Take it Abroad and Across the Street

Jesus left one very prominent command when he departed from earth after his resurrection. He commanded his followers to “make disciples.” For some it meant literally to “go” from where they were to deliver good news and establish Jesus’ kingdom. For others, they were to remain and work for the transformation of their community. Either option was fraught with challenges, whether coming up against hyper-zealous religionists or invading the domain of humanistic institutions with little tolerance for proselytism. Jesus didn’t qualify this command with “out” clauses, rather he promised to send his Spirit to partner in the process of making disciples wherever their feet would land.

Two years ago I became the pastor of a small community of believers in the east bay. The prior pastor infused in our community a DNA that reoriented our view of church. That was the beginning of a long process. For years we had maintained all the usual programs that churches do. In fact, we were very engaged as a church in overseas ministry, partnering in the Philippines with local churches to bring medical care, training and the proclamation of the good news. But something was lacking in church. We were weak in local outreach. When our feet were on this side of the Pacific we became busy in our jobs, school, our families and the busyness of church. We had missional eyes but we were far-sighted.

Why was it that we could openly proclaim the good news to young and old, rich and poor over there but we were clammed up here, unable to even approach familiar strangers at the local coffee shops or on our campuses or at work? My frustration mounted each year as I observed the let down that occurred following mission. Team members would be caught up in the cares of this life, struggling in their walks with Jesus. Our discipleship process had taken us overseas but we missed our “Jerusalem.”

For me personally, the Lord spoke and called me back to himself, to daily, personal devotion and a lifestyle of prayer. As pastor I was trying to fill someone else’s shoes and meet people’s expectations rather than be who I was created to be. My place was to dwell daily in the presence of Jesus, hearing from him and being refocused on my calling and gifting. That same calling came to several others in our community. Almost simultaneously there was a resurgence of personal devotions with Jesus and gatherings of believers one on one for mutual care and accountability.

What sprang from this organic faith was a reorientation to the mission field across the street. As we rooted ourselves in God’s word and daily time listening to him, we began to be emboldened to take action in the local marketplace, in the community where people like us live. One of our members met up with some local homeless people and determined where they lived. He purchased a large pizza and walked into their homeless encampment near the freeway. You’d be amazed at who lives in the bushes and trees! He went in boldly, with the conviction that Jesus wanted to reach these people who had either been discarded by their families and society or had chosen to live a hidden life. Our team member went in among paroles, alcoholics and dealers and reached out. Soon he was bringing others from our community into these camps to bring blankets, food and an encouraging word. Some came to our church building when we were serving meals. Of course they were there for the food but they also came to hear God. As a result of reaching across the street we are finding that serving people in this way becomes much more complicated when we try to take on meeting their needs ourselves. We are forced to partner with our fellow brothers and sisters who have established services to the homeless and urban poor. This is a good thing and opens up more doors for ministry.

But what really struck me in this process of reaching out is the impact it has on those who are not homeless or poor. Since the homeless at times hang out at my local coffee shop, the workers behind the counter see compassion at work. They can tell when you buy a cup of coffee and a bagel for a homeless woman. They see it when you sit next to them and engage in conversation. They can’t help being impacted by this kind of love. Their preference is that these people would go away. They create messes and take advantage of the services of that establishment. But they know that these folks need help too. So an act of kindness to the homeless leads to the next step in reaching people in the marketplace. It’s sort of trickle up evangelism. It opens doors for conversation and eventual presentation of the good news, first observed in action and then explained in words. It’s the process of making disciples across the street in the marketplace.

As a community of faith we have a long way to go to become a transformative influence in our city. For me, it feels like I’m starting all over again being Jesus’ disciple. I’m learning to hear his voice again like the day I received him into my heart thirty years ago. I'm learning that Jesus has people in our city who need to meet him. These people live across the street from our homes and our churches and across the aisle from our desk space. Jesus calls me to serve him abroad and I still will be obedient to that calling. But he’s calling me to reach out locally and to lead my community of faith in that same direction.