Urban ministry is a special calling. There was a time when I wanted to escape for the city with its gangs, traffic and urban blight. Military service was ticket out but God had different plans.
As I began to discern my call to ministry, the cities kept calling. Circumstances led me first to New Orleans, then to Metro Chicago and now to San Antonio. None of these places were on my wish list but God’s call was clear and I followed. The result has been years of fruitful and fulfilling ministry.
I learned to immerse my in the culture of the cities where I lived. I enjoyed the food, the festivals and the particular seasons. God gave me a heart for the people and for the place itself.
Not everyone can love the city. Some will find ways to escape to the suburbs and never come back. Others will commute because the city still provides employment but will keep their families tucked away in the suburbs.
I thank God for those who minister in the cities of the world, especially those who work among the poor and disenfranchised. They bring hope, fight for justice, and shine the light of the Jesus’ love in the dark places of the world.
Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Jeremiah 29:7
Showing posts with label city. Show all posts
Showing posts with label city. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Focusing on Urban Ministry
I’m changing the emphasis of my blog to focus on what has been at the heart of my ministry over the years. I came to faith in Christ in an inner-city church on the edge of the Overtown neighborhood in Miami. It was a church in a transitioning community whose membership was dwindling.
The church was not going to make it on its own so the members partnered with others to expand its ministry. A Haitian mission was started, summer groups led VBS, and a weekday ESL program was led by members of a more affluent church. The church experienced revival. The VBS led to a children’s Sunday school, the church became a first pastorate for ministry students and, in time, the Haitian mission became strong and took over the building.
The call of the city was strong. While serving a rural church for a few years, I would return with mission teams in the summer to help in the renewal process of my home church in Miami.
Then I went to New Orleans for seminary and planted two churches in the inner city. I was energized by my colleagues who worked in so many different aspects of the complex urban ministry milieu. I also met Ray Bakke, who opened my eyes to the importance of reaching the cities first. My church, just outside the French Quarter, became a learning lab for my fellow seminary students and I to practice what we learned in the classroom.
Upon graduation I did a tour as a Navy chaplain but the city never left my blood. I settled in the Chicago area for 17 years where I planted two churches and helped sponsor others of many different styles and language groups.
I now find myself in San Antonio, enjoying a new city and the challenge of helping a 100 year old church catch a second wind and reach out to this community and people that Jesus loves so much.
The church was not going to make it on its own so the members partnered with others to expand its ministry. A Haitian mission was started, summer groups led VBS, and a weekday ESL program was led by members of a more affluent church. The church experienced revival. The VBS led to a children’s Sunday school, the church became a first pastorate for ministry students and, in time, the Haitian mission became strong and took over the building.
The call of the city was strong. While serving a rural church for a few years, I would return with mission teams in the summer to help in the renewal process of my home church in Miami.
Then I went to New Orleans for seminary and planted two churches in the inner city. I was energized by my colleagues who worked in so many different aspects of the complex urban ministry milieu. I also met Ray Bakke, who opened my eyes to the importance of reaching the cities first. My church, just outside the French Quarter, became a learning lab for my fellow seminary students and I to practice what we learned in the classroom.
Upon graduation I did a tour as a Navy chaplain but the city never left my blood. I settled in the Chicago area for 17 years where I planted two churches and helped sponsor others of many different styles and language groups.
I now find myself in San Antonio, enjoying a new city and the challenge of helping a 100 year old church catch a second wind and reach out to this community and people that Jesus loves so much.
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