Intentional Block Party

Amanda and I hosted our very first community outreach to our own neighborhood last night in the form of a block party.  We put this on the calendar about 6 weeks ago because we just sensed that we needed to continue the momentum that would likely be present from the mission trip, and because we are getting to know our neighborhood better and better.  Over all things, our neighborhood needs Jesus and we figured this event could plant some seeds for the future.

I personally went back and fourth on how to do this.  Who do we advertise this to?  Our street only or do we expand in to other blocks?  How much do we evangelize during the event?  What do we say and how do we say it?  What role would EFC members take in helping with the event?  To what degree do we involve our neighbors?  As usual, God had a plan and we just needed to release these things to Him.

We chose to keep this particular event pretty low-key.  Being our first outreach to the area we wanted to just get our names and faces out there to let people know who we are and let people know we are here.  We didn't wear the "Who is Jesus to You" shirts simply because we didn't know how many would show up to the event.  Recognizing the nuances of our culture, it might be overwhelming to see 15 people dressed the same at an event like this one when you don't know anyone who is running it!

I was so impressed and overwhelmed at the support that the EFC team gave to us.  Mike brought a vanload of people from the Family Tree Apartments who were in it to help out!  They helped us with setup, takedown, cleaning, and fellowshipping with our neighbors.  It was amazing first to see so many of them step up to the plate, and second to see what they did.  God was truly at work last night in each and every one of them.

The event was a success.  We had good turnout and got to talk to many of our neighbors.  The thing I kept hearing was "this neighborhood hasn't done anything like this in a long time."  Others said "I finally know the people around me," and they have lived on our block for years.  We talked to neighbors who are enduring nasty family situations and others who recently moved in and are looking for community.  We had a good number of kids show up from around the area to play on our giant inflatable obstacle course and bounce house, and much kid energy was expended for 3 hours on our street!

I always reflect on these things and wonder what could have been done differently.  From a human perspective, I see that we could spread out and advertise more, particularly in the blocks directly to our east and west.  There are many people in those areas who are hurting or barely getting by.  We could involve more neighbors in the planning and execution of everything.  We could have arranged all of the equipment so that it would be easier to address the crowd with our sound system.  But the thing I come back to is that the Lord will do what He has set out to do.  While I am a sheep who doesn't always listen well or follow the orders from the Great Shepherd, He has the ability to do what He intends to do even if I don't account for every little detail.  That's the way our God is.  What He wants my family to do is to first lay these activities at His feet and ask for His presence in the event.  Next we are to plan as we are able to do knowing that He can either move things forward or shut them down.  Finally we have to go out and "do." I am just convinced that the Lord is in control of these things and that if I will just leave it with Him in faith, He will accomplish what He sets out to do.  I believe He did that last night.

 This was a game called "Paul has a little more energy so let's have him prevent the kids from running the obstacle course when they all run at him at once."

The titanic struggle between Mike and Paul on the obstacle course.  This could have been on Pay Per View.

What happens next?

I really don't know what our next step will be.  We have nothing on the calendar relating to our neighborhood in the near future.  I will be attending church planter initial training in October, and in September will be going to a training event titled "When Helping Hurts," which is about ministry to the homeless and how to actually help them long-term instead of just giving more handouts that don't have an effect.  I'm really excited about both of those things, and I sense right now that God just has us entering a season of learning and preparing for church planting.

Our heart is with planting a church right here in our neighborhood.  I have described the need previously and simply can't ignore the direction that the Lord seems to be taking us.  Suddenly doors that were shut and bolted are wide open.  People are interested in helping us right here in our neighborhood.  The Lord seems to be stirring hearts to come work with us.  There is much going on beneath the surface.  Based upon what we are sensing that the Lord wants us to do, we will be pursuing this end with increased energy.

What we need

The reality of the Pacific Northwest is that there is no hope without Jesus.  Period.

First we need prayer.  Pray that the Lord will give Amanda and myself insight on what to do next.  Pray that we'll leave our activities in His hands and let Him decide on what will happen with them.  Pray that the Lord will bring leaders to assist us, whether they rise out of our ranks right now or are called from somewhere else.  If you are interested in receiving regular prayer updates from us via text message, you can do so by going HERE.

Next, it is entirely possible we will need you and your family.  If the Lord can call us from Texas to drop everything we are doing and follow Him, it is entirely possible He will do that to you.  You might be in another state or might already be here in Washington, and He may be calling you to drop your fishing nets and come along.  We are praying for 2 couples who will join us in the work of planting a church here, and I believe it may be that the Lord is already tugging at some hearts out there.

Here are some things to consider in your life:

Do you feel uneasy in your current position or place?  Do you feel like in the near future something is going to change and you may not be there much longer?

Do you feel a specific tug toward the Pacific Northwest?

Do you sense God telling you that He wants more of you in His work?

Did you read something recently in the Bible that seemed to leap off the page and spoke to moving or changing your position in life?

If any of these things are things you are currently experiencing, I would encourage you to pray.  Just abandon everything to the Lord and ask Him if He might be leading you here.  You might be surprised at what He has to say!  All of the things above are components of the call Amanda and I experienced.  In addition to that He used songs that we were listening to and encouragement from fellow believers around us.  God can use anyone and anything to speak to you directly!

Your response might be that you aren't the pastoring type.  We don't need you to be a preacher, and it is very likely you don't even need to leave your profession or go into full-time ministry.  What we need is for families to move themselves here and live their lives here in the Northwest.  Enroll your kids in the schools here, attend community events, meet and engage with other people, and live for Jesus.  We need you to find one or two people whom you can disciple and live life with.  We need you to move into a neighborhood with eyes open to what Jesus is doing there so that you can join Him.  We need behind the scenes workers who can organize and move things forward.  We need people who will do Bible studies with others around them.  Above all things, we need people who will follow Jesus anywhere and who love people as a result.

Only Christ Himself can change this place.  You and I are privileged to be a part of His plan to bring people to Himself because He loved you and I before we first loved Him.  How great it is to be a servant of the King!

Will you join us?