the Journey

If you're free early on Sunday morning... church on the streets

That's our gear right there for the 8 am service in Linn Park. The van was donated- and then painted. The Trailer was built from scratch (see the video below). 

Each week, we take church outside to the streets before our 10:30 service at the warehouse, inside. There are many homeless in Birmingham (2,400, according to The Birmingham News), and so we go to them, and to many families who know that we will be outside and will be available to assist whatever needs may arise. 

In the past year, we have used this venue to take people off the street and provide them with housing and jobs. Others have been placed into the program at The Village. Others have been assisted in other ways...

If you're free that early, feel free to join us. It's one of the highlights of Noah's (5) week. And, at this age, he is already convinced that he can help a homeless person find Jesus, find housing, and find a job... b/c he's been with me when I've done it. 

(You can email me if you want more info.)

Here's what The Trailer looks like from concept to implementation:

As well, here's a short overview of what we did with the Trailer one Sunday when it rained and we had to take the thing under the bridge, under I-20/59 near the west side of the Civic Center/ 19th Street)- yes, we do this rain or shine, regardless of how hot or cold it is....

Rewind of the 10/24 Southtown event / Bless the Streets

There's Lenny hanging with some of the kids during the Southtown event. I posted a bit about this on Monday, in which we featured the video of Trey dancing... here's a few more thoughts:

* Short-Tee did announce that we were looking to put a Hip-Hop Church downtown, somewhere. It will most likely be at The Downtown Trading Company site if/when it happens- due to the proximity it has to "foot traffic" and people that can walk to it from their homes. That announcement raises more questions that provides answers, but he tossed it out- and I've gotten 17 questions a day on it... so, I'm giving my 2-cents. 

* I had prayed that this event would allow us to interact with Southtown- but that it would also help me network with other leaders to carry forth the vision that God has given us for the city. I'm praying for 50 leaders (not participants- but LEADERS). We have a few. Saturday, God brought more:

    Pastor Short-Tee and his bride, Paula.

    Theo Soul, and his wife Marsha.

    Major. (LIsten to him here: 02 Track 02

    Jimmy & Krystal.

* We were also blessed by a group that Chief Roper sent our way : )

* Here's what this group committed to doing- they're going to loop the city, hitting a few key spots every 2-3 weeks, consistently. They will take the church outdoors to get a presence in the community, meet the neighbors... building the church outside of the four walls.

* I know. That sounds exciting and vague- all in one. More details to come.

The Downtown Trading Co.- thrift store, community center?, and church?

OK. Actual picture taken this week. You can provide the caption. I didn't know if we were getting a ticket... if the officer was just sitting there... or what. It happened after we couldn't park directly in front of our trading co. building due to city workers on the street cutting through gas lines...

The end result was not ticket. But, still...

Here's the latest on the trading company- I'm sharing so that you can pray.

1) We are moving towards opening soon. In fact, we need to actually get rid of some stuff immediately so that we can open. However we organize it, there's stuff stacked on stuff. And, our garage (that was supposed to be a sorting area where we could also park work vehicles) is now full. Look for a "yard sale" blow-out, give-away- or something like that very soon.

2) We're going to use the space for more than just the "store." It's evident after being there for just a few weeks that we can use it for meetings and other things... like a community center might be used. This means the following:

* We will likely begin holding a women's Bible study there on Saturday mornings in the near future. And, 

* Pastor Short-Tee and others have spoken of launching a Hip-Hop Church (not a typo- I did use the word Hip-Hop) before "church" out of the space in the near future as well. If we do it, we'll gather a launch team, etc., and look at a Sunday evening blow-out. Odd thing is... we already have the sound equipment that can stay there, we have been given furniture that works perfectly... we have the space... This would be a no-cost launch!

Pray. These are all incredible opportunities.

Leave- and keep- the neighborhood better than you found it

Last Saturday (10/17), Pastor Richardson mentioned that when the Children of Israel walked around Jericho, when they blew the trumpets and the wall came down... it wasn't enough. They then had to "go up" into the land that was given to them. They had to complete the job. 

The parallel was this, he said:

We walked through the neighborhood, tearing down strongholds and praying... and shouting for the walls to come down. And, they did. However, it would not be right for us to simply walk away- there must be follow-up. We must now take possession of the territory.  

In fact, if we do not take possession, the condition of the place could get worse- worse after we leave than it was before we ever came (see Luke 11:24-26). 

That said, here's some ways to follow-up in Southtown:

1) GED classes are every Tuesday evening. Right now, we have a high demand for male teachers. To teach, you need to simply be able to read- you can, then, lead the student right through the lesson...

2) This Saturday, we have an event called "Bless the Streets" with Short-Tee-, other Gospel Hip-Hop artists, and the people at T.R. McCoy, who have recently taken over the community center in Southtown. FYI, the event will run from 2:00- 3:30 pm on Saturday, October 24, 2009.

A few months ago we walked... and prayed... and are seeing the fruit of it. Let's go in and do the work that needs to be done.

Stompin' the devil in Wylam: prayer walk update from 10/17

The six minute run above highlights the walk in Wylam from 10/17/2009. Make note, that the next walk will be in the Norwood area on 11/21/2009 (again, a Saturday). This will be the last prayer walk for the year. After taking December off, we'll be back up & running in January 2010.

Here are a few thoughts from the Wylam walk:

* At this walk in became obvious that the prayer group that is forming, now some 300 or more strong, plus visitors, is becoming a family. It's, in a sense, turned into a mobile church made up of 7 or 8 churches, all represented in the caraving group that prays over our city once a month, in the specific areas denoted by Chief Roper.

* We befriended Saint Paul AME Church in Wylam, where Pastor Richardson leads the charge. He is a spunky and spiritual follower of Christ (if you meet him, you'll see what I mean) who is mighty in the Scriptures and has a great vision for the area. You'll hear more of him.

* I also met Captain Henry Irby of the West Precinct. We took The Trailer to feed the firemen of station 1 & 2 this past week; we'll likely be making similar trips to bless the men in blue at the West Precinct under Captain Irby soon, as well. In my opinion, they have the toughest area of Birmingham.

* Interestingly enough, we learned that crime is down in Birmingham (by double digits! in every area) and UP in Mountain Brook and Vestavia. Maybe we can go pray there, too?

* Chief Roper is attributing the drop to prayer. "Our officers must work... but we must pray, too," he says repeatedly.

* Also, remember that the crime drop represents people. When murder is down by 30% (as it is), that means 30% more wives and mothers who are not alone. When rape is down, that means 25% less abuse and after-effects...

* Pray over the park in the Wylam area. It seemed to be an area of gang activity. Pray that it would be safe, and be filled with kids and their parents playing...

* Pray for, as odd as it sounds, the blue house on the left, first street we turned onto... something stirred in my spirit as I walked by. I think it's an opportunity for something in the future...

* See you Saturday, November 21, in Norwood. Details will go on the Prayer Force United site soon. 

Prayer walk in Wylam tomorrow! Chief's comments...

Here's Chief Roper's comments from the last Prayer Force United leadership team luncheon. I'm posting, to share with you his insights into why we pray, and why we go where we go each month...

The prayer walk this month is in Wylam. Saturday, October 17th... we start walking at 10:30 am. Plan to arrive a bit early, so that you can park, get to the "starting line," etc. Directions are on the Prayer Force website. 

Shout out to the good people at Fire Station No.1 & No.2

Today we met the good men and women of Fire Stations No. 1 and No. 2 in downtown Birmingham. We've worked with The Birmingham Baptists before, partnering with them for various projects around town (Metro Changers, Thanksgiving projects, etc.). About two months ago, they proposed to have "some" church adopt every fire station and police precinct in the city. The church would pray for the men and women of those precincts/ stations, regularly visit them, etc...

So, today we went to serve the people at Fire Station No. 1- and they invited No. 2 to come along. And, yes, we took The Trailer with us : )

I was humbled at how gracious and honoring these people were- to us. They changed from their "blue t-shirts," which would have been fine with us, into the collared shirts with pins and badges...

My family and I arrived about 45 minutes early, after finishing a late Pancake House breakfast (I take Wednesdays off, so that's what we do...), and were greeted by a firefighter named Alan, who took us around the building, showed us trucks...

Two of his partners allowed our kids to try on the boots and pants and jackets...

The mom of the house, Elisa, who doubles as a grandmother of 5 in our off time, took my kids for a tour of the bunk house, the living room, and the large kitchen. She even snitched to them that, ironically, one station had a kitchen fire while food was left burning when they went to put out another fire.

After a moment, I saw why, though. As we were feeding the 45 or so of them that were there, the sirens went off. Truck #1 was called away- and I saw men immediately jump out of line to prepare to leave. Turned out to be a false alarm. They were going to help free someone trapped in a car, and that person made it out. So, we got to see the engines crank up, the lights go on... but the trucks never had to leave the station. Whatever the case, they'll drop what they're doing to go serve someone else- even if that means leaving food on the table- or the grill.

I'm honored that we have such good people serving us. There were many men I have never met who were so gracious and attentive to us... there were others I've probably met at the weekly wreck at the intersection where our warehouse sits on 24th and 3rd...

All good people...all, if you read the Bible, ordained by God to do what they are doing.

Interested in more? We'll go back regularly... as in each month or so...And, we'll be visiting the local police precincts with our friend Police Chief Roper very soon, too. Check back for times- and feel free to join us.

Until then, pray for them. They spent 24-hour a day shifts away from their family while helping people with seizures, assisting people who have just had car accidents... 85% of their calls are emergency medical calls, I learned... And, yes, they still put out fires. Whatever the case, they are the front lines, many times, serving the people of our city when they must need help.

Prayer transforming the city? Video post

Here's a great snippet of the Prayer Force United Ministry that we've been involved with since the June prayer walk in Southtown. I believe the continued prayer is responsible for opening doors there... and, I believe that it's having a major factor in the drop in crime in our city. 

There's still much work to be done. Enjoy the 7-minute video- and come join us in Wylam on Saturday, October 17th. 

The Trailer- in action (22-second video)

Here's a few seconds of the Linn Park service from this past Sunday. This is before everything really begins... I shot 20 seconds, after I figured out how to use the video function on the phone. Then uploaded, without editing, straight to YouTube from the phone. 

At this service (which begins at 8:00 am each Sunday, usually in Linn Park- under the 19th Street cross of Interstate 20/59 near the Civic Center if it's raining, such as this past Sunday), we worship... someone preaches... then we serve food off the trailer... I'll get an edited version up soon.

The Downtown Trading Co.- almost ready to rumble

Next Saturday, October 10, UAB Into the Streets (a project fueled by Mission Birmingham) is sending 50 volunteers to assist with the last push on the grand opening of The Downtown Trading Company. Some will paint, others hang the massive sign, others will sort and fold... others will go into the neighborhood... The event will run 8 am until 2 pm, with a prayer and lunch at 11:30. Come all day- or simply come pray and eat. Either way, I wanted to give you some thoughts on the "why" of the new project:

We read that, in the Early Church, no one was in need. We read, “With great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great power was among them all. There was not a needy person among them...” (Acts 4:33-34a).

Acts 2:43-45 says that, as a result of the generosity, “awe came upon every soul.” As well, “many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And, they were selling their possessions and belongs and distributing the proceeds as anyone had need.”

We see that the Church, in this passage, did a two things (among all the other incredible ministry):

First, they shared what they had. If they had two coats, they gave one away. If they had other items, they didn’t hoard and store them- they passed them on.

Second, they even sold extra things that they had- so that the money from the sell of those items could be used to help those in need. We even read that “as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold” (Acts 4:34b). We might even say that their definition of a “need” was very different than ours. They seemed to have simplified greatly- in order to help those in great need.

Right now, we’re tackling the first- simply creating a vehicle to share, to give, to exchange...

Paul wrote, “To each is given... for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). It is our belief that everyone has something to offer- and that, at any given time, any of us could be in need. 

We also read that, “Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up [people]” (1 Corinthians 14:12). Does this not fit with what Acts says, that there was great power... maybe because of the great grace of giving that was evident in the Church?

We’re told that we’ll always have the poor with us (Mark 14:7) and that we should open our hands to them- not growing weary or hard-hearted (Deuteronomy 15:10-11). The Downtown Trading Company is a method to not just learn these Scriptures, but to live them...