Jesus our God: Contextualization for Urban Youth

We’re teaching the kids about the life of Jesus and last week’s lesson was called Jesus Was Born For Us. One of my goals is to communicate the gospel in a culturally appropriate way. So, with our urban context, I pieced together a video about the life of Jesus and put the song [...]

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Being poor is…

Urban ministry leader Arloa Sutter has a series on Twitter called “Being poor is….” and it hits the reality of urban poverty on the head. They resonate with me because they are 100% true!  I’ve been there and I know other people who have been there.    Arloa understands urban poverty issues and communicates them [...]

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Teaching kids about justice.

I was doing some research this afternoon about how to teach kids about justice from a Christian perspective.
PBS Teachers has a website on justice activity ideas that I found helpful.
But, really, I can’t find many resources on the issue. If you know of any, let me know! Otherwise, maybe I should do some [...]

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New jeans – love hurts.

Drew Benton writes very eloquently about an experience with friendship and love hurting, from an urban ministry perspective.
Several weeks ago I was approached by one of my homeless friends out in the parking lot of Safehouse Outreach. He told me that he thought we were the same size and wondered if I had any jeans [...]

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Jim Collins on Distinguishing Great Talent

Arloa Sutter points out what Jim Collins shares about distinguishing great talent:
How do you distinguish the truly great talent from the rest?
The right people don’t need to be managed. The moment you feel the need to tightly manage someone, you’ve made a hiring mistake.
The right people don’t think they have a job: They have responsibilities. [...]

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Lecrae – intelligent, theological hip hop

Check out rap/hip hop artist Lecare. I started crushing on him after watching the Desiring God: Don’t Waste Your Life series interview here, here and here. But, alas he is married.
His best song is “Send Me” a going to the nations, missional hip hop song. Represent!  The video is brilliant. I wish [...]

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I wish that poor people could have money

This picture was taken from a book that I made in kindergarten – 25 years ago! The page was asking “I would wish for…” For myself, I wished for “Barbie stuff,” for my parents I wished for “a new house.” And for everybody, I said, “I wish that poor people could have [...]

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Quote

“We really have to stop this nonsense talk about taking the world for Christ when most of us don’t even know our own next door neighbours. And we need to stop expecting God to do what we are too lazy or afraid to do ourselves.”
Backyard Missionary

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How I began working with children @ risk

I’ve been serving in urban ministry for the last six years. My urban journey began while I was studying at Lee University. As an Intercultural Studies major I was required to do a ten week practicum in a cross-cultural setting. I chose Chicago because it was a cheaper option than leaving [...]

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White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack

From White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack by Peggy McIntosh:
1. I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.
2. If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure of renting or purchasing housing in an area
which I can afford [...]

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