Love Thy Neighbor and Thy City

Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers.  And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy.  Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood.  Tell them that the kingdom is here.  Bring health to the sick.  Raise the dead.  Touch the untouchables.  Kick out the demons.  You have been treated generously, so live generously." - Matt. 10:5-8 (The Message)

Here at Christ For the City, our vision is that there would be "No place without a witness, no church without a vision, and no person without hope."  And we believe that this starts with cities, hence the name of our organization.  An article came in my inbox today, written by Tim Keller.  It's titled  "A Vision to Reach the City."  Keller mentions in the article that "Per capita, the cities are really underchurched and they're getting more underchurched all the time."  He says, "Churches, denominations and mission organizations must do more to try to reach the growing urban population around the world."  Cities are growing at a faster rate for the first time in over a century.  And not just in the United States, but globally.  You can read the rest of the article here: http://www.outreachmagazine.com/people/4932-tim-keller-a-vision-to-reach-the-city.html?p=1.

The Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership says that, as of May 2011, Omaha, Nebraska has a population of 408,958.  A year-and-a-half later, that number has increased by almost 20,000.  This does not include the surrounding Greater Omaha Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and the more than 1.2 million people that live within an easy sixty minute drive of Omaha.  Where do you live?  I would encourage you to do some research on the demographics in your area--a quick internet search would put this information at your fingertips.  

The Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life released a report earlier this month.  The name of this report is called "'Nones' on the Rise: One-in-Five Adults Have No Religious Affiliation."  On one hand, the title alone is enough to shock us.  On the other hand, though, why should we be surprised?  When we look at what is running rampant through our society--pornography, alcohol and drug addiction, idol worship, homosexuality, broken homes, violence, a me-centered philosophy--it's easy to agree that one-in-five adults have no religious affiliation.

Here's what the Pew Forum says:

The number of Americans who do not identify with any religion continues to grow at a rapid pace. One-fifth of the U.S. public – and a third of adults under 30 – are religiously unaffiliated today, the highest percentages ever in Pew Research Center polling.  In the last five years alone, the unaffiliated have increased from just over 15% to just under 20% of all U.S. adults. Their ranks now include more than 13 million self-described atheists and agnostics (nearly 6% of the U.S. public), as well as nearly 33 million people who say they have no particular religious affiliation (14%).

If you care to thumb through the report, here's the link: http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/Unaffiliated/NonesOnTheRise-full.pdf.

Why do I mention these scores of people?  And why do I acknowledge the apathetic?  I talk about them, because Jesus talked about them.  Not only did Jesus talk about them, he addressed their sin.  He loved on them.  He showed them an inordinate amount of grace and mercy.  He wasn't afraid to hang out with them in public (Matt. 9, Luke 19).  Jesus did it right and I think we have a thing or two or much to learn from Him on how to love thy neighbor and thy city.

Jesus' attitude and actions are a challenge for me.  Far too often, I find myself living my easy Christian life.  On Sunday morning, I go to church with Christians.  On Tuesday and Thursday nights, I again hang out with Christians through my Bible Studies.  Monday-Friday, I work in an office with some pretty amazing Christians.  And somewhere along the line, I've forgotten about the unchurched, the apathetic, and the unreached.  It's time that I pull out my Bible and refresh myself on the principles and teachings therein.

"Stand up for me against world opinion and I'll stand up for you before my Father in heaven.  If you turn tail and run, do you think I'll cover for you?  Don't think I've come to make life cozy....  This a large work I've called you into, but don't be overwhelmed by it.  It's best to start small.  Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance.  The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice.  You won't lose out on a thing." - Matt. 10:32-34, 42

Be blessed,

Julie

Testimony of an Urban Plunge Participant

Following a recent weekend Urban Plunge trip, one participant shared this testimony with us:

The Urban Plunge isn’t something you do; it’s something you experience, something you feel, something you see. It wasn’t easy for me to write about this; because honestly how do you describe in detail what your heart feels? We, as a group, heard amazing stories of how God was at work for them. Each ministry has been touched so lovingly, so gently by the grace of God. 

Out of everything we experienced, all we saw, each ministry we listened to, what has stayed with me and been the most powerful was the church of the Empty Tomb. You saw all walks of life. Every nationality, every race…every “class” of people, from those who had a warm house and a bed to go home to, to those with nothing but the trash bag they came in with. You smelled the fragrance of life and saw it on their faces. Everyone in that church had a story. They were all there to come together and praise our Lord and Savior. They all believed! 

I love my church; I feel that this is where I was meant to be. But last Sunday, I was EXACTLY where I was supposed to be. I felt His presence so strongly there. In Matthew 18:20 “for where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” And that is so true. He is here with us, but never before have I felt His warmth, His love so strongly as at that church. I had a smile on my face so wide I think the corners of my mouth actually touched my ears. My cheeks ached. I cried, I laughed, I sang, I praised God, I praised Jesus…and I thanked Him for His mercy, His love, His compassion. 

The Holy Spirit is alive and bright within me!! John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” I will take that light and go light my world. God is great, God is wonderful. I KNOW, because I met him last weekend. 

Do I recommend the Plunge? Yes! If your heart is willing and open, then jump in with both feet!!!

Thanks, Nancy, for sharing about how the Plunge impacted you.

If you're in the U.S. and haven't experienced the Urban Plunge, yet, check out: www.urbanplunge.com.  We'd LOVE to have you!

Testimony from Tyler

We always love to hear testimonies from our individuals on the field.  Tyler Champagne, one of our Short-term Individuals, is serving with us in Bolivia until April 5th.  Last week, we received the following email from him and wanted to share it with you all.  He wrote about how his life will change upon returning to the states.  Enjoy, and be inspired by what Tyler is taking away from his experience in Bolivia!

Lifestyle changes.  Where to begin....  I think the biggest thing will be putting God number one in my life, all the time.  This is very hard to do as a 26 year old in the states.  There are many distractions and temptations.  This experience has really put my focus into place.  How this will transcend into back in the states?  I'm not sure if I told you about the International Outreach my church does at a local university.  I plan on getting deep into this when I return.  I want to really get after the Spanish speaking students and get them to come to church with me and form great friendships.   

One thing I love about Cochabamba and my friends here, we all hang out together all weekend.  This hanging out mainly includes church related activities.  This keeps us focused on God and away from weekend temptations.  I have a great group of about 7 or 8 friends that are all near my age.  On Saturday nights, we have service together.  Many of them play the music for service on Sunday mornings, so they rehearse both Saturday night and Sunday morning.  For Saturday, everything goes from around 4:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.  Then, we all get dinner together before calling it a night.  We meet back up at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning, rehearse, have prayer time, service time, then go out to eat as a church.  We're done at 2:00 usually.  But then, we meet back up at 4:00 to play sports together and get dinner after.  I return home around 9:00 on this evening. 

I absolutely love my Sundays!  I hope to bring part of this back to the states.  As Americans, we are content with just giving one hour per week to God and thinking that's good.  I have learned this is far from enough!  I hope to have success with the International Outreach back home.  We do an open house thing on Sunday afternoons from 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.  My goal is to eventually get many people to show and to have a great outreach.   

To summarize, I am more focused on keeping God as my top priority at all times when I return home.  This was not the case before my trip.  It most certainly will be after.

 Thanks for sharing, Tyler!  We're so happy God is working in your life!