Updates from the Heart

24th and Mission, three years later

Dear Friend of Jesus,
April 8, 2005

The four corners that mark Mission and 24th are among the most intense corners I have ever seen. A few years ago, I wrote you from the northwest corner of that intersection as I sat watching people pass. As I watched them, their lives became a metaphor to me – that of a river of life, sometimes rushing, as seen in the lives of the working class immigrant, young hipster or artist; sometimes still or at a slower pace, as seen in the lives of other seemingly suspicious characters. Two realities within the whole spectrum.

Three years later I am sad to say that 24th and Mission is scarcely different. Some new faces, many the same, but in the midst of thousands, it’s hard to tell. Their lives give evidence of a master other than Jesus. I am humbled by the fact that our being here seems so irrelevant to them, and that there is no evidence of change in their midst.

The evidence of God’s love for the city and the presence of His people has not yet been revealed on the corner of 24th and Mission and yet all around the city there are tiny signs of life – green buds birthing out of the bear landscape, like spring pulling life out of winter. Three years later I have been changed and formed to see God’s beauty flowing all around this river of confusion we call the city.

One of the most personal evidences of life I have seen has been born within the realm of the Free Methodist Church, a four-year partnership. Together we shared late nights, sweaty brows and lonely Sundays, and yet God’s unwavering presence and faithfulness carried us through those dark, cold days. And now, like spring sneaking up on a hard winter, the signs of life blessed us this past month when over eight teenagers placed their faith in Jesus Christ! Under the leadership of two faithful men, Edward and Fabian, those decisions reveal the presence of God flowing from within, and not our craftiness or skills it is the simple abiding in Jesus that bears the fruit of faithfulness. Father, will you be glorified! Thank you for giving! Thank you for praying! Thank you for serving! We fully expect future work in the neighborhood and with other churches to continue moving us closer and closer together as friends of Jesus, seeking a spiritual revolution that will flow like a river.

As we walk this vineyard of life, we walk in faith and peace. The fear that had been emerging in our hearts, as part of our own formation as city dwellers, is now surrendered and replaced by an amazing sense of peace and satisfaction in Christ. Mountains seem to be moving and opportunities continue to surface daily.

While our burden for the immigrant and the weak in our city is greater today than ever, we also, as young, creative families grow restless for others like us. Naturally, we spend most of our lives, on our streets, in our kids’ schools, and in our neighborhood (known as an emerging village of young families) with hundreds of friends who fit our season of life.

While most start churches when thinking of expanding the church, we continue to reconsider God’s way for expansion. Many of the resources required for church planting are in place, such as a building, cultivated relationships, and great tools of communication. However, the most essential part is missing, laborers for the harvest. We continue to see the opportunity to pursue a harvest with Jesus’ existing church.

In the midst of this season of searching, we have been overwhelmed with a sense of opportunity and peace that has emerged from almost two years of conversations with the directing leaders of Golden Gate Community Church, a church that has sought to love and live like Jesus in San Francisco for over 20 years. Together, we believe that we can continue to pursue the Kingdom of God and expand the church. We believe that this healthy church has much of what we lack and we have some of what they are moving towards. One of our dreams is to bring our fellowships together in order to meet the needs of those who need Jesus most, and also to equip saints to fully live their calling as their unique part in Jesus’ work in the world. Like a puzzle, many other pieces form the whole – all of life integrated into the Way of Jesus – work, home, leisure, worship, and so on.

Others signs of life continue to give us hope and peace. In February and March I had the privilege of serving churches in Ohio, North Carolina and Florida. In each case, I worked strategically with leaders as they pursued mission in the heart of their cities. It is this work that confirms Heart of City’s role of inspiring, exhorting and equipping friends of Jesus and the churches that are seeking to love a city.

We recently had an opportunity to serve a church in San Francisco through preaching and teaching. This past month, I have been asked to do a series for Full Life Christian Church here in San Francisco, a wonderful church in the outer Richmond District. Like so many churches in the city, they are without a pastor. Would you pray that God would send shepherds, teachers, and great administrators who will fill the void while raising up leaders from the soil here? We also pray that these churches would surrender to some of the faithful who are already serving here as Shepherd/Teachers like our partners Dave and Marcia Lantow. We trust Jesus and continue to serve in a small way by consulting and serving along side churches here in the city. Thank you for praying and giving, making this a possibility.

We go about doing our work, receiving from God with an open heart, while releasing to the church and to our neighbors. We continue to seek the peace and prosperity of this city, believing that from it God is glorified and giving His peace. We believe that we have everything we need today for today. More than ever, we believe that by being here, the realm of God is invading and changing the soil of this city. The principalities and forces that rule this city are submitted to the rule of Jesus Christ and all things today are working together for the glory of the Father. Thank you for working, going, and praying with us.

Would you pray specifically this month for:

Our conversations with Golden Gate as we “graft” into the existing and seek to exhort the church to seek first the Kingdom on mission with Christ.

Pray for our neighborhood. Just blocks from our house the FBI has been hard at work shutting down gangs and drug houses. This past month the corner market was vandalized in the cross fire and a local Taqueria yielding over 20 percent of the city’s drug traffic, $30,000 cash and nine guns was raided. So close to home, yet as if miles away, for we feel the protection of Jesus as a direct result of your prayers.

Would you pray for the co-operative kitchen? We believe that this can grow from an experiment to a movement that can expand many life skills that were given to us by God.
While the pursuit of our longer-term sustainability is clearly in God’s hands, we continue to pursue the possibility of owning a small business. Would you pray with us that this mountain would move only if it is God’s plan for our work?

As we continue to serve the church here and in other cities, will you pray for God’s best for His church? Pray also for emotional health and protection for those who press forward as leaders and disciples of Jesus.

Kellie and the kids are doing great! As we approach the end of another school year, we wish we could slow time as the children continue to grow. Kayla and Chase are starting baseball and Hannah is ready for preschool NOW, but will have to wait until the fall. Chase has been accepted into Kayla’s school, Miraloma Elementary, one of our local Public Schools. We are so excited that they will be going to school together in the fall of this year.

The spontaneous generosity of many of you who have continued our support is affirmation to God’s promise of provision as we continue to transition into this new season in San Francisco! Thank you for giving! Check out some new pictures of the kids online @ http://www.kennethmccord.com/ and on our blog http://www.kennymccord.blogspot.com/. Thank you again for loving God and loving our city through us! We are thankful for the generosity of your gifts during this time, but your prayers are the greatest investment we could possibly receive.

In His love,Ken

posted by Ken McCord @ 3:51 PM