Giving thanks with you today! 

 

 

Thanksgiving, November 23, 2006

 

Dear Praying Friends,

 

On November 11, we were able to thank the Lord together for five years at The Neighborhood Center.  It was a marvelous celebration we called “The Miracle on Fillmore”.  We wanted to thank you, those of you who were able to attend.  For those that couldn’t come … we wanted to give you a glimpse into this day of thanksgiving.

 

The Vision Tours –

In addition to thanking the Lord for the miracle we live with every day, we set up booths envisioning the future of The Neighborhood Center.  

http://www.nmaz.net/photos/20061111.htm

 

There were large photos at each booth envisioning each building once they become renovated.

http://www.nmaz.net/photos/20061026renderings.htm

 

 

The Program –

The last time we celebrated like this was just past Nov. 8, 2001, when we got our occupancy permits to move into our new home, which is what we called this Neighborhood Center for years ... our new home. 

 

When Phase I of the Neighborhood Center was built, we needed to take a rest.  You can imagine how tired we were, emotionally, spiritually and physically.  And so, when people asked us what was coming next, or what we thought about for the future of the next four acres, we would just hope we weren’t supposed to have the answers to that question, it was just too much to think about.  We needed to get used to living here, and get stronger internally.  

 

But about three years ago, we began the trip toward the future.  We called it our “Road Map” process.  We wanted to begin to strategically seek the Lord for the future of the Neighborhood Center. 

 

Just about everyone in the Neighborhood Ministries family got involved.  We were honored with a grant from the Kellogg’s Foundation which funded the mentoring we received from the Peter Drucker center for non-profits. Out of that process came a developed “Road Map”, some people would call it a strategic plan.

 

All the while, we intentionally made the convictions, mission and core values of Neighborhood Ministries front and center.  We didn’t want growth to dilute the heart beat of this place.

 

While we were continuously moving down the “Road Map” many other things were happening around here … programs were birthed for teen moms and adjudicated youth.  Indigenous leadership development was bursting out all over.  Our bilingual multi-ethnic church was growing stronger year by year.  Headstart, started … the Parent Volunteer Program, Hope House, jobs development, more two-year interns every year, more kids, more youth, more adults … more staff … this ministry was expanding on every front.  And those we had loved for years were maturing and taking on responsibilities.

 

The ink was barely dry on the strategic plan when we entered one of the most overpowering years of our lives.  Intense pressures, internally and externally, unbelievable opportunities, and many tragedies  … one so terrible, our precious Katy, a valiant young minister here, whose life continues to be an inspiration to us all … just 27, died of a brain tumor.

 

Our expectations only increased.  As we walked forward toward today, we knew God was up to something.  It is impossible to minister in this community and not know our own weaknesses.  Our weaknesses remind us that this is his work, that apart from Him we can do nothing, but with Him we can do all things.  This intense season has only prepared us to be constantly vigilant, waiting for Him to show up, because we can’t pull it off.  Our comfort is that Jesus is the author of this work, that He is the sustainer.  Our job is to trust Him, and be faithful.

 

Maybe our largest reference point for all of this learning was nine years ago when our ministry was instantly homeless.  How helpless we were, no money, no expertise in these kinds of things … what a great position to be in.  Helpless in the hands of a helpful God, who can and will do beyond all we ask or think.  We knew that about Him … we knew he was powerful and able and we talked about Him to the children in the ministry that way … we said “He will make a way where there is no way” and He did!

 

Thanksgiving

 

Which brings me to the first reason we were together that night.  To remember … and to pause and be thankful, for the thousandth or ten thousandth time.  You have to picture that summer with me, in 1999.  The Lord had done this impossible thing by allowing us to purchase this old feed and seed mill, all eight acres of it.  We were still fund-raising that summer, and all we had was a dilapidated property with old rusty warehouses, scores of tipped over grain silos … that looked like a space ship grave yard … 20 ft. mounds of saw dust … and razor wire fencing that had kept out the neighbors for years and years.  During Kids Club we took a day to drive over to our new place.  I told the kids that this would be our new home.  We showed them pictures of what would be … it was hot, probably over 120 on asphalt … that God would make a way … they stepped off the buses slowly with vision pictures in hand … hardly able to look up in case the reality would cause them not to believe.  One boy, I think he had been memorizing the picture, looked up … “I can see it” … “it will be beautiful!”

 

Today we live in beauty.  Miraculous beauty!  How did it happen … one miracle at a time.  Five years ago, after five years of homelessness with ministry parts all over the city, and hundreds of inner-city kids in this church one year, and another church another … we moved on in.  The joy was inexpressible, and as we celebrate, it still is.  This place is indeed, the Miracle on Fillmore.

 

So will you thank the Lord with me, today, one more time for all He has done.  For He made a way where there was no way, He promised to be faithful, to take care of us, and He did.  So, we celebrate, for five years of being here at The Neighborhood Center, our home.  What a celebration!

 

And I want to thank you.  So many of you have crystal clear memories of the hard work of fund-raising, tenacious prayer and living out of boxes and storage units.  Thank you for loving us, loving Jesus and being on the adventure together.

 

The Future

Now for the second reason we gathered together that night.  The “Road Map” led to that night.  Seeking God, hearing from our neighbors, hearing from each other … we began to picture the future of The Neighborhood Center. 

What was breaking the heart of God for our poor communities … how were the poor crying out for His response … where were our dear neighbors and friends in trouble?

 

·        Jobs

·        Men – these invisible potential heads of households

·        Income engines to fund the mission

·        After school programs for youth, a needed recreation center, a thrift store, an art center, a larger gathering place for our church and this community, a place for micro-businesses to be launched …

·        All the things we touched and felt on the vision tours

 

We were so excited to tell others about it.  It won’t all come overnight; in fact this is just the beginning of the next push, the next season in our work. 

This was just the inaugural gathering.  It was the chance to tell many people what is happening next at The Neighborhood Center.

In great vulnerability, we are stepping out in faith, not unlike the last time.  Expecting to be surprised by the ways in which the Lord shows up, and develops this Center.

For 25 years we have been convicted and convinced that our Lord’s heart is for the poor.  There are three thousand verses in the Bible that teach us this.  There is one however that for us best describes the next few years of developing the center.  It is:

 

Isaiah 58:12 – “You will be called …. Repairers of broken walls and restorers of streets where people live”

 

In the future, when Phoenicians drive by 19^th ave and Van Buren and see these new buildings with their new renovations and the bustling, 24/7 operation here … what will they ask about this now very visible place?  We hope someone knows the answer and says something like … I think it’s something about Jesus and the poor and hope and opportunities … and the reputation … We hope it goes something like Isa. 58:12

 

The video –

And that night we broke out our new video, “Transformed People”.  Take a look or call our office to get a copy.

 

NM Video page:

 http://www.nmaz.net/media/video.htm

 

Direct download links:

 http://www.nmaz.net/media/video/nmvideo20061028final256kbps.wmv

 http://www.nmaz.net/media/video/nmvideo20061028final256kbps.mov

Note:  These files above are reduced in quality to approximately 30mb size for internet downloading.

Copies of the official DVD version are available through the NM office.