need. So contact the Oasis Dream Center to become a member of an innovative force of excellence. We need your help in our communities to build global and economic solutions that serves all nations of hurting people. For more information call Ms. Banks at: (708)-496-0879.



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Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Amazing Grace ~ You've Sung the Song; Now See the Movie!

I was privileged Monday night to pre-screen the upcoming movie, "Amazing Grace," and I heartily recommend that you not only see the movie on the opening weekend of February 23rd, but that you invite your church's small groups, your co-workers, and anyone else you can think of to join you.

Movie is as well done as "Pride and Prejudice," with the Gospel message even clearer than in "Chariots of Fire." It's the kind of movie all Christians should support, and we can send a strong message to Hollywood
if we all get out and see it on the February 23rd opening weekend. Here is how it is described:
"the epic story of the abiding faith and uncommon courage of William
Wilberforce and a community of abolitionists...the story of a reluctant
leader called to do the impossible and the loyal friends (including John
Newton, the man who wrote the song Amazing Grace) who risk everything to
join him"

Go to http://amazinggracemovie.com/ for additional movie information and to view the movie trailer. Those who have already seen a screening from Tyndale have given it great reviews!! It's a remarkable story and Albert Finney (John Newton) and Ioan Gruffurdd (William Wilberforce) give awesome performances!

Your brother in Christ, Larry Kendrick
lkendrick@wheatoncrc.org


http://lists.christianitytoday.com/t/6039779/202765/126652/0/ The 10 Most Redeeming Films of 2006
What do a shy-but-brilliant speller, a dead Mexican guy, a street thug from Soweto, a compassionate spider, an anti-Nazi young woman, and the baby Jesus have in common? They're all in movies that we've just voted the ten most redeeming films of 2006.
from ChristianityTodayMovies.com

What do we mean by "redeeming" films? They're all stories of redemption—sometimes blatantly, sometimes less so. Several of them literally have a character that represents a redeemer; one even includes the Redeemer. With others, you might have to look a bit harder for the redemptive thread, but it's certainly there.

| Finish this article |

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Friday, February 02, 2007

Bless Your Block ~ Praying, Helping, Sharing


Light Your World

You can start by getting to know your neighbors.

By Judy Busic

I grew up in a neighborhood on the near north side of Chicago. There was no air conditioning back then, so we would spend our summer evenings sitting out on the front steps visiting with the neighbors. We not only knew most of the people on our block, we also watched out for one another. I knew if I did something wrong my mother would hear about it from someone! After living in Berwyn, Illinois, for eight years, I was sad to realize that I only knew two of my neighbors well. I missed the kind of neighborhood I grew up in. Jesus tells us to love our neighbors. But how could I love them if I didn’t even know who they were?

Forming a relationship with someone is never easy, but something wonderful can sometimes begin by sharing a simple hello. I used to work at a large office, and at Christmastime I would get a sizeable quantity of the WMBI (the Moody radio station) Christmas music postcards and leave them on my co-workers’ desks. I realized a good way to introduce myself to my neighbors would be to wish them a Merry Christmas and leave a postcard with them as well, in hope they would continue to listen after the holidays. I was surprised at how well my efforts were received! It got me thinking about ways to reach out to my neighbors with the love of Christ. Here are some ideas that have worked with my neighbors – perhaps they’ll be helpful as you reach those in your world.

Prayer
I suggested getting together regularly to pray for our neighbors with my Christian friend and neighbor, Annette. She agreed, and I offered to go door-to-door to gather prayer requests. Most neighbors were very surprised when I showed up on their doorstep. Some invited me into their homes, but others were very cautious. As I continued to visit, however, even the most hesitant became friendly.

The first time I went around asking for requests, I got vague responses like, “just pray for my family” or “pray for world peace.” The next month people started taking us seriously. We got our first real prayer requests from children: Katherine asked me to pray for Grandma Katie and her stomach problems; Alex asked for prayer for their safe travel to Mexico, and Erica asked that the new kids on the block would be nice to her.

On my second time around, I met one of the husbands and explained why I was there. He thanked me and said things were fine. When his wife asked who was at the door, he told her and she came running. I learned that while they were trying to adopt their foster child, a man claiming to be the father had shown up, wanting the child back. Now the requests were getting serious.

One day, when leaving (my neighbors) Doris and Joe’s house, their daughter Diane was behind me signaling to her mom. Doris asked if I would pray for Diane’s friend, who was being abused. We stood on their front porch and joined hands. With heads bowed and tears flowing, we asked God to protect this little girl. A short time later, the girl was removed from her home and placed in her grandmother’s care. She attends the same school, so she and Diane can continue to see each other.

Sharing Christ at Holidays
Many of my new neighbors are Latino. One year, Annette and I gave them New Testaments for Christmas, providing them in both English and Spanish. The following Easter we gave them the Jesus film. This video, which includes a prayer of salvation at the end, is available through the Lighthouse Project for about $5 each and is available in English and Spanish (see box for purchase information). We attached popcorn and a gift card to the video and invited them to have a movie night on us. One child hugged my knees to thank me and said I was a nice lady.

We realized we’d found a great way to reach people. On Halloween, we delivered goody bags to the kids. They were surprised that we came to them. Heading home after my last stop, I heard someone calling my name. One of the children had goodies for me!

We are able to reach out to our new friends throughout the year, not just on holidays. I share copies of the devotional booklet, Our Daily Bread (which I get free), with them quarterly. It’s available in English and Spanish, and the neighbors really look forward to receiving them.

Crafts and Homemade Gifts
In addition to sharing the Scripture with others, we are able to be witnesses of God’s love to our neighbors by sharing our time and gifts with them. Since I’m into crafts and Annette is an artist, one Christmas we decided to have the ladies in the neighborhood come over to make wreaths. We had fun doing it together, and I had an opportunity to explain to the ladies, using a cross anchored in a gift box, that each of us needs to accept God’s gift to us: His Son. This past Christmas we made personal gifts and gave them to each neighbor with a homemade card and gospel tract enclosed.

Helping Neighbors with Needs
As we get to know our neighbors better, we become more aware of their personal needs. One of the neighbors I have gotten to know well is a shut-in, and I am able to help her by getting her mail for her, and feeding the birds, squirrels, and outdoor cats for her. These are small things for me to do, but they mean a lot to her.

I’m not the only one sharing a helping hand. One neighbor, also a believer, joined me in shoveling snow for someone recovering from surgery. Annette helps out by making extra portions when she cooks so she can take meals to some of the elderly ladies on the block. Another friend of mine gets baked goods from a local bakery and shares some with me so I can give them to the larger families. When a neighbor is sick, we leave a card or note letting them know we care and are praying for them. I recently found door hangers that I can print my own message on (and some Scripture) to let neighbors know I’ve stopped by to see them, and remind them to call if they have a special need for prayer.

Continue Feeding Your Friendships
God knows me well enough to know He couldn’t just tell me to start a neighborhood ministry. He started by having me take one small step, which resulted in the desire to do more. I’ve come a long way in getting to know my neighbors, but I’m already dreaming about how to reach out to them this year. Perhaps I’ll organize a block party so the neighbors can get to know each other. After that I’m hoping the ladies will feel comfortable enough to come to a Bible study in my home.

Amazingly, God uses the talents and gifts He has given us so we can enjoy serving Him. God has not only used my gift of evangelism, but He has brought Annette alongside as well, using her to reach out in her own unique way with her own unique gifts. What a joy it has been to watch her grow in the process. We hope others will in some way see the light of Christ in us and be drawn to Him.

Through the years, I’ve rejoiced with some over answered prayers, and mourned with others over the loss of a family member. But now, when I pray for them, it’s with a concerned heart. I have been so blessed, receiving back far more than I’ve given. I wish I could tell you that neighbors call or visit regularly to ask how they can know Christ. That hasn’t happened yet – but we’re still praying!

We continue to let our light shine by being available to our neighbors. I no longer consider the individuals in my mission field as simply my neighbors, they have become friends. The best part is that when I walk or ride my bike down the block, I can greet my neighbors by name!

{Judy Busic retains full copyright on her testimony as it was printed in Just Between Us magazine of Elmbrook Church. She grants you permission to post it on your log.}

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