City-reaching for Christ
Greg and I had a great conversation the other day. We talked about city-reaching, a great passion that both of us share. Many years ago we were both instrumental in helping cast vision for city-reaching with ministries leaders in our home town. We watched as the Lord did some great things in our midst.
For a season, the Lord opened up a window of opportunity for many people to come together on common ground, collaborate, and build coalition forces for advancing the Kingdom of God.
For about five years, city-reaching became a reality. God was empowering his Church with the hope of unity of purpose. Area-wide events and activities rallied thousands for the cause of Christ. Crusades brought ministry leaders together, and many people found Christ. Ecumenical gatherings strengthened. New ministries were birthed. We all had hoped that the “brush fires” of revival would soon catch our whole city ablaze. And then, things changed. Circumstances began scattering ministry leaders to the wind. Some moved; others retired. A lack of resources caused some to leave the ministry and return to secular employment. The attendance at ecumenical gatherings slowly began to wane and so did city-reaching plans. No one truly knows what happened. Was God shutting it down? Was the enemy destroying our efforts? Or was it our lack of faith and commitment to working together as the Body of Christ? Only God knows. But even though the activities and events died, the hope for city-reaching lived on in our hearts. There are still those of us who never gave up hope. When Greg talks about his hope for city-reaching, I feel the fire begin to burn in my heart. He recently met with a new group of youth ministers whose passion for city-reaching is beginning to take shape. They have worked through their denominational difference and are now working together. They are unhampered by competition and “sheep stealing.” They are only interested in seeing lives transformed by the power of Christ. As Greg shared this with me, his eyes glistened with hope. He shared with these ministers how to stay “connected” using our software. They were excited. Could it be that the Lord will once again rally us together and breathe life into our midst?
We stand ready to meet the challenge
