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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.”
Keith & Lorna Daniel, Camryn & Ernest Smith, and KJ Hill with John Blake (not pictured) downloading experiences in Atlanta and relating them to community development in Durham.
A group of Durhamites journey today to Atlanta seeking clarity around what wrestles within them for the sake of the Kingdom. We are listening to a rousing talk given by Tom Skinner at the Urbana ’70 Student Mission Convention challenging the … Read and Listen
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
Goals for kingdom building in under-resourced communities of Durham progress
We continued our work this summer in select under-resourced communities of Durham via 5-Day Clubs, tutoring, camps, and one-off neighborhood events. Through the efforts of local and out-of-state mission teams much kingdom building was accomplished as youth and adults served and taught in 7 of 10 target communities. Children and many of their families heard and saw the Gospel in action. McDougald Terrace, one of the target communities, which was not included above in the “7” is very close to the heart of CEF and one of its staff members, Dr. David Johnson.
Dr. David Johnson
These are David’s words recently shared with his church, Christ the King Moravian.
“Even before our Faith in Action project at Burton Elementary, I have felt God’s ‘nudging’ about getting involved with an ongoing ministry to kids in that area. The huge McDougald Terrace apartment area was the target for several outreach events over recent years [also this summer], and I really enjoyed being involved there. God has placed a real desire in my heart for an ongoing Good News Club® (GNC) for kids, and other ministries for youth and adults.
I’ve met several people with a desire to minister in this community. Some of these people wish to target adults and youth, and we do need more people committed to serve kids. However, I think there is a clear path now for starting to lay the foundations for a [sustainable] GNC for kids. This will involve exploring options for a meeting place, developing relationships by attending Residence Council meetings, and assembling a team of people with a commitment for serving weekly for at least a year…
Somehow I have both a spiritual sense that the time is close for this project, and a worldly sense that the details are starting to come together. Please pray that we would have success in arranging a GNC meeting site, and that the team would be formed soon!”
God has many people in this city
Harley, Blake, and Lopez team up for holistic discipleship at Hoover Rd Apts in Durham
Even with strong reports of ministry in these communities there are still ongoing challenges of poverty, orphan mindsets, and weak indigenous leadership where CEF ministers. However, several Durham communities have seen their resident leaders push against such challenges. CEF will feature some of these leaders from communities where God is blessing ministry efforts during a special dinner event on Sat. Oct. 1, 2011. Lou Brogden, Michael Harley, Christina Rice, and Sandy Underwood are a few of these leaders who will speak about the 10 Challenge and what is making a difference in the lives of kids, their families and their communities.
“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.
There is much “abuzz” since recent events and visits to Durham by Tim Keller, John Perkins, and President Obama. Each proclaimed Durham as a progressive and gifted city. Participants at the National Day of Prayer, Evening with Tim Keller, and the Duke Summer Institute contemplated the challenge of reaching a city for the common good and specifically how to express the Kingdom of God within every sphere of life in Durham. What would that look like? Who must be involved?
- D.L. Moody stated over 150 years ago, “Water runs downhill, and the highest hills are the great cities. If we can stir them, we shall stir the whole country.”
- Tim Keller lays out 10 key points necessary to reach a city, which includes involving diverse segments of the greater Body of Christ working towards the same goals for evangelism, prayer, collaboration, and fellowship.
- Jonathan Dodson discusses 3 ways to renew a city by dwelling in the city as a redemptive community: make good culture (contribute to your city within your neighborhood), redeem social ill (embrace our community), and share a whole gospel (We need to be thousands of tiny threads that strengthen and beautify our city domains.
Instead of sucking life out of the city, the church gives life to the city in the social sector. It has a socially renewing presence. How is this done? Here is a current example of how this is happening in one neighborhood, which is making an impact on the city of Durham. The role of an indigenous neighborhood to impact a city flows through its experience of following biblical models of community development.
Welcome a Mindset Change
After making a move to Carver Pond Apts in North Durham to help her mother, Sandra Underwood was robbed, assaulted, and saw kids in the neighborhood committing crimes in the open. Her first reaction was “…what have I gotten myself in to? I’m gettin’ out…” But, with some encouragement, Ms. Underwood made a major faith decision to stay and help the kids who live at Carver Pond Apts despite the risks and hardships.
Her decision was indicative of her changing mindset about God and herself. Her decision was not typical. Most residents would have fled the neighborhood or stayed and returned evil for evil.
Embrace Community Activism
Her friend, Wendy Clark, immediately connected her with CEF Durham for help. After the Director, John Blake, made a few phone calls and shared his vision for reaching city kids in under-resourced communities, Ms. Underwood had a plan along with an initial ministry team. Within 2 short weeks the Butterflz after school program began with community interest, yet had only 5 kids attending.
Sandra Underwood and kids at Butterflz after school program enjoy hugs!
However, it did not take long for the value of Butterflz to increase. Currently, 23 children are enrolled and regrettably the staff must turn kids away every week due to the lack of space and adult volunteers. Kids at Carver Pond must be accepted into the academic and Bible club program, which meets weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Retired teacher, Lou Brogden, works diligently alongside Ms. Underwood to run the Butterflz weekly club. Other residents of the neighborhood have begun to help as their eyes have opened to their needs and realized the assets within the community to meet them. Today, these neighbors are engaged in a collaborative effort of meeting some of the needs as they join their assets with others for the sake of their kids.
Celebrate Breakthrough and Small Victories
Recently, the Carver Pond management agreed to create more space for the club. Underwood and Brogden are rejoicing! They received this great news only a week after holding a successful fund raising talent show featuring the Butterflz kids. Their hard work and fund raising will allow the group to enjoy a field trip this summer and purchase supplies for the Butterflz after school program.
Here is tangible evidence of a community with great needs beginning to turn around because neighbors indigenous to the neighborhood have engaged a shared problem. Here is where the concerned friends of these neighbors came alongside and are collaboratively bearing the neighborhood’s burdens. Here is one example of how a neighborhood can inspire and give hope to its own city.
Press Through Constant Challenges
Over the summer months a major clean up and reorganization job will be conducted in the old Carver Pond community building. This free-standing building will more than triple the space currently used for the Butterflz program, but more volunteers and support are still needed to complete the project and meet the staffing demands for the Tuesday-Thursday program.
The program continues as the management and Butterflz staff press through these challenges. As the city takes notice, its citizens are getting involved with the Carver Pond Butterflz project. Everyone learns how to press through this challenge, which will prepare them for the next challenge − which will come.
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?
A call for unselfish collaboration within the regional Church
This 4-part article has the essence of the following statements:
The citizens of our city like others have nurtured division and isolation, which resemble the words of the late Sen. Bobby Kennedy, “…men with whom we share a city, but not a community. Men bound to us in common dwelling, but not in a common effort…”
Yet, I will state, recently I’ve seen ordinary people doing extraordinary things empowered by Almighty God… reconciliation and biblical transformation is happening when ordinary people (called the Church or Body) work together in collaboration with each other and God.
There is lament, a plea, and hope for contemporary renewal — radical, but authentic faith within the Church as I state in part 3 and 4:
I see emerging a generation and community who thrives on social relationships and longs for authentic experiences with God… What if, as Jesus prayed, we ministered together as a unified Church — poor with affluent, mega with storefront, older believers with younger… ?
These are the ordinary people doing extraordinary things who are also saying, Enough is enough! Stop the bleeding. “Stop dividing the Body… severing its limbs and discarding some of its body parts…”
Final edition: Part 4 with entire article for your convenience
Don’t you hate it when a good working relationship with someone falls apart? It seemed so right and possessed so much potential. There were extraordinary moments of success. You may have experienced an extremely difficult time when you supported each other. There was a unique bond. However, life’s circumstances or a mindset change divided you and destroyed what could have been.
Part 1 – A Current Reflection
Now at 56, I’m often reminded of significant relationships that were cut short. I also think of current friendships that have enormous potential for doing great things together. I ask myself, How did I fail in the past? What could I have done differently? How can I foster sustainable relationships today? I believe these are some of the same questions the Church should be asking itself today on its mission.
Some of the answers or at least a few thoughts to get the discussion started can be found in the words of a current friend, Chris Rice, “A divided world needs people with vision, spiritual maturity and daily skills integral to reconciliation. The church needs fresh resources – a mix of biblical vision, skills in social and historical analysis, and practical gifts of spirituality and social leadership – in order to pursue reconciliation in real places, from congregations to communities.”
People and reconciliation are key words in Chris Rice’s statement. But no person, organization, or church congregation is equipped to supply the needed resources described. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things empowered by Almighty God. Thus, reconciliation and biblical transformation happens when ordinary people work together in collaboration with each other and God. Even if our friends say it in different ways, the essence of these words is what everyone wants to see happen in our city… people working together to solve our mutual problems.
Part 2 – A Past Reality
Unfortunately, history of the Church and our society reveals a different story. Sen. Bobby Kennedy eloquently stated this reality about people, relationships, and violence in America during a 1968 speech only a few weeks before his assassination:
“…We learn at the last to look at our brothers as alien. Alien men with whom we share a city, but not a community. Men bound to us in common dwelling, but not in a common effort. We learn to share only a common fear, only a common desire to retreat from each other, only a common impulse to meet disagreement with force. Our lives on this planet are too short, the work to be done too great… to let this spirit flourish any longer in this land of ours…”
I agree with Kennedy and others who lament over the relational abandonment of our society. Bluntly, it means divided, separate, or indifferent we will fall, but the Gospel gives hope that together we can stand. What would it look like… what blessing awaits the Church if it were to live together in unity (Psalm 133) and functions as each part does its work (Ephesians 4:16)?
As another friend and author, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, recently quoted a 9th century Benedictine monk, “We must always be on the lookout for Christ’s twofold coming, the one when he comes day after day to stir our consciences, and the other when we shall have to give an account of everything we have done. He comes to us now in order that his future coming may find us prepared.” Will the Church, which includes every Christian and every congregation, heed these reminders and follow the countless examples of what it means to live and minister in a divided world? Yes, we must remember the reality of our past if we’re to progress going forward. Where do I see this happening?
I see emerging a generation and community who thrives on social relationships and longs for authentic experiences with God. This is an expanding population of radical and revolutionary Christians willing to live and minister in this simple way — as Jesus taught and modeled. A correction has begun in their hearts and a plea for action is upon many of their lips. Will this restoration impact the Church? Will their cry be heard in our city?
Part 3 – A Future Restoration
Therefore, It’s because of this reality and our history that I’ve asked the Church a series of questions over the past two years: What if the Church at Durham took seriously its responsibility for taking the Gospel to city kids and their families? What if for 10 years a collaboration of churches and ministries comprehensively served the most physically and spiritually needy or under-resourced communities in Durham?
And by the way, these are the communities with no voice − where crime and evil have dominated life for way too long − where kids are not expected to succeed and adults are viewed with little value in solving its own problems.
What if peculiar doctrines of Scripture and Christian service in the community no long brought name-recognition or spiritual arrogance? What if the Church set aside its differences and used its diverse strengths for compassionate and intelligent ministry to our city? What if, as Jesus prayed, we ministered together as a unified Church — poor with affluent, mega with storefront, older believers with younger, etc? These questions scream out for answers from each person as well as from the congregations that make up the regional Church at Durham.
Part 4 – A Lament, Plea, and Hope
Durham needs those willing to enter the pain and suffering of its people… those with a vision, which has been turned into a passion of service unto the Lord. These are the ordinary people doing extraordinary things who are also saying, Enough is enough! Stop the bleeding. Chris Heuertz stated in a 2010 sermon while in Durham, “Stop dividing the Body… severing its limbs and discarding some of its body parts as if they were insignificant or unimportant.”
A Lament for the Church
Oh Lord the bleeding has gone on for way too long.
I repent of my disobedience and contributing to the
lack of unity within the Body. Forgive me oh God!
Your arm is not short nor weak to fulfill Your prayer
that we will be one as You and Your Father are One.
Oh Lord, so many do not believe in You because they
see the Church divided and separated from humanity.
Oh Lord, cleanse us of this great sin. Bring us together.
Create in us a pure heart and unify our actions oh Lord that we may join You in the work we are called to do. Bring glory to Yourself as we glorify You in our unified expressions of the Gospel: justice, mercy, and humility.
A Plea for Action
Lamentation, restlessness, and a plea for action from the Church typically expresses radical Christians. We have an authentic faith, but need a developing community to facilitate authentic or biblical expressions of the Gospel. In possessing the greatest truth, we must show the greatest love, the heart of Christ, to accurately express the Gospel in words and deeds. This is the greatest proof, which the Church and our city needs. The proof that God really did …so love the world… that God’s plans are …not to harm you, but plans to give you hope and a future. Our city will clearly understand this when it sees the Church believing, loving, and working together collaboratively with Christ-centered unity as it engages the culture of our city. This is the proof Durham needs to welcome Christ as God of our city.
Community-based kingdom building and collaborative ministry were clear in the New Testament where 39 of 40 explicit powers of the Holy Spirit were displayed in local communities. All but 2-3 miracles of Christ were done in the community marketplace where people lived… not in worship gatherings or meetings. The proof of God through the Church is expressed in communities.
This proof is diminished if the Church is divided and segregated into non-collaborative congregations. However, the Church is strongest and biblical when it collaboratively builds Christian community within local communities of our city. There are several local initiatives gaining traction which show the greatest proof in Durham.
A Present Hope
When times are tough and a biblical response is needed, the Bible says, “…but the people who do know their God shall be strong, and do great exploits.” Daniel 11:32 Hope is present in Durham. God’s people are initiating and sustaining many Gospel-centered efforts. Here are some examples of the most collaborative initiatives building Christian community and hope in our city.
Pray for Durham is an initiative to have every street prayed over everyday by hundreds of concerned Christians for spiritual air supremacy over the city. Durham Ministers in Prayer and Transformation Durham are meeting weekly and focus their prayer on Durham and not personal needs. CEF, Reality Ministries, Urban Hope, and the Youth Life Foundation are working with children and youth in schools and neighborhoods daily. Bull City Outreach ministers to the homeless and hungry; Frontlinez Ministries holds monthly block parties; and JusticeMatters, a Christian non-profit, provides pro-bono legal services to those living within the same communities where the above ministries serve.
In addition, ABCD is an emerging group of intermediary Christian community developers, which empowers community assets while providing a supportive learning environment, resources, and tools to those who transform communities. The last two examples of hope are using a web-based approach to uniquely connect the regional Church and the city to each other and opportunities to serve its fellow-man. DurhamCares is helping our city love its neighbors and engage in serving each other, building relationships across cultural boundaries, and transforming our community through committed involvement. Bless Durham exists to be a communication hub for the Body of Christ and bless Durham through the strategic coordination of efforts and relationships within our community.
Many of these church, marketplace, and non-profit ministers are part of an urban network, which meets regularly to seek diverse ways of collaboration in ministry and share its resources for the development of Christian communities in Durham over the next 10 years. The Church working together will stand… develop many initiatives like these, and do even greater exploits.
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.
John Blake shares his "Heart for City Kids" 