Arrionna's Influence

I am writing, because I must tell you living in florida away from this vibrant ministry I was a part of is tough, but I take notice of the testimonies I hear from my brothers and sisters who are still there leading the ministry.

I also must say that one of my most fond memories is that of Arrionna coming up to me,  a little girl of 8 years old then, who is probably 10 now,  but she said,  "I am so excited to be here,  I wish I could give to help this ministry." "Do you think if I give my bus fair in the offering plate that I would have used to get back home,  You could help me find an adult that I could trust to get me a ride home from church?  I love it here!"  This week I am praying for this family,  they are in a shelter in Adrian Michigan, and I know they miss their friends and family, and more importantly their church home.  I am thankful for God letting me be a part of their lives,  Cyerra, Torian and Arrionna, but i pray that loving folks will help them get back with those whom they love and love God with in their spiritual family.

God Bless them.  I still learn from youth who give me this kind of example of how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  

God Bless You!
From a Gentle Giant Forerunner of Christ's Peace.

T-minus 5 months and Counting

You may have heard I'm leaving Detroit Hope, but may have heard some rumor about the reasons, frankly no matter how many times I say it, I think people think I am making the decision for reasons that are not valid, or they would rather have me in Detroit forever. Well folks. It is not about me. It never has. It is about God, and what God is doing up here. And what God has blessed and will continue to. I just want to set the record straight.

I have been on the ground, in some way, intern or pastor, for the better part of seven years. I worked in 2004 with John Atkinson, and there were some of the children from that summer camp program. The way I have measured this, I met David McCray when he was 14, and now he is 21. I have had 7 years influence on his life, and the many lives in the community thanks to the Grace of God letting me be apart of it. We have accomplished so much. Helping families, creating a culture of faith, education, confidence, and working through every struggle and every concern. We have also focused on building a body of Christ that has become a spiritual family that bares each others burdens and lifts up the Yo Buddies and the Me toos in good times and in bad to emphasize the fact that we can care and help each other.

Rachel and I knew that when Levi was born, it was the beginning of a countdown clock in our minds, that we were either 1800 miles from Rachels Family, or 1200 miles from our family. We began to think about Levi's relationship with family so far away, his schooling, his family life, and his extra curricular activities as well as family time with his parents. If Residence Life and Urban Church planting continued to run on the same time table, while he would be at school I would have the mornings off, but I would be working until after he is in bed, and so would Rachel. She just got hired in a new job at the University of Western Florida. We thought this job would come more in like the summer, but it came as early as December 1. Her Job has benefits such as spouse tuition benefit, and other perks that made this move to florida, close to her family, a blessing dropped in our lap.

This is just the beginning of the discussion, and I will continue with this discernment decision in the next post. My computer is dying.

Peace and Justice in a harsh neighborhood

On June 9^th we had a familiar bunch from Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri come to our aid at Detroit Hope. Twenty-Six Senior high came prepared, and not so prepared for an experience of their lifetimes. Their youth leader Dee Jones from Lamoni Heartland mission center was one of the youth leaders that raised me up through youth programs at Guthrie, Spec, IYF and other youth activities. Every year she would venture out taking youth to places all over the continental United States, and Canada in the name of mission and work camp, and she graced us with their last trip before her retirement. What a humbling, honoring gesture. Detroit Hope would not know what it was about to experience.

The first day, they traveled 12 hours. On a bus, crammed in there, 26 youth and 8 staff. They rested on Thursday, and we explained what they would face in the neighborhood, and some of our ministry history. Then we led them down to the church, and they worked all afternoon and evening. I had a list of Work projects to do, and in that first day, they accomplished like seventy to eighty percent of them.

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we left for Toronto, myself and all of these amazing people from out west. We went up and met J.W. Windland and he led these youth on a religious experience through his research and connections to 4 temples and holy places and talked to us about the respectful way to attend, and how to respond, and how to understand their beliefs more wholistically. It really brings about a peace and a mutual respect in the hearts of those who attended. Going to a Seek Temple, a Hindu Temple, a Buddhist Temple and a Islamic Mosque center for prayer.

When we got back, we made it for Sunday service, and the youth were so excited to attend and help that they worked between when we arrived and when we had church to prepare a barbeque and also be active in our service that night.

I must remark now about the work that they did from Monday through Wednesday Night. However I think a list would be more appropriate:

· They Cleaned the Windows

· Re-Planted our garden

· Weeded the Sidewalks

· Painted the Foyer

· Painted the Bathroom

· Took down a rotting shelf in the kitchen

· Planned and Carried out a Vacation Bible School

· Cleaned and straightened the Shed

· Moved Sports Equipment from the office to the shed.

· Cleaned the Food Pantry

· Cleaned the Clothing Closet

· Organized the Worship Center Shelves

· Cleaned the Boiler Room

· Organized and fixed up Classrooms for Usable Space

· Cleaned the bathrooms

· Painted the Basketball Goal Lines

· Painted a Mural about Joy, Hope, Love, and Peace.

· Painted inspirational sayings on the basketball lane.

· Removed tons of trash

· Deep Cleaned the stairs and hallways.

· Cleaned all windows,

· Transformed the Office into a Nursery / Cry Room.

· Trimmed bushes, cut down trees and overgrowth on the lawn

· Organized the craft closet

· Organized and cleaned the kitchen

· Had the idea to create a bike wrack for youth that come to church.

· Made it their Disciples Generous Response Moment Wednesday night and brought in $402.66 dollars.

Now those last two may sound like simple things, but just think about it. They did all this ministry, all these projects, and brought us all this peace, but then when a little girl from our congregation was crying. They heard her cries, caught her tears, and are making a difference for the future by caring so much and buying a locking bike wrack so no child needs to come to church fearful that they will miss their bike when they come out of the building after worshiping with us. They were creating a little bit of Zion here in our neighborhood. They had become invested in us in one week and had several testimonies of their experiences that I hope to get on our website soon at; http://www.detroithopecofchrist.org very soon. They brought us peace, and faught injustice with peaceful action. Yo Buddy for our Mission Trip group from Lamoni Heartland Missioncenter and Prairie Bluffs Mission center. Thank you to them, and thank you to you for supporting us as we stand to our feet as a congregation.

Mission Trip 2010 Lamoni Heartland/Prairie Bluffs Missioncenter

How They brought us both Peace and Justice.

Okay Folks, It has been a week or more, since the blogger went down, on the monday routine, and I have a lot to tell you about. Yes, it is Friday, not Monday, but I needed a day of rest from our mission trip to be able to get up and think about all the blessings that came into being in the short time that Lamoni Heartland and Prairie Bluffs Mission center Senior High group came to Detroit. I want you all to realize something. In 4 short workdays, with 3 to canada, and 2 to travel, these youth put up some amazing support of Detroit Hope Community of Christ. I must say they have left a lasting impression and will be sorely missed. They evoked a revival type spirit that inspired us, and gathered steam for a great summer to come in 2010. Here are just a few comments about the work projects:

Vacation Bible School - This was put on by every youth participating and Becky from the Council Bluffs Area. They did Studio Go, a resource produced by group or youth specialties, and it focused on Saying yes to God, Obeying, Leading, and Listening, like the bible heroes and heroines tell us. Over all they had great attendance that had to pick up steam, but by wednesday they had two hopping classes that rotated through theme class, crafts class, recreation, snack and a bible/music class. Overall, I thought it was amazing. And it was Detroit Hope's very first Vacation Bible School. Yo Buddy!

Painting The Foyer - I must mention this one first among the work projects. It was an amazing work that was led by Terry, Deb and many full and strong supporting cast Senior High. I wouldn't be suprised one bit to find that everyone in one way shape or form contributed to the job. They painted floor to ceiling, and the trim around every door, window and along the floor and ceiling moulding. Terry and Deb spent tireless time, energy and effort during the days, and during some lunch times working to get the job done. Yo Buddy!

I'll write more later, we are under a severe weather warning, hail hitting my window, I am getting off of the net.

Blogger decided to go down last week? I will write my blog today, just after I sleep and before biblestudy at Detroit Hope tomorrow. Thanks for your patience.

Second week of this new Spiritual Practice of Journaling 5-13-10

You guessed it, Im late in this post. I thought better late than never, and I also thought, I will get back onto mondays. I have had some interesting discussions this week, and we may be charted on a new direction here with Detroit Hope.

Some Good news you should know about and pray for.

*David Shelton, one of our youth is graduating from Cody High School this spring. A big YO BUDDY! He is the first in my reconing that we have had that has finished high school outright since we have been here. Not inlcuding GED or Night School. This is a big splash over the damn that is our ignorance and injustice when it comes to our youth in our community in Northwest Detroit becoming educated to be at their greatest potential. Pray for David, his finals, and his continuing future.

*We have two World Service Corps Interns starting this summer, and they will bring a great deal of experience, gifts and talents to the Detroit Hope congregation. We will utilize these skills to provide a greater ministry to those we have not yet met, but it will also allow us to further provide pastoral care wherever our presence may reach to in this Detroit area.

*We have a Senior High Group from my home area being led by Delia Jones, Terry Jones, Julie Elliott from the areas of Lamoni Heartland Missioncenter, and Prarie Bluffs Missioncenter to come to Detroit Hope and help us out with some projects and ministry while experiencing and participating in this awesome ministry. They are also taking a trip to Toronto for a day or so, and taking a tour of the World Religions Ministries Center and then returning to Detroit Hope.

*We have a point system now that will allow our youth to attend Reunions, Camps and Spec. If you would like to contribute money to these hard-working, ministry-inspired youth so that they can go to camp please call Pastor Jacob at (313)515-8955.

*Pray for us, as we endevor to find new energy and spirit of mission, sent and called by God to be a blessing in this specific location. Our Team meets on sunday and we will discuss changing our worship week schedules, changing our times for community support and outreach, and re-powering our pistons for the great work that is about to come forth.

YO BUDDIES
We are praying for these Yo Buddies in which God is truly working in Detroit, and in our lives and our extended family of members and congregants lives, and we would like you to join in prayers of thanksgiving with us for them.
20 Basketballs for DH from Indiana and Claire and Henry
Dean and McCrays got a new stove and fridge with Cluster Support
New Computer - Bill Kline
David saw his Dad
Grandson Visit
Thank You's to a bunch of people
Mother's Day
Internship
Money Donations
Tutoring Program
Sunshine
1st Wedding at Detroit Hope in recent history.
Levi's First Birthday

ME TOOS
Mavis Kinney - Not doing well, possible psneumonia Dr. Not sure about diagnosis
Problems with Mom/Dad
Keisha (Vonnie's Mom) -Heart and Blood Pressure Problems
Jobs-For Roomates and All who are out of work.
Auntie is in the Hospital
Darryl Sick, Dimetrius Sick, Need to go to Doctor.
Mom in Hospital for Surgery
Rick's Family Member in Afghanistan
Teachers
Schools Closing in Detroit
Displaced or Dropped out Students
Saturday the 22nd Block party / Work Day to clean up the neighborhood parks.
Red Wings
Bill Kline Heart Problems
City of Detroit / Detroit School Problems
Mavis Kinney
Relationships in the Church
Teenage Deaths, and abandoned Houses Problems
Teenage Pregnancy
Jobs and Housing
Detroit Hope Internships
More Young People in the church
Mrs Parker, and that the Tutoring program will go better
Ms. Ruth, because we miss her, and her overtime is not paying for the hours she can't be with us.

Things Learned in Church Planting or Ministry to Hard Living People. For other church planters, missionaries, and laborers for God.

1. The Gospel (Good News of Jesus Christ) is not reserved just for us. The street slang would be The Gospel is not just about you. This has called me to a servant ministry. When I get all-celebratory about a victory in the church plant, some people feel that it is time for compliments. Sometimes, I will say, "give that glory to God, for without him we wouldn't have any of this." Well friends, I know that in our humanness, sometimes this wears on us, like we have a greater work to do, first it starts wearing on us, I remember comparing our church plant to others. Comparing myself to pastors of other plants. Sometimes for self-gratification and other times for condemnation. I think this is those times when we need a good 'Ol slice of humble pie. The very worst is when it sneaks up on you. You go on serving, serving, serving, and all of a sudden, smack, God reminds you that you are nothing without God. Maybe I have experienced something in an ironic way. Maybe in just a new direction with some flashy new ideas. I found myself here. I think to myself, well, what was so wrong about the old ideas, they worked? They were providing a good needed ministry. I tell you-"A ministry will come and a ministry will come to pass. It is not about us. And the really good God inspired ministries have successors, plans, A, B, and C, and when those don't work you should have remembered to pray first. Then start over with alpha A, alpha B, and alpha C. And don't get frustrated, God has ultimate patience, and we are just privileged to be included and be given grace into involved service. That reminds me, wasn't I doing a count down?

2. So since I mentioned it "We're just blessed to be a part of things." This is Gods work, not ours. The sooner we get this in our heads, the better off and humbly favored we may be. I think about all of the God inspired callings that must go out, un-answered and still left as raw potential. When we answer the call, God gives us a responsibility to seek God out for instructions. Pray. Pray. Pray. And that is my first tip to discernment. It is the only unifying factor to discernment practices, they all have something to do with petition and listening prayers. Or at least they should.

3. God won’t give us anything we can’t handle. I know this from experience, I have a testimony of losing my father, coming from farm country to Detroit, being offered drugs and inviting the same man to Church. Somehow, our strength, our courage and our patience can get us through anything if we only ask for help. Even through boring meetings because, to all you missionaries out there, you never know where you might find an opportunity to find a supporter to network with amongst you and find a great Ally for Gods mission.

4. A missionary pastor, church planter needs ultimate patience. Jesus needed time away from his flock to refill, so do you. Sometimes, it would be easy to get angry, lose patience, and blow off the handle. I have seen church planters get so upset they just tackled somebody they thought deserved it. We can get stressed out and burned out, and lose patience, but even Jesus needed a Sabbath away from Peter and the disciples constant questions. Many of us don’t know the answers. We need to have a fog of patience, do not be afraid to say, “I don’t know, let me ask a few people.” Or “Could you let me get back to you on this?” It works wonders, and please follows up with this. It will make you a better minister of pastoral care, but also a better disciple because you tended even the most trying congregants.

5. Find Your Sabbath. What is Sabbath? Well a good bible scholar might be able to tell you, but I think the great thing is, we are not defined a day. Some other denominations will say of course it is this certain day; it is the first day in the week. Others will say, the Sabbath day is the seventh day, the last day in the week. Well folks “News flash” God doesn’t work on our time, and the Mayan calendar we follow now was not in print in the Roman culture of Jesus day nor are we sure which day God Created first on. This could be debated forever. Go Jump, anyone that wants to sign up for this go right ahead. I was told by a great mentor that Sabbath is anything and any time that fills you up personally, emotionally, physically and most important spiritually. No I am not talking about one of those feeding house churches although some people attend congregations other than those they are ministering in to be “filled spiritually”. I am talking about a sacred time thing, a sacred activity, or a sacred practice. I know of quite a few people that get caught up in their ministry and all consumed by it until they can’t breathe or until they have re-scheduled their vacation three times. A good missionary leader needs to schedule it out, and have people hold them accountable to it. What kind of activities am I talking about? Those things that are usually associated with God given gifts or really positive childhood experiences. I know a church planter that when he gets burned out, he goes to like three movies one afternoon with popcorn and the works and just vegges until he has fully immersed himself in an alternative world. This may work for you. Another mentor of mine, takes one day out of his week for an easy going day, of getting up, having morning coffee, easy meals all day and a day filled with woodworking in his shop. Others seek nature. Some seek God to refill them in creation. Others fish, baiting worms to catch that big one. To have a great fish tale and to mark that great fishing hole of their list. I paint, draw and do anything artsy. There is something for me, like the woodworker in creating like God. We are after all created in God’s image, so why not rest, mind, body and soul, like God did on the seventh day. We just need to look into what perks our interest, and see if we get re-fueled in the process.

6. Don’t be a hero. Well some of you comic book fans may remember this line from many a zombie movie, or western, maybe a marvel comic or two. I say it applies to church planting and hard living ministries because frankly we need checks and balances. We need teams. We need those people who push back, give us checks, like body-checking in basketball just to see where you are, defend you, and have your back when you need a friend, or a bail out of trouble. In teams you will never hear risk management breathing down your neck because you will always have a witness. Also, we get a big head sometimes and we get into trouble and get burned out or put out from some great ministry God would like us to do. (See all above lessons learned) I just know, like Moses, we could easily miss an opportunity for some God blessings, like “the promised land” if we think we are the deliverer and forget that God is. There is a reason that Jewish people focus on the stories in the Old Testament, because their heroes had been honored, and fell from honor and only by Grace we’re God’s people saved. Mostly I am telling you, the world is cutthroat, you need a friend, or team, realize you are not always or ever the leader, and thank them and give them due deserving pats on the back to save your volunteers.

I know I will have more later, let me just think of them and be re-inspired. Thank you.