July 9, 2001
Dear Heart of the City Partners,
Would you believe it if I told you that our evening and early morning weather is in the 50s? Yes, in July! I love it. Having spent most of my life in a tropical environment, the bay area weather is truly one of the perks to living here.
Today is a special day for Kellie, the kids and me, for we have been in the city now for 6 months! What a victory! God has provided a way for our family to have arrived, discovered and established a presence in one of the most difficult cities to do so in the world. We are most excited about the opportunities he has given us to love our city – our people.
Yesterday, after a wonderful church service, we had another opportunity to experience being the church in a new way. For several years now, our friends, the Scandrette’s, have been sharing lunch with some neighbors of ours who live in tents under the bridge. So, we joined them, bringing the grill, food and some great desserts. My friend Mark led me to the camp where they live, searching for one of the key people amongst their people group. We met him and he immediately welcomed us with a smile on his face.
We gathered our families together and returned to the cars. There, among the bottles, needles, condoms and other junk, our friend swept and cleaned up a special spot for our lunch. After setting up, he offered to cook for us. What a great time! We met people of all sorts: some young, some old, some strong, some weak. All of them had very interesting stories and backgrounds. One friend shared that he had served in Germany while in the military and had played semi-pro ball. Another friend grew up in the city, while another came from Puerto Rico.
As I stood there watching them during a moment of solitude, I saw people just like you and me; real people with real stories. Many of them are slaves to heroine and crack, others are mentally ill; some are veterans suffering from their military experience, and on and on. But today, there was a sparkle in their eyes. They recalled with fondness a day gone by. I prayed, “Lord, may our actions and words be filled with your love and your peace. Jesus, let us love these people as you did and you do. Free them Lord Jesus from this enemy that masters their lives. May they experience the life abundant only you can offer.”
As we said goodbye to them, I wondered. What if Marks friend, who welcomed us amongst them, led that group to follow in the Way of Jesus? We could be the church under the bridge! More than ever I realize that San Francisco needs Jesus to come to them. We must be His hands and feet where people live! That is why Kellie and I are committed to serving and training those who can be His hands and His feet where they live. As we launch a Faith Community in our home, we hope to be a part of a movement of Faith Communities (small congregations) that start wherever the soil will receive the seed. Will you pray with us that God would lead us to the people of peace in our neighborhoods and amongst these people groups? We also pray that God would raise up leaders throughout the city that would see their people as a potential Community of Faith.
Our family just returned from two weeks of travel to Ohio and Florida. We participated in two summer youth camps, visited some of our supporters, and sought out additional support. God continues to provide in unexplainable ways. Thank you for being part of that!
As we begin our new season of ministry here we ask that you continue to pray with us about:
· The start of Faith Communities around the city. We are aiming for the fall as the starting point in our neighborhood. We currently are participating in the start of a Faith Community in the Richmond area and also in the Mission District.
· Laborers for the Harvest. We continue to pray that God would raise up those who will come, those who will go, and others who will train and equip those leaders.
· Favor in our communities. Our desire is to impact this city in a way that is foreign and not expected. Instead of large institutions, we want to impact the city by way of an organic and fluid movement so that our city would ask “who and why”.
While soil work can be long, hard and tedious, we are reminded of what will be. We are encouraged and lifted up each day as God speaks to us and blesses us as only a faithful Father can. We pray for you also, that your city be changed by the love of Jesus, that your families and territories would prosper in a mighty way, and that we as a Kingdom people would show the world the abundant life we have in the Way - our Lord and Savior Jesus.
Blessings to you!
The McCords
posted by Ken McCord @ 4:43 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home