Ministry Overview
Dear ministry friends and partners,
In August of 2001, we embraced the challenge of living in one of the most postmodern, expensive and spiritually divisive cities in North America – San Francisco. In January of 2001, we moved our family cross-country and immersed ourselves into a city of 800,000 people. For the past two years we have…
Learned about urban life, the urban values and the history of the church in the urban setting.
Learned the language of the urban context.
Networked with existing ministries, some of which have had a presence in the city for over 150 years.
Restored a neighborhood church building
Helped start a non-profit committed to helping Christians Reimagine what it means to be a Christian in an urban postmodern setting.
Established with a team of 6, a way of being church in the urban setting, which we have called Faith Communities.
Established Urbaneyes, a short term urban plunge that has served as a platform for learning, service and exposure to the dynamics of the city…we have hosted over 8 teams.
Loved a neighborhood and established a missional presence by way of community service, involvement In youth programs such as coaching soccer, services to the poor and elderly and engaged our neighbors through parties, dinners and other events.
As we began 2003 our love for cities has been confirmed and as a family began to see the next 30 years devoted to the urban reality. Not only do we have an increased burdened for urban settings and the people who choose to live in them, but now have a beginning blue print for implementation.Most of our initial work was completed during the fall of 2002. The new year brought a fresh opportunity to implement many of our new understanding and dreams.
Proverbs 16:1 The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD
Within the first two weeks of January, we began to realize that God might be calling us to reevaluate our plans. Over the span of a week, God closed the door on one of our partnerships, closed the door on the usage of the parsonage and church buildings at the Free Methodist and also closed the door on one of our most viable financial outlets beyond our three-year commitment with you.We contacted three of our sending pastors to pray with us, Pastor Russell Johnson, Pastor Bud McCord and Pastor Guy Melton. We felt as if the safest way to make a decision would be in the counsel of these three men, along with the folks we are in partnership with here in SF. It is also important to note that these same three pastors have been praying with us for almost 5 months as we have been making our long-term plans for our work in cities. As we prayed, listened and searched we asked several questions…From our perspective, what do cities need most? Amazingly enough, cities are filled with churches and buildings that represent a time passed. Churches that are dying or locked into a world past. Churches that have lost touch with the city they exist in. While I believe that new churches are needed in the city, there is a need that precedes that. The need for followers of Jesus (apprentices) to live missional lives in the city. We believe that as Christ followers permeate the systems of the cities that churches of old will reemerge and new churches will be established naturally out of the soil of the city. If they won't come to us, then we must go to them.What can we do to contribute towards this need? Kel and I have learned to live what we call a missional life in our neighborhood, taking the commands of our Savior Jesus to the streets. We have seen lives touched and changed. I have experienced a fruit of ministry as a Pastor that far exceeds any other season of my life. The words of John in the book of 1 John ring so true…there is no fear in love and the evidence one knows God is that he keeps the commandments of Jesus. The red letters in the Bible, the literal words of Jesus have come to life as we have lived them outside the domain of a church building.We feel that our first call is to live this way of life, for the rest of our lives, wherever we live. As part of the larger Church, we feel that our next responsibility is to build the Heart of the City Ministries in such a way that is would serve, inspire, inform and mobilize others to live this way.
Where can we do this in the most natural and sustainable way? Well if there were no other major factors to look to, we would wish to simply live out the remainder of our lives right here in San Francisco. For those of you who know us best, WE LOVE SAN FRANCISCO! However, as we look at our greater calling and corporate ministry opportunities we realize that the closed doors to our future here in San Francisco were simply pointing to new open doors in South Florida. The expansion of territory, influence and our work.
After much prayer and consideration, we have realized that our next step in expanding our dream for Heart of the City into South Florida. Our starting focus will be on Ft. Lauderdale, the Gold Coast Cities and Miami. While taking this step, we also hope to nurture with our San Francisco partners Urbaneyes and HOC San Francisco, Faith Communities, and we also hope to expand our relationship with Reimagine by possibly introducing it in South Florida.
Our most immediate opportunity in South Florida is to assist someone I deeply admire and love, Pastor Guy Melton, in a church plant in downtown Hollywood. During our season of ministry in San Francisco, God began to nurture an unexpected burden in the Melton's heart for the heart of their city. Since that time, he has come to visit our work both as a supporting pastor but also as a co laborer in the city. We are excited because this will be a base church to our work in the cities of South Florida. I realize that a note cannot answer all the questions that might surface, so we would like to invite you to email us your questions at heartofcity@aol.com. For those of you that have been supporting us financially, we ask that you continue to support this expansion as we are still on target for our 3-year goal. Thank you for being a vital part of the early days of our work in cities. All donations will still be handled through First Baptist of West Hollywood, our board of accountability and sending church. We continue to trust God to provide for all of the financial needs throughout this transition and the start up in South Florida.
Many have asked how to pray. First we ask that you pray for those we are leaving behind. Their well being is very important to us and we fully intend to be active in the on going ministry here. Pray for the finances, the well being and most of all for the harvest. We also ask that you pray for our move, our children, the church start scheduled for Easter Sunday. God continues to provide in miraculous ways! We have secured housing in Downtown Hollywood, a friend has graciously offered to move us as a gift to our ministry and another friend has graciously provided the funds for the airfare for our family. As we leave San Francisco, we shed many tears but recognize that God is truly expanding His work. It is a privilege to be on Mission with God. Thank you for going with us through prayer, support and love!
Many blessings,Ken McCord
When Mountains Move – January 2003
Matthew 21:20-22 “Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.’ So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God.’ For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the seas,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Like Peter, I often find myself surprised that God follows through on His promises. Why is that? As best I can understand, it is the doubt in my heart – doubt that is rooted in living my story apart from God’s.
Our backs were up against the wall. It was a Wednesday night in November. As we looked toward the horizon it seemed that all we could see were the words “dead end.” For nearly two years we had lived in San Francisco, learning about the city and it’s ways, networking with the Christian community, and above all learning to love and serve the city God had called us to. This way of life was new, challenging and was beginning to bear fruit. Why would God allow our house to be sold, forcing us to face the prospect of moving, especially when the holidays were upon us? Where we lived was the most important element in our work.
The night before, Kellie and I had gotten on our knees and surrendered all to God, asking that he perform a miracle. As the following day came to a close we were saddened that we had not heard from God. That is when the doorbell rang. It was our friend Edward Paulino who had come over to share how God was leading him and his family. Little did he know that he was delivering God’s answer to our prayer. Like us, uncertainty was looming in the air for him, and he had come to ask us to pray about the possibility of partnering our work with the parsonage and church buildings on our street. During that conversation, God not only reassured our housing need, but also gave us more to hope for!
Later that night, with tears in our eyes, I said to Kellie, “God answered!” Like Peter, I, too was surprised because I so often struggle with doubt. But we had put it all in His hands and the mountain of uncertainty was gone! For those of you most experienced with life, you know that our days can be filled with mountains big and small, with more sure to follow. But the Good News that Jesus brings is not only our salvation, but also the knowledge that we can live our lives under the rule and reign of God. By following Jesus as His apprentices, we begin to experience the fruit of living under His Father’s rule and power. That is the abundant life.
Since that day, God has moved other mountains. Our current landlords, who are now our friends, have offered to let us to stay in our home. Can you believe it? From finding ourselves at a dead end with no home, we now have two options! For now, we continue to live at 262 Richland and we are seeking wisdom from the Lord as to how to go about using these resources in the best way. I am seeking counsel from our sending pastors and our city partners as to how we might partner with the Free Methodist. The buildings alone are valued in the millions and the historical value of their presence dates back to the late 19th century.
As for our family, the kids are doing well. Kayla started her second semester at Fairmount under the Spanish immersion program. Spanish is beginning to sprout up through her conversations and all throughout our home. Chase is awakening to the sweeter freedoms of being a toddler as he prepares to attend the Glen Ridge Co-op, the school that Kayla attended last year. Hannah will be six months old next week. We are so enjoying her as part of our family.
Kellie and I continue to adjust to being parents of three in such a busy city. The challenges are great, but God gives us the grace for each day. Kellie is beginning to look beyond having infants and is setting her eyes on her volunteer work with the schools, her outreach at the Bernal Neighborhood Center and her desire to work with hospice care. As for myself, I am coaching a new indoor soccer team here in our neighborhood. Our family continues to work with the Free Methodist congregation on Sundays.
We had another great Christmas with our friends and neighbors. The highlight was having over 70 friends from the area at a Christmas party in our home on December 22nd. Above all, we are most excited about the relationships we are cultivating with our neighbors in Bernal Heights and the broader city. There is life in living the commandment of loving our neighbors.
As our ministry once again shifts into action, we are piecing together all the different elements of what we have learned and how we have lived as ministers in the Heart of the City through Urbaneyes, Faith Communities, Missional Life, Free Methodist and REimagine. As we enter our final year of financial support we know that the larger mountains lay ahead. Pray for us as we wrestle through believing and trusting God’s leadership in our life.
For now, we want to thank you for being a part of this great adventure! You have believed in us by way of your friendship, your encouragement and your belief that a burden and a dream were worth investing in. We pray that in 2003 God would grant you the peace and the resources to accomplish all that you as individuals and as organizations dream. As C. S. Lewis once said, “There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” This is our hope as followers of Jesus!
Happy 2003! The McCords
November 15, 2002
Navigating the City Currents
One of my fondest memories as a young boy is of family vacations on the beaches of Brazil, South America. The beaches of Rio and Angra dos Reis were spectacular, but my personal favorite was a beach in a city called Caragua. It was there that I grew to love the ocean. I can recall my father teaching me about the wonders and the power of the great ocean – its tides, rocks, currents and undertows.
Years later my love for the water led me to learn diving. As I logged in several dozen dives I became proficient and comfortable with the waters. It was then that a good friend invited me to experience a night dive. As a group of us prepared for the dive, all was routine with the exception of the sunlight, for the sun had set hours before. The adrenaline was pumping as we suited up and journeyed across the Ft. Lauderdale sand.
The dive itself was fairly safe with maximum depths of 30 feet some 300 yards off shore. As we swam out, we enjoyed each other’s company reveling in the joy of the adventure. As we reached the dive spot we did a routine cross check with our dive buddy and began the final check before descent.
At five feet we adjusted our equipment and equalized our ears. At ten feet we began looking for the coral lying at the ocean bottom. At fifteen feet our lights revealed poor visibility; a violent storm was stirring the bottom of the ocean. The cloud of sand consumed our bodies and the currents were spinning us like rag dolls. In the darkness and confusion, I soon lost contact with my dive buddy and all sense of direction. A jolt of fear struck me. I swam to the surface as quickly as I could. When everyone had surfaced we agreed that the dive should be aborted. We looked to the horizon and the violent lightning confirmed our worst fear – a storm. We had failed to check the weather. The day had been beautiful. Summer storms were normally a late afternoon thing. We had assumed too much.
As we swam to shore the waters became choppy. We could see the lights on shore. As we swam we expected them to grow nearer but after several minutes of hard swimming realized that the currents were pushing us north. We were in trouble. It was then that I remembered Dad’s words from past vacations in Brazil, “Don’t fight the current. Swim with the current.” Later, exhausted, we landed on shore, thankful to be alive.
Much like the currents that night, living in the city has been about adjusting to a strong new current. In January, we will complete our second year of life in San Francisco. As we have embraced the urban plunge we have found the city to be much like the ocean. It is big and mighty, beautiful and full of power. Much like the ocean, we must learn to navigate its waves, rip currents and great depths.
While storms come and go, we know that God has called us to be urban dwellers. It is said that over 50% of the world now lives in an urban center. More than ever, the church must learn to live and dwell in the great urban centers of the world. Our family has personally embraced the urban life and made adjustments to its currents. We have grown to love cities and cannot imagine living outside of them again.
Would you join us in prayer as we continue to adjust to the urban life? Our family finds itself at a cross- road as we carefully evaluate the next steps to be taken. Our vision for the Heart of the City continues to form, as do the partnerships with others who share the same desire to awaken, inspire and nurture city dreams. We are carefully praying about the next phase in implementing all that we have learned over the past two years, along with how we might expand the Heart of the City vision into other cities. Above all the many needs, would you pray with us for a transformation of the hearts of the many neighbors and friends we have come to know and love? Would you pray that Christ would open the eyes of their soul and breathe new life into them?
Kayla continues to thrive in the Spanish Immersion program of Fairmount Elementary. Chase is beginning to speak full sentences. Watch out world, he has a lot to say! Hannah is four months old and she is making her presence known. Kellie just returned from Florida where she attended the funeral of her grandfather. Our hearts grieve, but we are relieved to know that he is with the Lord. No more suffering.
Most recently the house that we rent went up for sale. This was somewhat of a surprise, as our landlord had not planned to sell the house. He listed it for $550,000 (a bargain for San Francisco J), but the house never made the MLS since a family member bought it. While we are not pressured to move out immediately, we will need to decide on a new location in the next 6 months. This has been hard to accept, as we love our immediate neighbors and neighborhood, but we can feel God pushing us out to try new opportunities.
Our original vision for the Heart of the City Ministries continues to develop as we learn to better understand our identity in the city, and to join forces with other city dreamers. Much of our clarity about ministry revolves around the Missional Life. In reports to come we hope to share more about that kind of a life. We do want to invite you to check out a partner family, the Lantow family, at their web site www.lantow.com.
Much of our initial work here in the city has reached a point of completion or transition as we have completed two years of acclimating ourselves to the city. We have completed the building restoration work with Edward Paulino and the Free Methodist Church. Our work with Reimagine has transitioned to a broader network and we continue to learn about and improve the Faith Communities.
This past weekend I was invited to speak for the Campus Crusade Fall Retreat in Santa Cruz. Our theme was “Set Apart – A life of purpose.” We were blessed to be a part of such a dynamic group of college students. Please pray for them as they study in one of the darkest academic regions of the world, a challenge to any follower of Jesus.
This week we joined forces with Habitat for Humanity as we served a group of families, by way of a meal and childcare. These families are candidates for Habitat housing. What a wonderful opportunity to join hands with Habitat for Humanity in loving families who are working towards home ownership. There are so many wonderful people serving the city in so many unique ways.
Recently, I was reminded by the work of Oswald Chambers that God uses ordinary people as monuments of His grace. Each and every one of us has a place to stand. May we stand as great examples of God’s love for the world. Thank you for believing with us through prayer, finances and encouragement as we stand for Christ in the city of San Francisco. We stand in the city as one of God’s many monuments of His Grace.
Many blessings,
The McCords
September 20, 2002
Dear Heart of the City Partner,
The day was September 8, 2002. The time, 3:30PM. Edward Paulino and I sat in the fellowship hall in awe. With tears in our eyes we were celebrating what God had done. We were just an hour away from a building dedication we never thought possible.
This story began just over a year ago. When we first arrived in San Francisco, we were clear on one thing – God was calling our family to be about His work here in this neighborhood in San Francisco. Upon arriving, we began to feel God moving in the existing churches of the city. Just down the street from us stood an old church building with pealing paint. The sign out front read, “Free Methodist Church.” The pastor’s name listed was Edward Paulino.
The bus stop we frequently used was directly in front of the church. While waiting for the bus each day, I began to pray, “God, if it is Your will, open the door to an encounter with Edward Paulino.” I didn’t know much about the Free Methodists and had no idea whether the church was even in use, but it was evident that this building had served a community of God’s people for well over 100 years.
God answered that prayer in two weeks through a phone call. It was my youth pastor from high school, Ron Vining. He was calling to tell me that his denomination, Free Methodist, was sending him to plant a church in Santa Cruz. We immediately rejoiced that God had moved both of us to the west coast within an hour’s drive of each other. But the story got better. I said, “Ron, I thought you were my Baptist youth pastor.” He went on to explain the history of the Free Methodists, dating back to John Wesley, and that he had come to know Christ in a Free Methodist Church in rural Pennsylvania. Well, I went on to explain that there was a Free Methodist Church building just two blocks from my house. He couldn’t believe it.
To make a long story short, Ron connected me to the denomination point person who connected me to Edward Paulino, and in April of 2001 Edward and I broke bread for the first time and shared our stories. I explained our ministry dream for the Heart of the City. Later we discovered that Edward and Ron had worked together in New York. That day, we realized that God had orchestrated details along the way for over 12 years, details that pieced together our meeting that day.
As the relationship between Edward and I began to unfold, we found ourselves serving together and seeking spiritual restoration for our neighborhood. Kel and I began serving with him as he cared for the small aging congregation of the Free Methodist Church. Edward then joined our Faith Community pastoral team and later transitioned the church to a Faith Community.
This church building has now become a gathering place for our faith festivals and all the Faith Communities. It is an amazing treasure. Built as a rural church in the late 1800s, it is one of the oldest buildings in the neighborhood. With the real estate crunch of the city, the building is worth over two million dollars.
At the time of my first meeting with Edward, however, the building was dilapidated, filled with what appeared to be 50 years of clutter, broken windows, pealing paint, rotten wood, rats, and several generations of carpet and paneling. We knew that there was no way we could afford the restoration of the building, and its condition was bad enough to be a hindrance to our festivals.
The denomination had given Edward an assigned amount of money for repairs, but most of that money had only covered his salary and the repairs in the parsonage. How could we see this work through? Well God sent us our first missions team in May of 2001. We believed – believed that God would move that mountain, and He did. Together with you, our Heart of the City supporters, Campus Crusade, summer interns, seven Urban-Eyes missions teams, and with the generosity of Faith Communities and many other individuals, we completed the restoration of the fellowship hall, sanctuary, counseling room, offices, children’s rooms and the kitchen. What a miracle!
I have never been a part of a more difficult, yet exciting project. The McCord family has been forever changed. We have been given a glimpse of what can happen when God’s people unite under a common cause. Thank you for giving. This project would not have been possible without the Heart of the City team.
On that day in September, we watched as the building filled with our Faith Communities and other friends who had joined us in the project. Over 160 people came out that night. As I stood back and reflected on what was happening, I realized that this building brought us together. The tired dream of a few faithful followers of Christ was strengthened, and God used their dream to unite us in a future with Him. God used the past to connect us for His future.
This building has taught me so much about myself, about others, and about our faith lived out in community. It was in this building that I had the privilege of baptizing our daughter Kayla. It was this building that brought Edward and I together. It is this building that brings our Faith Communities together. This building is also a reminder of our call to the restoration of a city. God is the great restorer. More than ever we believe that we are called to inspire others who follow Jesus to seek the well being of their cities. We seek to do that by way of modeling, connecting and training. I pray that you will continue to pray for our city, but also yours. Pray that God will raise up people who believe in seeking the peace of their city, believing that in that prayer He will be glorified. Pray that God will deliver the peace that passes all understanding.
Your support contributes to many different projects here in San Francisco. This summer we also hosted two summer interns, two Urban-Eyes mission teams, we contributed towards the ministries of Campus Crusade, Global Spectrum, the Lantow family and the Bernal Neighborhood Center. Along with our time, we contributed over $5,000 of HOC funds to the remodeling of the building.
Our family is well. Hannah is now two months old. God has met each and every medical bill to date. Thank you for praying and giving. Kayla has started school at Fairmount Elementary, a local neighborhood school. She is studying under the Spanish immersion program. After her first day of school we asked her how she liked it. She answered, “I loved school, but didn’t understand much.” With each passing day she is learning more of the language. Chase continues to grow to love baseball. He’s 2 years and 4 months old, and is ready to play in the big leagues. Kellie is amazing. She not only holds our household together mothering three, and helping me, she is also involved in the neighborhood by way of the toddler programs and the Bernal Neighborhood Center.
We have been in the city for a year and a half now. God has taken a dream and transformed it. We believe that this next year will be pivotal to our future. We are gaining clarity as to how we should live and what we should be doing as part of God’s move in the city. Cities have historically been difficult places to live in, but it is our desire to learn to abide in America’s urban centers for the long haul, and to help others who feel the same call. Thank you for believing in us, learning with us and making the investment in us.
Many blessings!
Ken
July 10, 2002
Some days, more than others, we realize that time, like a fighter jet in flight, is passing us by. Just as its thundering, supersonic sound lingers long after the jet is out of view, so we too, live out our minutes, hours, days, months and years not realizing that time is passing us by. For the McCord family, time has passed so quickly. We have now been in San Francisco for a year and a half, I have reached my thirtieth birthday, and our family has grown by 20 percent with the arrival of baby Hannah. Time is passing by like a fighter jet on a mission.
The past two months have been a tremendous season of life and ministry for us. We hosted two missions’ teams, several friends and supporters, and are now mid way through a summer internship with a young lady from Pompano, Florida. Our Faith Communities continue to grow both in number, and most importantly in an understanding of life with Christ. Life in the city continues to prove challenging but full of rewards. Many great relationships continue to come our way, some new and others developing. We realize more than ever, that city ministry is about the minutes, the hours and the days. Events have little impact here.
Last Wednesday, as we were working with a group from Southern California, we ate breakfast at the Golden Gate Park. This park is one of the treasures of the city with its gardens, bike paths, lakes, fields and even buffalo. It is an oasis. Most San Franciscans are not surprised to see homeless teens, veterans, and other individuals living in the park. For this reason, we enjoy including our homeless neighbors for a pancake breakfast when we are there. It’s quite simple, really. A couple of camping stoves, some pancake mix, bacon, a five-gallon cooler of orange juice, and the party is set.
That morning was a little on the cold and damp side, so the park was quiet. A few joggers, a policeman on an off road motorcycle, the sound of the wind pushing through the trees and the crackling of grease were the only sounds in that serene space. We arrived around 8:00 AM to begin cooking. The smell of cooking bacon spread with the wind and little by little, people began approaching our hot stoves. A man named David was the first to come through asking if he could borrow a match to start his own fire. I realized that David was hungry and asked, “Would you like to join us for breakfast?” He smiled and said, “Yes! Thank you!” David is from England and has been in the U.S. for two years.
As I was cooking the pancakes, a Vietnamese man named Ken asked me what we were doing. I shared that in our faith we are commanded to love those in need. Matthew 25:40 tells us “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ ” As this man observed my children, he said, “These kids are lucky, they will grow up to be strong.” He told me that he and his family came to the park almost everyday and that he too was going to begin cooking breakfast for our neighbors.
As we continued preparing breakfast, two, three, ten, then twenty others surrounded our camp and joined in on the feast. When it was all said and done, we cooked over 350 pancakes and served over 100 people. Kellie, Kayla and Chase mingled with the crowd along with our team and ministry partner Dave Lantow. All around us were smiles and conversations. A small group began playing with a soccer ball in the spirit of the world cup. Our children played amongst the crowd and learned that these people aren’t much different than you and me.
During that morning at the park we didn’t preach or hand out tracts and Bibles. We simply sought to love as Christ called us to. Truth be told, these people are inundated with tract giving Christians. That morning we opted to cook a warm meal, smile big and treat each and every one of these friends in need as if we were serving Christ Himself. You see, most of the time we are called to simply be there, believing that God is at work long before our arrival. Don’t get me wrong, we pray that the day comes when one of these run away teens, addicts or disoriented people confess Jesus with their mouth, but as the apostle John said in 1 John 3:18, “…let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” Our hope is that our service to them would simply be an important hour in the rush of their passing life. Time is passing them by also. Maybe that moment was like the supersonic sound that startled and awoke one of them to a time past when life was better. These experiences continue to shake our faith.
All around us are opportunities to love with action. No matter who we are or what we do, God is at work and calling us to love. Love simply is that act or reality that touches the eternal soul of those around us. Love is the language of heaven, spoken first by our Creator. What if we were simply to live a life of love? What if love is the currency of God’s kingdom and those who seek to abide in Him have unlimited access to this currency? What if love is the first step in accomplishing the great commission?
We believe this is so. We believe that our work apart from love is simply powerless. There lies the good news! We cannot sustain the giving of pure love without being in a right relationship with our maker, a Creator who wants us to become all that He created us to be. As we love we are realizing a closer relationship with Christ.
So we continue to live, learn and love here in San Francisco. We continue to pray for the awakening of our city, our neighbors and our friends. We deeply desire an awakening and a moral revolution that would blow down from the heavens.
Our work continues to center around our neighborhoods, Faith Communities and Reimagine. We are beginning to realize fruit in all three areas and hope for much more. We are committed to continue to walk with God and to not get ahead of Him. Every goal and expectation has been exceeded to date.
Thank you for believing with us, praying for us and being generous to us. We could not establish roots here in the city without people like you having a heart for the city of San Francisco. Our finances are always a matter of faith. Kel’s pregnancy is putting us back $3,000 to $4,000 as our insurance dropped us mid way through. Rent continues to be high, so we are seeking God’s will for long-term city housing by way of a purchase. That’s a mountain that only He can move. As we seek to start-up Reimagine as a non-profit, we are in need of some office equipment and Imax computers. All of these needs are very small from God’s perspective, however for us they are big, and we pray that God would move these mountains. Would you pray with us?
We miss each of our churches and ministry partners in a big way. Thank you for being so faithful to us over the past year and a half. We pray that God would multiply your generosity ten times over.
Blessings,
The McCord’s
May 23, 2002
A year ago a mission’s team from Florida was in town working with us. We had the opportunity to prayer walk the Giants stadium with the help of a friend who works in the operations department there. Later that night we returned for the game.
After the game I dropped the group off at their hotel. It was late, real late and I was exhausted! The streets were busy with the Friday night crowd – some shady characters and lots of drifters. Little did I know that my bus driver and the ride home were going to be one of my more memorable San Francisco experiences. The driver was obviously not in a friendly mood. The bus jerked from side to side, the stops were abrupt, and several conflicts with passengers arose. As we approached the mission, a family of three boarded the bus. They were a treat. The couple was loud and fun. Their boy was half asleep. We spoke briefly and laughed a little, forgetting the chaotic bus ride. Suddenly the bus driver stopped the bus, got off and began flirting with some women on the street. Only in San Francisco! That was a first for me, but anything can happen in the city.
Last month, a year after that bus ride, another Florida mission’s team came to serve with us in our neighborhood. It was a Saturday and the day was beautiful and unseasonably warm. We loved it. The team took off to the two Bart stations where they performed dramas and handed out invitations to the evening rally. The rally was a success. Nearly 200 people showed up to join the Primera Iglesia Bautista del Sur youth kick off. Pastor Marcos and his team did a wonderful job with games, a cook out and music. Our team had the privilege of ministering to the youth through a drama and message. As we finished the evening, I invited anyone in the audience who was interested in giving their life to Jesus and learning more about Him and His love to come forward. There was little response in the crowd, but one boy came forward. He prayed to receive Jesus and asked if he could have a Bible. As I came to greet him, I was immediately reminded of our previous encounter a year ago on that bus. His mother and I locked eyes and we realized that our paths had crossed before. That crazy bus ride was not just a crazy experience! That encounter with those people was a brush with God’s deep desire to woo that boy to Him.
The mother and I rejoiced that night over her son’s salvation. As I reflect on that night, I am reminded that our call is to simply be here in San Francisco, for God is at work all around us, day and night. We often only get glimpses of small portions of God’s work. Our call is to simply be connected and stay aware of God’s work, whether we are riding a bus or preaching a message. We are God’s people and we are invited into His plan. Every person we encounter is someone God knows and loves, even the crazy bus driver.
Our life in San Francisco continues to piece together like a puzzle. Often the pieces don’t seem to connect at all, but we later discover God’s greater plan. Our spring has come and gone in a flash. Since I last wrote, we have hosted two missions’ teams, celebrated Easter, finished a soccer season, gathered for our third Festival of Faith Community, traveled back to Florida to visit churches, family and friends and most recently participated in the birth of a second Faith Community in our Neighborhood.
February was a tough month. We felt attacked spiritually but God’s grace was sufficient for us. March and April were the two busiest months we have had yet in the city, yet we feel these months have defined our being here in the city. We are beginning to see signs of fruit. Our desire is to be known as God’s people “like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:3).
Kayla is finishing her school year at Glenridge. She has done quite well and is sad to say good-bye to a community that she has grown to love. God has expanded our influence by way of her experience there for we have gained and developed so many dear friendships. Our next step with Kayla is Fairmount Elementary. She has been accepted into the Spanish Immersion program. This will be a new stretch for Kellie, as she is committing to learn Spanish with Kayla. Chase is doing extremely well also; he is now putting words together and growing out of the baby stage.
There is so much more to tell you about, however we will wait until our next letter. This summer will be a season of “new life” as we anxiously await the birth of our daughter Hannah McCord. We are also hosting several summer interns who will partner with our work, while learning and gaining a heart for an urban ministry. We expect to continue our learning process with Faith Communities. Our work with Reimagine is being redefined as we embark into a new phase of work.
God is opening doors, deepening relationships and confirming vision. We are working on posting new websites that provide more information on some of the different areas of ministry we are involved with. If you have access to the web check them out… www.mccordonline.org , www.faith-communities.org and www.urban-eyes.org.
Thank you for your prayers, your generosity and the constant love you pour into our lives. Please know that your belief in us and the Heart of the City is making a difference in San Francisco. Please pray for the health, safety and finances of those who we minister with here in the city. We simply want to continue to live by faith, so we continue to ask God to provide the faith needed. He is gracious.
Please know that we are praying for you and your life. Please write us at heartofcity@aol.com and let us know how we can further partner and pray with you and your world!
Blessings,Ken and Kellie McCord
December 28, 2001
Dear Heart of the City Friends,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! The days of winter have brought a fresh “chill” mixed with a little rain. The weather is beautiful at this time of the year. As we look up at our hill, it’s as if the Creator repainted it with a fresh coat of green. The days are short here on the West Coast, but each morning the sunrise over the Bay reminds us of God’s continued presence amongst us. As I step into the rush of the city each morning, my heart aches for the men drunk on the sidewalk, the addicted looking for their next high, those on public transportation who seem enslaved by their routine. My prayer for this city is that this season be like rain on dry land. May they discover life, life abundant in Christ Jesus.
As the holidays approach, we are realizing how different the urban experience truly is - an experience that we love. The dominant culture and the similarities are few and far between. The corporate section of our city is quite festive, but of course its motivation is that we would come spend our festive dollars. Not quite the meaning of the season. The city however is amazing. All around us we are discovering what and how the world celebrates. As we celebrate Christmas, many of our neighbors celebrate Chanukah, Ramadan, and many ancient pagan rituals. On our hill in particular, the Pagans will celebrate Winter Solstice on the night of December 21, 2001. We are told that this is the longest night of the year.
So by now you may wonder, what’s so great about that? Well, that’s why we are here. God is not threatened by the ways of this world. The Good News rises above all cultures inviting us to new life, hope and a new way. The greatest challenge for us is to rediscover the treasure of the Good News without the hang-ups of our own culture.
On December 2, 2001 we experienced a taste of what that might be! We gathered for our first Festival of Faith Communities. Over the past six months we have seen three Faith Communities birthed and we have partnered with two existing Communities of Faith. Each community is located in a different neighborhood of the city, and is made up of 20 or so individuals from different cultures and backgrounds.
As we gathered for our first citywide gathering we experienced so many new things. The evening was hosted by the Free Methodist Church building in our neighborhood. We arrived at 5PM for a dinner. As we set up for the dinner, the tables were empty. We wondered if we would have food at all. No advertising, and no phone calls had been made. We simply believed that our Faith Communities would be the vessel. Within a few short minutes the room began to crowd, the volume of conversation filled the air and quickly the smells of some of the great Chinese, Indian, Latin and American food filled our senses. As we looked around the room, we caught a glimpse of what Jesus meant when he compared the Kingdom to a Mustard Seed. Even small things can be like the Kingdom of God. All around us were over 120 people connected to one of the five Faith Communities represented at the festival.
After the meal we moved into a beautiful ornate sanctuary that was built nearly 100 years ago. We quickly filled the room and some had to stand along the back wall. Our friends from IBB Miami were visiting and served us by creating a special space for the 27 children present that night. The rest of us continued with a night of worship, stories and prayers. Our purpose that night was to simply celebrate life in the Kingdom and get a glimpse of what we are a part of as followers of Jesus together in San Francisco. Much like a vapor, the night came and went. So what’s next? We will continue to seek out the Way of Jesus in the context of Faith Communities (the Church). We seek to be simple, yet solid, missional, and servants to our neighbors. We want to be generative communities, creating new music, new art, new stories.
Will we gather again? Of course, but the large gathering is not our vessel. It is simply a glimpse of the church spreading throughout our city and going where buildings and programs cannot go. It is simply the church being the church by way of disciples of Jesus making other disciples of Jesus. Our hope is to grow and to reproduce, but above all we realize that each of us is graded first by our life and how we are becoming more like Jesus.
Fall 2001 was a wonderful season of ministry. We birthed our Bernal Faith Community, our Kayla had a wonderful experience at Glen Ridge, our ministry with the Free Methodist Church grew, Kellie took part in several Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center events and causes, our family hosted six different groups that came through the city, and our soccer team came in second place!
By the time you receive this letter, Kellie and I will have hosted an open house for our neighborhood friends on Sunday the 23rd. As we began writing out the invitations we discovered that we had over 40 personal friends to invite, all within walking distance of our home. These are our neighbors, those we live amongst here in Bernal Heights. Not our church or brothers and sisters in Christ, but those we believe God has called us to love. We are rediscovering the fresh wind that blows when we keep His commands. Please pray for these people. Pray that they would discover Jesus and His love.
On January 9th, 2002 we will celebrate the completion of our first year here in San Francisco. God has provided and poured out His grace on us in so many ways. You have been a part of that and we want to THANK YOU! THANK YOU FOR GIVING. THANK YOU FOR PRAYING. THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING. The greatest lessons we have learned here in San Francisco have been to rediscover learning, a willingness to change, and a faith that allows us to go where Jesus goes.
A year ago, we stated our three objectives. To discover/learn the city, to establish a presence in the city and to begin to love the city in the Way of Jesus. God has provided for all three. We have learned and continue to learn. We are not alone; God has allowed us to partner with people of similar passions and mission. Unless God had connected us to our Faith Community and Reimagine partners, we could not have learned, established a presence and begun to love our City.
There is so much uncertainty that we wrestle with, but we believe that faith is not only what pleases God but that which He uses to grow us. Will you continue to pray with us as we seek God’s direction with our family and finances, the Faith Communities, and our partnership with REimagine? These are three core areas of trust for us. We look forward to celebrating God’s hand evident in these three areas in 2002.
Our family continues to grow and adapt to the city. Kayla’s first school review was an A+! Her teachers expressed profound interest and love for Kayla. It is evident that her little life has impacted the lives of so many. Chase continues to grow and develop. He is beginning to use words. Watch out San Francisco! Kellie as always is our hero! She continues to thrive here, while carrying a new child! She is two months pregnant. We are so excited to be blessed with this new addition, with a “launch date” of July 2002 J.
May God bless you, your family and your church. Please know that we pray for you and with you as we know that God has called you to the same life right were you live. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love,
March 1, 2002
What do dear friends, an emotional down time, a demoniac, the gathering of God’s people, a baptism and a murder all have in common? For Kellie and I, these are the ingredients to a February weekend of ministry here in San Francisco.
Two of our closest friends in the world brought their three girls to visit with us and to experience our ministry here in the city. God’s timing could not have been better. Kellie and I had reached a point of “urban fatigue.” The challenges of life, a pregnancy and a ministry all shaken together in an urban container had brought us to our knees. I in particular had reached a low point that Saturday night. After venting some of my emotions, I found myself on my knees crying out to God. “Lord, why? Why am I dissatisfied?” After searching and wrestling with God, I discovered fatigue and fear in my heart. What a joy to confess and be restored by God.
The next day was Sunday and I cooked a big breakfast for our family and friends. The strength of the Lord was renewing my spirit. We were excited about gathering for worship that morning.
Later as we prepared for the service, a man named Dietrich entered the building. This man whom we had never seen was dressed in black and carrying a bottle of diet coke. We greeted him and welcomed him realizing that something was wrong. Throughout the service, he began to disrupt and move about. Edward, one of our ministry partners stood near him while Michelle and I led worship. Later I sat with him as Edward preached. It became obvious that he was reacting to the word of God spoken. As he reacted we prayed. Soon he began to squirm on the pew and Edward asked him to quiet down as he continued preaching Jesus. Our heart’s desire was to see this mentally ill and addicted man delivered, but soon after the service we realized that multiple spirits were controlling him. Each of the spirits that seemed to control his mind and body spoke to us by way of different personalities and languages. While we wanted to help him, it became obvious that he was there to disrupt. He soon vanished and we have not seen him since.
As we reflected on that experience, Edward and I prayed for the man, for wisdom for the future, and for God’s protection over our Festival of Faith Communities that night. It was obvious that this disruption was a direct attack on our lives and the work of God in our neighborhood.
After lunch, we began preparations for our second Festival of Faith Communities and our first baptism! After clearing out the baptistery that seemed to be unused for years, we rejoiced over the first of many baptisms to come. Making this baptism extra special was my joy as a father to be baptizing my own daughter Kayla. What a special moment. All around the baptistery, our faith communities gathered representing the church. It was a moment we will never forget as we shared the Good News of God’s love through baptism.
Later that night as we reflected on the day, it became obvious to us that a “new thing” was happening amongst us. While we are only a small part of this “new thing” it is a privilege to serve our God – a God who loves our city. While the challenges and trials are intense, we know that God is with us. We also realize that the enemy will fight back and seek to discourage us through fear and fatigue. The events of this weekend were clear evidence of the spiritual battle we walk in.
The following morning the sun rose up over the hills that line the bay just outside our kitchen window. We celebrated the start of a new day. Kellie was already scheduled to work at Kayla’s school, so Chase and I showed the city to our friends. The day was spectacular. It is always good to be back on the streets amongst our neighbors throughout the many San Francisco neighborhoods.
As we returned home that night the enemy was waging a new kind of war – a gang related murder. Just hours before, a young boy named Nick was brutally beaten and run over by a rival gang. Nick died at the scene. All of this happened in broad daylight in our grocery store parking lot. Our neighbors were shaken. It was evident that anger and fear pervaded Bernal Heights. My heart once again cried out to God, “Oh Lord, make us your beacon of hope and light amongst our neighbors. Lord strengthen us.”
We share the story of this weekend with great respect for the complicated city we live in, but with great joy as to the presence and influence God has already given us. This is why we live in San Francisco. We are here not as the solution, but to serve the God who is. We believe that He can remake and restore this city that is so broken and in such need of abundant and everlasting life. Our work is slow. Our work is tedious. Our work at times seems to be in vain. But at times like this, we know that God’s Kingdom is like a wind blowing throughout our city. It has taken us a year, but we know that God is giving us a glimpse into His work amongst the people of our city.
We continue to learn, partner, and cultivate the soil. As we sow seed we realize more and more the need for strong community leaders. Our city needs the dwellers of the Kingdom of God to be strong families, great teachers, ethical public servants, and above all, salt and light. We can no longer simply worship and abide within four walls of a building. The church must go on and make disciples in the neighborhoods, in the streets, on the job, and wherever we live out of our existence.
March and April promise to be busy months. We will host two mission teams here in the city. These groups have committed to learn and serve with us. Please pray for their safety, finances, and God’s leading for their lives while they are here. Our hope is that someday they will call a city like San Francisco home.
Our work with the Faith Communities and REimagine continues to mature and grow. Our family too is growing as we prepare for the birth of a third child. I will be coaching with a ministry friend for a third season as we continue to interact with our community neighborhood and recreation centers.
Our children continue to grow. The story of this weekend makes raising a family tough, but we know that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Kayla is doing extremely well in school. We continue to pray for next year’s schooling as we are hoping that she will be accepted at Fairmount, our neighborhood public school. Chase is growing and developing his personality. We are so blessed to be parents.
Many of you have asked how our Christmas party went. We had over 40 neighbors come through our home to celebrate the holidays! It was awesome! One of our neighbors described us as the family that brings the neighborhood together. Another described us to her daughter as “God fearing” people. Thank you so very much for you’re continued prayer and support.
We are amazed at how God provides the resources and the strength each month. You are such a vital part of God’s provision. We celebrate all that God is doing as partners with you. We could not be here without your prayers and our shared belief in the city’s need for “salt and light.”
Blessings!
October 17, 2001
Dear HOC Friends,
Where does time go? This past month has been for all of us a season of evaluation. We find ourselves embracing life, faith, emotions and most importantly relationships. The tragedy of September 11, 2001 has shaken and continues to shake us all. We as a family and ministry want you to know that we are praying with you through this season of uncertainty. We rejoice and find comfort in our only certainty, Jesus and the good news of His Kingdom.
I am sitting in our Coffee Shops Garden. All around me the sounds of the neighborhood roar. The scent of flowers, greenery, and coffee feel the air. I love this place. All around me are people who gather over coffee to work, read and discuss life with friends. I am here to prepare for our Faith Community tonight, write you and best of all, enjoy a good cup of coffee.
On October 2, 2001, 3 families and one college student birthed the Bernal Heights Faith Community. This is the 3rd Faith Community birthed out of the Richmond Faith Community, which we helped start this summer. In less than a couple of hours we will gather in our home around a meal. Let me tell you, the food is good. Each of us is encouraged to bring what we can. This is intentional. Some weeks we are all about deserts and others with chips but for the most part it’s amazing to see the abundance and diversity of tastes. What a glimpse of the Kingdom of God, each of us bringing our best and celebrating the diversity of our gifts.
After dinner, we move into a time of worship. Because we desire the birth of new Faith Communities, we feel that simplicity must be at our core. Therefore our time of worship is a collective experience. Like dinner we ask that each person or family bring an offering of worship -- a song, scripture, testimony or spoken word. This is an adjustment for those of us who are used to just showing up to a packaged formal service, but we are discovering that our worship experience is just as rich.
The kids are a vital part of our Faith Community. After our time of worship we have a special learning project for them; we expect to have 10 kids tonight! Kellie and I are leading this time around the theme of the Harvest Season. Meanwhile, the adults continue in a time of discussion, dialogue and teaching.
Our Faith Community is less than 3 weeks old and is maxed! Our desire is to assist in the birthing of 3 new Faith Communities out of ours in the next 3 to 6 months. The Lantows hope to birth the OMI Faith Community, the Paulino’s a Bernal Heights Spanish Faith Community and our friends Joanna and Joel the Inner Sunset Faith Community.
Please pray with us as we establish the culture for these Faith Communities. We desire to establish a culture of intimacy with God and each other, while living out a missional life. Our hearts desire is to see these Faith Communities as the expression of the church, networked together with other Faith Communities throughout the city. Can you imagine with me how exciting it will be to see 5, 10, 50, 100 Faith Communities gathering as a citywide expression of the Church? We continue to seek God’s leading. Please pray for us, that we would continue to be learners and to surrender our individuality, as we hope to truly experience being a part of the Body of Christ in San Francisco.
We are immigrants here. Not only are we learning the ways of a world-class urban center, but also entering into a new era of History with this postmodern culture. On one hand we are frightened to journey into the unknown, but on the other hand we are rediscovering the simplicity of Jesus and life in the Kingdom. It’s simply Jesus.
Kayla and Chase are doing well. Chase is healthy and all boy. Kayla not only loves her new school, she has been well received there. Kellie and I have been so blessed by how God is using her to touch the lives of other little kids, parents and teachers. Oh, that we would have the faith of a child! She was helping Kellie with the list of friends she wants to invite to her birthday party, she has already made 10 good friends just from her school alone.
Kellie is our family MVP. San Francisco is a city of statements. Because there are so many causes, we find that people are skeptical of the unknown. Kellie on the other hand has found that ordinary life, as a mother and wife, is the most natural place to integrate faith and life together. She is salt and light at school, at the Bernal Neighborhood Center, the parks and amongst our neighbors. We have truly grown as a team.
Our relationship with the Free Methodist church in our neighborhood continues to grow. Kellie and I have joined Pastor Ed and Julia Paulino in serving that community. For now I preach once a month and lead worship each Sunday. This church is over 100 years old and has a faithful core of about 15 people. As we have mentioned to you in the past, property cost is astronomical and hardly reproducible. With that reality at hand we believe that partnerships with established institutional churches is vital to the future of our Faith Communities. This building is worth well over 2 million dollars and seats about 120 people. We are so thankful for our friendship, our partnership and the opportunity to use this space for the many congregations to be birthed.
In our vision for the city, we realize that we are but a small piece to the much bigger puzzle. With God’s Kingdom is mind, we have developed some intimate relationships with different ministries here in the city. Recently we contributed funds to Campus Crusade, Global Spectrum, First Baptist of San Francisco and the Bernal Height Community Center. We also purchased 96 English and Spanish Bibles for the Free Methodist Church as we prepare that building for multi purpose use amongst Faith Communities. Earlier this summer one of our Missions teams contributed to the Page Street Center. Last but not least we continue to invest in the work of Reimagine as we set out to learn and discover new ways of connecting faith in life in the city of San Francisco.
Your investment in us has spread throughout our city by way of our ministry partnerships, neighborhood presence and the start of Faith Communities. Thank you! We pray that God would continue to bless you and your life abundantly. Thank you for believing with us by way of prayer and your generosity.
While there are so many exciting things to report, we are burdened. Burdened for our new friends, our neighborhood and our city. While so many of them are great people, living good lives we know that they are living without Christ and have yet to discover the peace and hope of new life in Him. Would you pray with us? We long to see some of our new friends Baptized and discover life in the Kingdom of God. Pray that we would be faithful to what we have called to do, knowing that God calls people out.
We miss you bunches and know that with God all things are possible. We pray for you and your church weekly, knowing that we are called be faithful one day at a time.
Blessings,
Ken
September 3, 2001
Summer has come and gone! As we reflect on it, we are so thankful to see how God continues to guide us each step of the way! One year ago this month we set out on a journey of faith, believing that God was calling us to the heart of the city of San Francisco. Today we celebrate a dream that God has made reality.
God has affirmed our ministry by moving mountains and by providing in miraculous ways! The first mountain was funding. Many well-intentioned people had told us that we should plan on a year, if not two for raising support. We believed otherwise. While we continue to raise support for the long haul, God has provided for each and every one of our needs. Many of you have made a significant contribution towards the start of our ministry in less than six months! We are so thankful for the churches and individuals who have sacrificed each month to support us in this endeavor. Another mountain was housing. We were told that cost for decent housing was over $2500 a month, and worse yet that the waiting lists were huge. Kellie believed God to be greater. She prayed for not only a 2/1, but also for extra space for an office, and for gatherings and company. God provided! Then we encountered another mountain. We discovered that owning a gathering space in this city would cost well over a million dollars. We prayed that God would provide a long term meeting space, and He did! And more than just a meeting space, God provided a friend and a ministry partner in our pastor friend Eduard Paulino. Ed Paulino pastors a church just three blocks from our home and has offered the use of his building. We not only plan to use it, but also to partner in ministry together.
Thank you for believing with us! Thank you for praying with us! Thank you for giving with us! We could not be here apart from the people of God who faithfully live according to God’s heart and His mission. We are also thankful for our brothers and sisters here in the city that have so graciously loved us, included us, and cared for us. Their advice as we arrived spared us much pain and frustration both then and now.
We continue to cultivate relationships in our neighborhood. What a unique place to live. The scenery is breathtaking! All around, in every direction, there are thousands and thousands of homes built on the surrounding hills and mountains - great sites to see like 3COM Park, the Bay, Oakland, and the financial district. As we walk the streets, we find that our people are as diverse as our view. As Kellie and I step out of our front door, we wave to Peggy and her dog Beethoven. Peggy is from Hawaii. Just a few streets away we see Marco outside of his coffee shop. He is from Morocco. Kellie stops to greet an Asian woman named Joanna, who is head of the volunteers at the Bernal Neighborhood Center. Outside of the Moonlight Café, a Jordanian woman named Suzie greets and hugs Kayla and Chase. And down at the mission I see Nelson, a man from Peru who works at my favorite Peruvian Restaurant.
We have learned to love and celebrate the diversity of our city, realizing that the gospel knows no language. Once as we prayer walked the neighborhood, we grew burdened by a particular coffee shop near our home that we had frequented when we first moved here. We believe that it is in places like coffee shops that we can meet a large number of the people living in our community. But we were not well accepted there, nor was the ownership very friendly. A couple of months later a gay/lesbian flag went up over the building. We realized then that a statement was being made in our neighborhood. And so we prayed. We prayed that God would grant us favor in that place, even if it meant a change in ownership.
In mid July, I was walking the street with my father. I told him the story of the coffee shop and we stopped in for some coffee. I was overwhelmed! The ownership had changed and the coffee shop was buzzing. As we walked through the shop we discovered toys and a beautiful refurbished patio and garden! Not only had God answered our prayer, but He also granted us favor. Kellie and I have connected with Marco, one of the owners. In a recent conversation with him, I shared that I was a pastor and that we hope to plant a church. His response was “This is a great place to meet people. Use my back room for meetings whenever you want!” WOW!
Little by little, cultivated relationships grow. We believe that some of the people God is putting in our path will walk in the way of Jesus. Kellie continues to work with the Bernal Neighborhood Center. What an amazing opportunity. Every other Thursday she helps bag food for over 150 elderly in our neighborhood. Throughout the week she makes special trips for those who are shut in and in need. Kellie’s sweet spirit and love for Jesus has already touched the people of the Center. We believe that we will have many more opportunities to be salt and light in that place.
Another open door has come by way of Kayla. As with any move, we have prayerfully considered how and where to educate Kayla. We also believe that our family life is our greatest witness to the way of Jesus. Because she is shy of her 5th birthday, we have the option of putting her into 5K or to hold her back for a year. Schooling in San Francisco is very competitive. Schools are either very strong or very weak, creating a high demand for the stronger schools. Because of our transition and the competitive spirit here in the city, we chose to wait out on 5K. About a week later, we received a call from a co-op pre-school called Glen Ridge. What makes the school so unique is that the parents run it! Set in the midst of the city, it is a hidden jewel with its above ground creek - and even a cannon. Please pray for us as we have just been invited into this new pocket of people - almost 60 families! Praise the Lord. If you are interested in learning more about this type of schooling, check out their site at http://www.glenridgecoop.org/.
We continue to work with REimagine and to serve at the Page Street Center. As I mentioned before in our praises, our family has begun serving with Pastor Eduard Paulino who is in the process of planting a Spanish congregation, while shepherding an existing English-speaking group. Our Faith Community experiments this summer were a success. We partnered with our friends the Zanders, Lantows, and Scandrette’s. We discovered unique environments and dynamics with the Faith Communities. Kellie and I hope to start a Thursday night gathering later this month. We continue to pray for opportunities for evangelism. In our six months here we have seen a few people come to Christ, but by far there is a major chasm between those walking in the way of Jesus and those not. We are praying for a moving of God and a fresh harvest amongst us. Until then, we continue to cultivate, believing that the spiritual hunger of this city will come face to face with the way, truth and life of Jesus.
Soccer season has started. I will assist with coaching for one more season. Sarah Matthews, a friend from our previous ministry will be joining us for a couple of months. God has opened a door for her to come and help us with this season of cultivation. Please pray for her as she will be looking for a job in the neighborhood. Pray that God would open a unique door.
We miss each of you and also pray for you and your ministry weekly. As always you can email us at Heartoficity@aol.com. Our prayer is that together, in our own territories, we would see God’s hand at work and His Kingdom expanded.
Blessings to you,
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
June 6, 2001
Dear Heart of the City Friends,
It’s Mothers Day. The sun is bright, the city glows. People are just beginning to wake to a new day. “Happy Mother’s Day, Mam!” the driver yells from his car. “No Mam, Muni is free today. It’s Mother’s Day!” cries the bus driver. “May I help you carry the stroller Mam?” a friendly lady asks on the bus. “Here’s a flower for you Mam. Happy Mothers Day!” says a man at the counter of the restaurant in the Castro District.
Have you ever considered what life would be like if you could not see or hear? How would you feel about that? Would you be angry, scared, confused? Kellie and I both agree that we would be scared!
Kellie and I have been seeking the eyes and the ears to see and hear God’s Kingdom at work in our city for almost five months now. In the beginning we were scared. Our new city seemed dark and without familiar Christian sounds. How blind we were! As God has given us eyes to see and ears to hear, God’s work here has become evident. We have also discovered that many of our attitudes and emotions about the city were developed because of fear, which then turned into anger and confusion. Our model, however, is Jesus as we look at how he treated people and how he approached the circumstances of life.
Whether it be amongst our Christian friends at church and REimagine, our neighbors, the Bernal Neighborhood Center where Kellie serves senior adults, the Page Street Center where we serve food to the Lower Haight, the young soccer players I assist as a coach, a missions team from Florida, or just in our every day experiences, we are becoming aware of God’s love for our city and the work of the Holy Spirit amongst us. God is here! God is at work! His Kingdom is at hand and our prayer is that many would respond to His moving in their lives, repent and believe in the Gospel!
A few weeks ago I was boarding a plane. Kellie had dropped me off in San Jose and was driving home. Little did I know that the transmission would blow on the truck! What a dilemma for me. My family was stranded somewhere off the 101 highway with Kayla and Chase in their nightclothes, and while Kellie is an expert at a lot of things; transmission work is not one of them. As Kellie and I discussed the situation by phone I said, “Kel, I’ll stay back.” She immediately said, “No! God is with us. You need to go. Call me from Atlanta.” (Are you worrying with me?) I was a nervous wreck for five hours. I prayed and ate - prayed and watched a movie - prayed and read a book - prayed and prepared a message. Did I mention how worried I was? Are you familiar with the phones on planes that are on the back of the center seats - those we never use? Well I needed to use one and would you believe it was shut off! “Sorry sir,” I was told, “We are reconsidering the use of these phones and for the time being they are out of service.” Wonderful! As we landed in Atlanta I rushed off the plane to call Kellie. The phone rang once, twice, three times! “Oh great! I should have never got on the plane!” “Hello?” I said. “Hey Kel, how are you?” Kellie went on to tell me that not only did the car make it to a gas station, but would you believe that there was a transmission shop next door?!? How about this - the owner had Kellie driven back to our house in San Francisco! Almost a 45-minute drive each way. I sighed with relief and recalled Kellie’s words, “Kenny, God is with us.”
God is with us. He’s simply waiting for you and I to see and join Him at work. We thank you so very much for being with us by way of prayer and support. Together we are establishing a presence in one of the most diverse, unique and dynamic cities in the world. Will you pray with us that our city would gain the eyes and the ears of the Kingdom of God? Can you imagine the impact? We believe that thousands of spiritual seekers are some day going to have the eyes and ears to see and hear our God at work. There are hundreds of followers of Christ here in San Francisco that believes the same.
We would ask that you pray with us specifically about the start of a faith community committed to being the church in San Francisco. The fall is approaching and we continue to learn. We are praying specifically that a team of people would dream with us and that together we might continue to learn and journey as a community of faith that would bless and give life to the city. Secondly, Kellie is hoping to start a mom’s group here in our neighborhood. She has already begun the research and discovered that there is an interest and in fact a loose gathering of mom’s already meeting. Please pray for Kellie as her life is blessing so many here in our neighborhood. Lastly, would you continue to pray with us about the long-term finances? Like my airplane ride, this is an area of complete trust in the Lord. He continues to provide as only He can. We simply want to be open to each and every way God would sustain us here in the city.
Our summer schedule is already upon us. I am speaking at two camps, Kayla is participating in the wedding of two of our friends from our previous ministry, our REimagine team continues with a new phase of community and research and most importantly we continue to establish a presence here in the city as we prepare to implement some of what we have discovered. Please know that we pray for you weekly. Let’s stay in touch! When possible, drop us a line at heartofcity@aol.com.
Blessings,
The McCord’s
May 14, 2001
Dear Partners,I have come face to face with the words of Jesus, "Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked and ignored, that was me-you did it to me." (Matt. 25:40 Message). As I walk with the kids on the streets of the Mission District, the homeless people ask me, "Mam, can you spare some change?" This has become a normal occurrence in our lives, so we have decided to carry granola bars to hand out instead of money. Kayla often asks, "Mom, is that a homeless person?" Recently, we were in McDonald’s for lunch. Several needy people walked by, table by table, asking for anything. I was heartbroken by the look of rejection, "no, not today" seemed to be the verdict. Finally, someone orders an extra burger and a smile radiates from their face. Christ walks the city. He does not sleep but lies beside the broken that sleep under the bridge, not knowing where the next meal will come from. He hears their groans of desperation and despair. More than ever have the words of Jesus have connected with my life in such a real way. I pray daily for opportunities to touch others with His Grace, His Compassion, and most of all His Unconditional Love. Over and over again, God has invited our family to join Him in His work here in San Francisco. I have learned that "availability" and "flexibility" are the values required if we are to follow His invitation. Our family has been able to meet 14 of our neighbors. Kayla and I are planning to set up a "lemonade stand" one warm afternoon and offer free ice cold lemonade to those who walk by the front of our home. I have been volunteering in our Neighborhood Senior Center every Thursday preparing bags of food for the low income and shut in elderly in our area. I have learned so much by serving the elderly of our community. Parking is always difficult. Recently, I ran in a little market to ask for permission. To my surprise, the beautiful Latin woman behind the counter was filled with tears. I said, "oh, are you okay?" She shook her head no. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" She nodded no again. Without hesitating I immediately said, "Can I pray for you?" To my surprise she nodded with affirmation and gave me a glimpse of a smile. Taking her hand across the counter, I was able to pray for this broken woman. Oh God, I pray that Cecilia might feel the arms of Jesus around her at this time in her life. I then said "amen" and I quickly remembered the reason I came into the market! I asked about the parking and introduced myself to my new friend, Alicia. At that time, I was overjoyed to share with Ken that I knew exactly why we parked here… to share God’s unconditional love with Alicia. We feel honored and privileged to serve God here. We realize we are but a small piece to His great puzzle. Thank you for your love and support. Thank you for believing that God can use our family to make a difference in this city. Just like the beautiful spring flowers that bloom this time of year, I think of the seeds that need to be planted for Our Lord so that one day they may blossom into all that God had created them to truly be in Him. My heart beats faster to think of the work to be done. Because of your love and support, many more seeds will be planted, just like Allysia. I close with the words of Jesus, "My Food, said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." John 4:34. I pray that you too would be challenged to "love the least of these" and to continue "planting seeds" for Our Awesome Savior and Lord.
April 19, 2001
It’s a beautiful day. The sun is out and the weather is unseasonably warm. Some friends from a supporting church are in town. As is typical, we are traveling on the MUNI - San Francisco’s public transportation system. Kellie and the baby have a seat. The lady next to her rocks back and forth. She’s middle aged, clean and obviously mentally ill. She turns to Kellie and says, “Lady, are you going to be friendly with me?” Kellie answers, “Yes Mam, how are you?” The lady answers, “I have been struggling. What’s wrong with me?” She continues, “I have been struggling with these fantasies and I need medication!” The conversation continued for 15 minutes and was quite intense. Kellie spoke blessings and encouragement to her, but who was that lady? Where did she come from? How did she end up that way?
Our city has almost 800,000 people. There are hundreds of cultures, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, conservatives and liberals, caring and uncaring, and on and on we could go; all living in a 7 by 7 mile space. The intensity of one day, one conversation has transformed the way we understand ministry. So many of the programs, events, and ideas that work elsewhere are futile here. The hope for our city is only One - the risen Jesus!
We are so pleased to report that our family is settled in our new home and neighborhood. The home that God has provided is nothing short of a MIRACLE! Our first night in the home was quite comical. Having lived in a small studio for almost 2 months, we were accustomed to being together in a single room. Well, you can imagine…we had no idea of what to do with this much space J.
Our days are consumed with learning and engaging into the already present work of God here in the city. We have partnered with a local center called the Page Street Center that feeds approximately 150 to 180 families each week. I would need 10 pages to appropriately share the impact of this ministry on me personally and the Lower Haight neighborhood. The Page Street Center, led by Eric Bergquist, is truly blessing those who live in that community. These are real people, with real needs!
Our work with REimagine continues. Several of you have asked what REimagine is. REimagine is a group of about 30 to 40 followers of Christ led by a team of six. It exists to step into the spiritual openness of San Francisco and create new ways to communicate, manifest, and unleash the good news of Jesus so that people can become followers of Jesus and become participants in what God is doing in His city. I have spent a large amount of time working on the development of REimagine with five other team members.
Kellie and the kids are active in the community also. Kellie has participated in several kids’ playgroups, connected with some local moms, and has met new people almost every day! I am helping my friend, Dieter Zander, coach a 10 to 12 year old boys’ soccer team at Golden Gate Park. This too has been a unique way to interact with people. This next week we will participate with some of the Earth Day projects here in the city. I will also connect with a one-day youth event this weekend. Next week we will host a REimagine work project in our neighborhood and also a gathering in our home the following day. We have been so blessed by visitors! Already, six groups of ministry partners and friends have come through. One of the blessings of being
here is that our city is a popular place to visit J. This next week, Kellie’s mom will join us. The kids are so excited.
So many of you have asked, how you should pray. Here’s how we are praying: We pray that God would guard our hearts and our family, giving us wisdom and direction. We pray that God would bless His people here in the city and do a wonderful thing amongst us. We pray that God would continue to move in the lives of those seeking Him here in the city. We pray for an awakening! Thank you for praying with us. As Chase was in the hospital, we felt the presence of God throughout the entire situation. As Kellie sat in the hospital, the phone calls and the notes were clear signs of God’s love for us. Thank you!
The cities of our great nation are complex places. The traditional majority, for the most part, lives in the suburbs and edge cities. As you know, your support allows us to establish a presence here in the city; a presence that seeks to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, inviting people to join us on the journey with Christ. Thank you for being a partner and believing that our city, San Francisco, needs this message of the Kingdom.
We miss you dearly but know that our unity in Christ is permanent. Please feel free to email us at heartofcity@aol.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Blessings,
Ken and Kellie McCord
PS. Thank you for giving! Your giving is the means and catalyst to our presence in San Francisco and the start of our ministry here. All donations should continue to be sent and payable to:
