When I get a view of something, I get a VIEW! Several years ago my wife Susan surprised me on my birthday with a parachute jump at 10,000 feet. She knows I enjoy some risk in my life. There is something about going out on the limb, jumping and accelerating at 120 mph, screaming while strapped to the man who had my lifeline, that just can't be described in words. When he pulled the cord and we started to glide down towards the earth, the view was incredible.
Inner city ministry is often like going 120 mph, screaming all the way. Sometimes you feel you're just hanging on--like when a 14-year-old gets pregnant and you walk with her through the consequences of her actions, fears of the future and the realities of being a teen mom. Other times it's a young man who used to wrestle with you in your living room who's been tried and sent to prison for murder. Or it can be a teen activity where a gang fight breaks out and you get hit in the jaw, then walk the streets at 2:00am looking for the guys who were involved so you can tell them this isn't what World Impact is all about. Or, you bury a friend who was caught up in drugs. Or your heart aches for a child who is unloved and neglected. It's a fast ride and you want to scream as you go.
But there are other times when you are gliding through the city enjoying the incredible view of what God is doing in the lives of those who have responded to the good news of salvation in Jesus. I watched Benny go from being an angry and abusive young gang member in prison, to graduation from our discipleship ranch in Kansas, finishing up his internship with us, and reaching out to young boys from the same streets where he grew up. And what a beautiful view of many Southeast Asian teens from Buddhist families committing their lives to be obedient followers of Christ. And there is the precious sight of children's faces who come weekly to our Bible Clubs to be loved and hear the stories of Jesus.
Like my parachute experience, ministry in the city takes a partnership. The Holy Spirit is our lifeline. You and I can make this exciting journey as we join together, and through the power of the risen Christ, see the beauty of lives changed for eternity in the forgotten neighborhoods of our city.
The Apostle John saw a view which he recorded in Revelation 21:3-4: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They are His people; He is their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good--tears gone, crying gone, pain gone--all the first order of things gone. Look! I am making everything new." (The Message).
Bob Engel,
Vice President,
Northwest Region