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2013 summer interns make mark on CEF® urban ministries
Summer can be a great time off for travel and hanging out with friends before returning to school for most college students. CEF Durham enjoyed a dozen college interns with The City Project via the Summit Church this summer as in the past. What did they do? Travel and hang out with friends. While doing so, these 12 students touched the lives of city kids within various neighborhoods of Hillsborough and Durham. The Gospel was the centerpiece for everything attempted and accomplished by these student-interns who allowed John Blake to disciple them for Christian living and inner city ministry. Bible clubs, teen leadership classes, setting up a computer
Gateway Apts in Hillsborough July 3, 2013
lab/library, sports, and other community development tasks were led by these interns. Whether rain or shine, this dynamic dozen were daily dedicated to the Gospel and the city kids they ministered to, like these (below) at the Gateway Apts in Hillsborough.
This was a block party/celebration on their last day with these kids. They stuck it out through rain, lightning, and high winds. Despite being soaked, they never lost their smiles and the party continued after the storm. Over a dozen kids accepted the Lord as Savior. These students also traveled and hung out together in New York City and cities in 5 other regions of the world.
CEF disciples city kids… sponsor-a-kid (video)
Let’s send 1,000 kids to camps and provide them year-round biblical discipleship in 2013!
City Kids at a camp/discipleship = 300
To support this effort and for those interested in helping city kids — sponsor one or more youth at $100/kid. All contributions, of any amount for the SCK Project, will go towards sponsoring city kids for camp and year-round discipleship in 2013. Your contribution can be received online at CEF donations or by mail to CEF Durham PO Box 1288 Durham 27702.
“Help keep city kids on our courts and out of the criminal courts.”
Sometimes working with kids is hard. One or two kids in a group can be
difficult to deal with. Some days you find ALL the kids in a group have
caught a contagion of “bad attitude”. Now that’s when you have to rely
on the patience and persistence that only comes from the Holy Spirit!
When the challenges come, I often remind myself “this is why I’m here”,
to demonstrate love in the face of apathy, to show persistence through a
time of negativity, to show that I care even when someone else does not.
There are, however, two greater reasons to cling to hope, and be
persistent in the work. One of these reasons applies to everyone’s work
and life, not just the Gospel worker.
Reason #1
First, we have the assurance that God’s Word will achieve its purposes.
God declares that just as the rain comes down and achieves its purpose
of nourishing the land, before returning to the heavens, “so is my word
that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will
accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
(Isaiah 55:11)
Earlier in Isaiah 55, God exhorts us to turn to Him, and know that He is
mighty, that our thoughts and plans pale in comparison to His thoughts.
We can be confident that the Gospel will achieve the purposes God
intends for it, even though we may not see the results we would like.
Lately I’m learning that we must often be content with knowing that in
spite of our imperfect attempts to reveal Christ, we are planting seeds
that may not flourish for some time. We can be confident that as the
Word goes out in our ministry, God will be using it to achieve His
plans, to further His purposes, even when we do not see it or realize
it. We stand on the truth that “the gospel … is the power of God that
brings salvation to everyone who believes”. (Romans 1:16)
Reason #2
The second reason to cling to hope in the midst of trouble is that God
is absolutely sovereign. This of course is a matter of faith, as we
trust that God is ruler over all, the supreme king (1 Timothy 6:15),
whose plans are good and will not be thwarted, in spite of our
perception of evil and trouble in the world. God rules over the nations
(Psalm 22:28), the host of heaven and all those on earth (Daniel 4:35).
We should be comforted that the power and love of the Almighty God will
rule over all evil and trouble in the way He has ordained. No matter
what your line of work, you can trust that God is in control even in the
tough times, even in the storm (Mark 4:35-40)
Dr. David Johnson
… the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. (Mark 4:27)
Coach Larry Parrish to be honored with a reunion of past players and coaches 
Mar. 17th will be a special day of competition, fund raising, and reunion for many interested in sponsoring city kids from Durham to attend sports camps this summer. Golf in the morning, watching NCAA basketball tournament games in the afternoon, and a roast of Coach Larry Parrish in the evening are events being planned towards sponsoring 1,000 city kids. Coach Parrish, who coached at Jordan, Southern, and Riverside High Schools in Durham, has mentored and made a positive mark on hundreds of athletes, coaches and many youth for over 30 years. He started Prep Stars Invitational Basketball Camps and the Junior Prep Stars Basketball School as well as had an impact on the development of CEF More Than Gold sports camps. To support CEF efforts of sponsoring a thousand city kids for sports camps, all former players, campers, and those touched by the coaching and life of Larry Parrish are being asked to sponsor one or more children at $100/kid. All are welcomed to attend the events planned for Mar. 17th. Early sponsoring of camp scholarships can be contributed online at CEF donations
“City Project” summer interns help CEF and others
Traditionally, our summer missions team would have just returned from Christian Youth in Action® training and have begun 6-8 weeks of 5-Day Club® ministry at random sites across the Durham area. Urban workers from around the country would have already departed Durham surviving another urban boot camp. However, this summer a very strategic decision was made to focus on what God has put before us rather than for us to add to the plate He gave us.
What does this mean? It means, that CEF and its friends, who minister in Durham, are committed to all necessary strategies and tactics available to us for kingdom building. It means, our yearly calendar and schedules may not match God’s, so what should we do?
God’s Calendar for us in Durham
During the early summer God scheduled CEF staff and ministers to continue its work in 10 under-resourced communities of Durham where the indigenous are being discipled to lead the outreach. There are so many wonderful things happening through these efforts that, unfortunately, there is not enough space here to describe. God allowed me to recruit and engage others from Durham to attend the Duke Summer Institute where we grappled with current and historical issues in Durham as well as navigating a course of biblical reconciliation for our city. The PrayDurham initiative has taken me to the State Capitol in Raleigh, NC to meet with the NC Call to Prayer caucus. I will be meeting with leaders of PrayNewark in their city during early July to learn how they mobilized their city to pray through a street adoption strategy as we are doing in Durham.
We’re enjoying breakthrough with several projects
God has also placed before us eight intelligent and committed interns from The City Project, a Campus Outreach effort of the Summit Church in Durham. They serve on 4 teams focused on 4 projects, which CEF, BlessDurham, and World Relief are engaging. They are helping us break new ground in ministry by (1) revamping our sports outreach—setting up camps and clinics for this summer thru next spring 2012, (2) reformatting and building our data bases for the blessdurham.org web site, which will impact PrayDurham and connecting the churches/ministries of Durham, (3) are doing research and development of a business plan for operating food and ice cream trucks for ministry to inner city communities and to refuges, and (4) joining the Butteflz team (Bible club/tutoring) to teach and administrate its summer programs. All have provided needed breakthrough this summer, which will propel us into 2012 on a solid foundation for sustainable ministry.
The traditional mission of CEF in the Durham area continues in mid-July and August with club ministry, sports camps, community block parties, and teachers being trained. What a great summer not being bullied by my own calendar and agenda.
Quickly, most kids embrace those who teach, play, and care for them. It’s been my experience that too many city kids too quickly embrace strangers just because they are present in their community and doing something fun or of value with them. Our local CEF chapter made strategic changes in the way we mentor/disciple youth because of this reality. Please contact me about this very significant topic, if interested.
Influence with city kids
Thinking about such a strong social connection and potential influence with city kids… What stops our influence with kids? We’ve known for a long time that reaching children for Christ as early as possible has the greatest impact on their social, mental, and spiritual development (present and future). We know that if a child spends even one hour/week with a caring adult, outside of school and home, there will be a significant benefit to their development. But at what point does one or more hours per week with that child lose its impact? How strong is your influence with kids?
How much influence do we really have?
Last month a friend’s death caused me to ask this same question. He had an extremely caring grandmother in whose home he stayed. He had close friends who cared and hung with him most of the time. His death also revealed that he was influenced by some outside his circle of friends.
He was taught about Christ and discipled at his church and at a Christian after school program in his community. He participated in evangelistic outreach events with CEF. Those outside his church and home were usually with him 8-15 hours each week until a couple of years ago. Even so, how much influence is enough?
Friends of Delvonte, like Pastor Dub, Pam, Corey, and from CEF – Paula, Carla, Bianca, Syelwin, David, Sean, and me mourn his death, celebrate his salvation, and wish our influence had been stronger. It’s understandable to feel this way for those you love, but more importantly, how much influence does faith, God, and the Word of God specifically have in the lives of our young friends? And more generally, how influential is the local church upon youth today?
Staggering survey: How much are youth influenced by church?
I’ve said many times, city kids actually crave and deserve to be told the truth, to feel the love, and experience the proof that God is real and active in the world as well as in their lives. The following survey is confirmation of this statement and a staggering reality check. For pastors, parents, and the many friends of children and youth… you’ve got to read this survey. For the sake of your family, church kids, and the Delvontes in our communities… we’ve got to make strategic changes to the value we place on teaching children the Bible and how we influence their lives.
While earlier surveys have shown that Christian students tend to quit church during their college years, the data collected by American’s Research Group cited in Survey: Churches Losing Youth Long Before College found that most of them were already gone in middle school and high school. “They’re sitting in our churches right now … and they’re already gone…” Ken Ham said.
At an awkward conclusion, let me say, a majority of youth (as well as adults) lack a network of godly friends who affirm… it always comes back to belonging, relationships. Loneliness within the heart of a young person produces a hopeless attitude, compulsiveness to fill the emptiness, and a craving for anything that brings him attention and recognition.
Lesson for the church, you, and me
What if we, who have influence with city kids, simply developed those relationships based on authentic, biblical truth, love, and proof from our mutual lives? Isn’t that what we are called to do?
In response to many who have asked, I have an answer for teachers searching for a classroom format that always works with city kids. It’s shorter and simpler. Plus, it’s loaded with sensitivity – keeping diverse learning needs of city kids in mind.
It’s not dat Good News Club® that you’ve taught, but dis club I’m talking about. D.I.S. clubs encourage mosaic learning and cylindrical instruction. Understanding and implementing the D.I.S. club format into your classroom requires minimal adjustments, but produces huge benefits. “D.I.S.” reminds the teacher to: “do it shortly, do it simply, and do it with sensitivity.”
The mind-set of D.I.S. clubs and it’s methods are easily factored into any outreach ministry venue. The D.I.S. club principles enable the teacher to leverage flexibility and simplicity to make effective adjustments in the classroom for the sake of city kids and within the context where you are teaching. Want to know more? See a D.I.S. club presentation, instructor and student notes at CEF Durham/downloads.
I would really appreciate your reaction to these ideas, which were developed to infuse learning retention while keeping Bible lessons and classroom activities simple and short.
Are you tired of the talk and despair about city kids and their communities? Violence, drugs, loneliness, divorce — you know the list. Have you heard it all, done it all, seen it all, and you still wonder, “Am I even making a difference at all?” Does this sound familiar?
You’ve made a serious commitment to do whatever it takes to make a difference in the lives of kids today. You are visiting kids on their turf, tutoring, and teaching. You even try to be a mentor. How are you doing? Any frustrations… failures or victories?
We all agree — we have cried, talked, and complained for far too long. Finally, many Christian workers are saying, “Enough is enough, today’s kids are in pain!” They scream for answers and assurance that what they do will make a difference.
Sometimes it seems like “that” other program or the staff from “that” ministry are the ones really making a difference. I know… it’s tough. But Jesus gave us an example to follow so we can make that difference. 1 Peter 2:21 says: “For Christ also suffered on our behalf, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His steps.”
Suffering: The correct strategic plan?
Several men whom I respect say, a real leader is one who enters into the suffering and pain of society. This type of leader takes on the burdens of those where he ministers. What was Jesus’ ministry strategy? He intentionally went through Samaria and other cities. Jesus hung out and reached out to sinners. Jesus supplied spiritual and physical needs from the least to the greatest. Jesus had only a few disciples but His kingdom endures forever.
Do you want to minister like that? There is a refreshing movement that blows through the urban streets of America today. It’s a ministry life-style, which simply enables you to live with and to be enriched by the indigenous people where you minister. Are you engaging this movement?
Make a Comment
If you work with city kids and have a great idea or a major challenge, please share it by making a comment or offering a question. Provide a ministry name and link of those making a difference in your city.
The urban missions BREAKOUT! (boot camp) will allow you to develop your heart for the people of urban America; move beyond missions trip rhetoric with diverse practical ideas; build bridges to urban communities with the Gospel; grow spiritually and worship together; create and daily adjust your mission team’s plan as you work in one community from 4-8 PM each day Monday-Friday; embrace your fears; and use your talents/interest as you minister.
Connect with Breakout! missions this Summer
together at a “Blacktop Games” events during the early Spring.
Registration DEADLINE is May 1st
Additional information about CEF, the Urban Center of Light, and Breakout! can be found at the following sites: CEF Durham and Facebook. Contact by mail at CEF Durham 801 Gilbert St. Suite #101 Durham, NC 27701
City kids, who respond to the Gospel: The Message of Salvation, usually have little biblical foundation. Consequently many need to have the truths of the Gospel reiterated to help bring about real spiritual change in their lives and to help them relate to God in a personal way. City kids must hear the truth over and over for establishing this foundation.
A Different Strategy
So, how do we present the Gospel to city kids? Several years ago the Lord gave us something thousands in our area know as the 7 Most Important Things in the World—a list of seven simple phrases that all children need to know and can understand.
Knowing the value of repetition, the 7 Most Important Things in the World (or 7MIT) are taught to every child, four years old and up. Teachers give progressive instruction and drill their students on the 7MIT every class session, similar to learning a mini catechism. Every child is expected to master the list and their truths.
An Urban Appeal
The 7MIT are simple, easy to learn, yet profound. They become the central and foundational points of reference for all teaching. We have developed a song to go with this list and the kids love it! They always want to sing it more than once.
As city kids respond to the Gospel during counseling I hear them answer questions based on the 7MIT. Why is Jesus the only way to Heaven? They answer, “Because of numbers 2, 4, and 5, Jesus never sinned, Jesus died for me and Now Jesus lives!” The 7MIT is shouted in unison, sung with body movements, recited during game time, prayed and remembered in kids’ testimonies. Whether in the classroom or on the street a spiritual foundation is continuously being built.
Results are Real
Fridays are usually busy for me with last minute preparations. Lesson visuals, props for object lessons, and game supplies must be ready for the next day. One particular Friday I needed to make a quick run to the store for prizes. Unfortunately it turned out not to be quick.
It would not have been a problem, but Friday is the day I visit all the kids in my district who attend the Saturday event. I began to think this was not going to work. Maybe the kids would understand if I did not show up. I was going to be late and not have time to visit everyone anyway. But I had made a promise to God and to the kids that I would visit every week.
I finally got out of the store, got into my car, picked up my student assistant, and rushed over to the inner city neighborhood. I explained the situation to him and we prayed for God to connect us with every child regardless of our situation. We had our promotional flyers in hand and darted out of the car. Because time was short, we agreed to divide up the list of kids and go in different directions.
Both of us had to maneuver around a large area, which had been barricaded by yellow crime scene tape, to get to the sixty apartment buildings in that neighborhood. Over a dozen police officers were present asking questions and showing a display of force. I began to wonder, if we would be able to visit even one child that day. However, with the excitement all the residents were outside.
We quickly began to ask people what happened as we handed them a flyer. Many were concerned for their kids. Others were angry and used profanity at the police. The kids told us that men were fighting in the street and one got stabbed to death. My heart was once again saddened that these children accepted such things as normal events. I mistakenly thought, “What good are we really doing? Did it matter to anyone?”
Immediately I got the answer to my question as I heard Mustafa and Quanisha scream, “Hey Mr. John!” I went over to talk with them and their mother.
After giving them and other kids a flyer I made sure they knew when to be ready for bus pick up the next morning. Everyone wanted to talk about the stabbing so I tried to listen knowing that I had to keep moving. As soon as there was a break in the chatter I asked if anyone had learned all the 7 Most Important Things in the World?
Mustafa spoke up saying, “I know them.” He rattled off each one in perfect order with no breaks or stumbles. Wow! That was amazing I said.
I asked Mustafa to explain the meaning of what he just quoted. He simply stated “Jesus is the One who saves us from our sins.” I asked him if he really believed that and he said yes. The loss of time and knowing that there were many other buildings to visit did not matter now. It mattered to 8 year-old Mustafa that we visited him.
I had the awesome privilege to hear Mustafa ask Jesus to be his very own Savior. We had only a short time to talk, but the weekly teaching of the 7MIT and the commitment he and his sister had to memorize them allowed both to hear the Word of God over and over before I visited that special day. Mustafa and his sister still live in the same crime-ridden neighborhood. We still visit. Now others are joining this movement to biblically resource Mustafa’s community and nine others in Durham. 7MIT resources are free and available at CEF Durham (near bottom of page).
John Blake shares his "Heart for City Kids" 