Updates from the Heart

A season of Completion

Dear Heart of City Friend, June 15, 2004

The day was sunny and bright. It was the second day of summer for the kids and the mood in our car was high! After cleaning the church for Sunday, (a trademark of the Missionary Kids life), we shared a meal on the Mission, the street on which the church is located, then continued on to Kayla’s school to pick up a tray left from an end of the year party.

Leaving the school, we rounded the corner ready to begin celebrating the summer evening. Suddenly, Kellie hollered, “Stop, that’s Mr. Evers! I slammed on the brakes, fearful for my life, not knowing I was about to encounter a gift from God. For weeks Kellie had been telling me of Mr. and Mrs. Evers, a Christian couple in their mid 70’s of great reputation at Miraloma Elementary.

If you have been tracking our work in San Francisco, you are familiar with the complexities of being a Christian in this town. Not only are we a group that is almost extinct in church form, we’re often avoided when it comes to our beliefs and branded by the voices of a few Christians who have yet to realize that the America of the 50’s is yesterday’s news.

However, the Evers give us hope! While I only spoke to Mr. Evers for three minutes, the fruit of his life overwhelmed me with hope. You see, he has been a pastor in the Bay area since 1961. During that time he served in several different church situations while also raising a family. Yet, it is his reputation at Miraloma Elementary School, an urban public elementary school, as a husband who volunteers in the classroom three times a week that has touched our lives. Mrs. Evers, who is retiring after 40 years of teaching, has the reputation as the best Kindergarten teacher the school has ever known. Recently, one of Kayla’s schoolmate parents described her as, “A bit religious, you know, and her husband is a pastor, BUT she is wonderful with the kids!”

You see, the Evers are people of peace; people who understand the power of presence and how significant it is in the realm of eternity for those living in a post Christian and postmodern world. As we spoke to Pastor Evers he said these simple words, “Hold out your Light! Just hold it out and GOD will do the rest!” We live in a society of quotes, opinions and ideas, but those words have power. Therefore, we can say, “Yes, Mr. Evers, we will continue to hold out our light, and trust that God will do the rest!”

“What are God-worshipers like? Arrows aimed at God’s bull’s-eye….” Psalm 25:12 (Message Translation)

Attached we have listed some updates on our work, our family, and our direction. Would you continue to pray for us? We are praying for a harvest! So many seeds have been sown and watered. We are praying for a house we can call our own with a garden we can plant as we seek the peace of the city. We are praying for others, who like the Evers, will consider planting their lives with the same excellence and purpose in the spiritual deserts of our land – especially San Francisco.

Many of you were moved by God to continue your financial support for our work. Thank you. While one of my longer-term dreams is to discover ways of financial sustainability from within the city as a missionary, God continues to reveal that this will come in time but the time has not yet come. For our family to remain in San Francisco, we will continue to trust God to provide through the faithfulness of those who believe that we should hold out our light as missionaries here. As you read the accounts below know that this is the fruit of your holding out your light with us through prayer and support!

On May 23rd a second service was birthed to accommodate our growth in two languages. Casa de Barro is the re launch of the historic Free Methodist Church we have been working with for 3 years now. While we have enjoyed bilingual services for the past five months, we have begun to sense the need to establish clarity in our communication while also celebrating the growth that God has given us as a birthing church.

We also have been completing the renovation of the building. Most recently the bathrooms have been expanded significantly to accommodate the current reality. This was an intense project led by Pastor Edward.

We continue to establish the culture and the leadership of the congregation for the public launch in September. Kellie and I continue to celebrate the integration of our ministry friends and partners, David and Marcia Lantow. By the grace of God they assumed the pastoral and teaching roles of the English congregation. David is not only called out to this role but is also extremely gifted with the urban realities. Marcia is transitioning into the worship lead role and is breaking ground with our children’s ministry.
The Peninsula Church (Church-Plant)

I have also had the privilege of contributing, as a friend and consultant to another church start slated for September. It is exciting to participate in the beginning stages of a wonderful vision led by Pastor Marco Manriquez. With his eyes set on the Bay Area, God has placed a vision within him for a church planting movement geared towards the second and third generation Latinos. Also in the works is a ministry that will seek to inspire, train and release others for the cause of church planting throughout the Bay Area.

It seems as if God continues to reveal to us that our city is a place for learning and exposure. Over the past six weeks we have hosted over five different groups of people, exposing them to our city, our work and all that we continue to learn about reaching the postmodern urban reality. What a privilege to be in a place that is a laboratory for the way we interact with our culture and the emerging trends that shape our world views. It was a special privilege to host Pastor Carlito and Leila, who pastor one of Brazil’s fastest growing churches and then a small group from the Book of Hope who were visiting after a week of ministry throughout the Bay.


The end of an era! An amazing run with a group of young men started when we first arrived here in the city. I joined a friend and fellow pastor, Dieter Zander, as a coach to the Mustangs. The boys are four years older and have not only learned the game but also won several championships! On June 6th we played our last game and won the PAL championship! This picture is of the players and their families. The boys will have a profound impact on their world! What a privilege to play a small part in their formation.

Recently I ran my first foot race. Another “never” that I have realized! The race was 7.5 miles and an amazing experience to run with over 70,000 people (runners and walkers). The challenge of getting fit for this race has been a profound experience and a reminder that life is truly about the training. In the training we recognize our need for God as the Trainer.

It is hard to believe that we have arrived at the end of another school year. Kayla and Chase are excited about the time off. While we are planning a short vacation around my sister Rebekah’s wedding and the ordination of a group of special friends, our summer schedule will be busy preparing for the official launch of the Casa de Barro/Clayhouse in September.

As a family we are excited to be celebrating another year in San Francisco. By God’s grace we continue to be a part of His activity here in the city as missionaries representing Him, His love and His Kingdom. We would love to hear from you. Feel free to email us at Heartofcity@aol.com or phone us at 415- 425-0964.

Blessings,

Ken, Kellie, Kayla, Chase, Hannah

posted by Ken McCord @ 6:20 PM