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World Impact East Year Review
As the year wraps up, we want to highlight what God has done in each region of World Impact, particularly in the realm of our new Focus Areas. Here’s a summary of 2014 from the East Coast.
Beyond Commentary to Commitment
There has been a lot of political commentary in recent weeks. There has been a lot of social media and blog commentary. There has also been theological and Christian-based commentary. All surrounding the protests to the Grand Jury decisions in Ferguson and New York.
Christmas Eve Behind Bars
“Each one of these men is a son; they have fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters.” That stuck out to me as Warden Cline of the Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) gave me a tour of the prison and we passed by man after man.
“What More Can We Do About it?”
I have been surprised at how many people have asked me about my positions regarding what has transpired recently in Ferguson, Missouri, and in New York.
Midwest Year Review
As the year wraps up, we want to highlight what God has done in each region of World Impact, particularly in the realm of our new Focus Areas. Here’s a summary of 2014 from the Midwest.
The Road Forward is a Bridge
When Jesus died on the cross for the sins of all of humanity, He built a bridge of sorts. He built a bridge between Sinners and God. He built a bridge between a broken world and the Kingdom of God. To this degree, Christ is a “bridge over troubled waters.”
The Season of Advent
Advent is a wonderful season where we actively remember that Christ is coming, and he will be here soon.
A Long Awaited Graduation
Our colleague, Gustavo Delgado (TUMI Satellite Administrator), volunteered to drive my wife Cathy and I to the first graduation of The Urban Ministry Institute in this prison, honoring a man named Albert.
Ferguson and a Way Forward
I write this post right after the Grand Jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri. The Grand Jury has made the decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown.
Magnification and Prayer
Almost every day, I find myself reciting 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Dealing with the Crisis of Mass Incarceration
Our nation has a serious crisis when it comes to mass incarceration. We are in need of major reforms within the broader criminal justice system.
Out of the Wild: Kaleo Teen Camping Trip
At the beginning of November, The Oaks staff was able to facilitate a leadership campout for young adult guys associated with the Kaleo ministry in LA.
Breaking the Cycle
One of the most difficult things to witness in the inner city is the cycle of generational poverty and generational sin.
Learning and Growing
I have a smaller class this year of just 11 students: three boys and eight girls. Despite what you might think, there are plenty of challenges in teaching this class.
Poor-a-Phobia
Yes, I know that “Poor-a-phobia” is not a word, but I believe it is a sickness that exists within our society today.
The Privileged and the Poor
Last week while attending my first board meeting of the National Association of Evangelicals, I was able to sit in on a discussion on Evangelicals and Poverty.
Flavor Fest
Hip hop culture has consistently set cultural standards of dress, language and social consciousness. Whether or not you like rap, this fact cannot be denied, and it is even true in the Church.
Empowerment Theology
Many times when Christ was declaring or demonstrating that the Kingdom of God was near, He did so through interactions with the marginalized, oppressed, and physically challenged.
