Image a lot in the middle of downtown Bakersfield with two houses on it. One small two-bedroom, 1 bath mini-missionary-guest-family house (about 840 sq. ft.), one five-bedroom community house. Paint them both green and do some fix up and we're talking "Green House" in Bakersfield inner city.
The reality is that the lot isn't exactly inner-city, if we even agree that Bakersfield has an "inner" to it, nor is it right in the middle of a residential area. But nonetheless, it sparks an idea of a Bakersfield-type Pink House (Fresno's Inner-City house for Urban Ministry). Our focus this year for campus ministry is Justice and Evangelism, believing the two to be inseparable. Both Tina and I are convicted that although we may be "all-in" intellectually, there isn't much we are doing practically to model this for students, or more importantly, as following where we believe Jesus is leading.
Just ditching everything and moving to the poor isn't always necessarily synonymous with following Jesus, but when the opportunity to take a risk in that direction presents itself, I completely believe that God will honor it, and regardless of the turnout, you learn more about and get closer to Him. Now what exactly that looks like...this?
2 comments:
That's an exciting possibility. I'm glad you guys are thinking about it.
man, you and Tina seem to be right where I am spiritually. I've been reading a lot about Christians living in a real community. I was completely inspired by Dorothy Day's autobiography and have such a desire to try a "hospitality house" lifestyle.
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