I am going to write a series on each community we are in and the challenges we face in each ministry. I will focus on five communities. If you have any suggestions, ideas, encouragement please feel free to leave a comment on the blog or e-mail me at scotty@missionraleigh.org

Cedar Point– The Great Commission Community

We have been working in Cedar Point for 15 of the 16 years that Mission Raleigh has existed. We have seen so many changes there over the years. It has gone from a community that would not allow us on property to a community that supplies us with a FREE community center. We have seen God do some amazing things there over the years. It began as community that was majority English speaking to one that was a majority Spanish speaking, and is now a community that does not have a majority language and houses at least 7 different languages. I guess that God was worried that I would get bored so he gave me this challenge to reach a type of community that I have never experienced in 16 years of ministry!

One challenge for me is that I coordinate several ministries to reach the different people groups that live at Cedar Point. To say it nicely, that is way outside my comfort zone. Ask anyone who has worked with me, I am a strong willed leader who works off a vision and lays out how I expect things done. (Some will confirm that with a smile and others with a scowl.) So I am growing in this area.

One thing that I am having a hard time with is that I work with a couple agencies that only work with the refugees. (Trust me I am not talking behind anyone’s back. You may not know this about me but I am pretty good about communicating concerns clearly.) I have a hard time with having ESL only for refugees, while there is a need for Hispanics to learn ESL too. It’s not like I have people lined up at my office door willing to go teach the classes. So I am learning to work with the resources that Christ has provided. There are some Southeastern Seminary students coming to do a Bible study with the Bhutanese but I get a “we’re here to practice” vibe. That’s not my favorite vibe, but they have been faithful and hopefully there will be people to carry on the work. I have seen too many seminary students move on with zero concern about leaving a mission point. The focus must be on the people we are reaching and not on ourselves.

It is our intention to know what people group live behind what door by mid June, then start finding ways to build community from there. We would appreciate your prayers.

One thing we have learned in Mission Raleigh is Computers connected to the Internet will attract youth. We have used this for years at Raleigh North, Cedar Point and Bradford Crossings. We tend to have a hang out time where youth can get on the computer and just chill till time for the lesson.

Over the past few years at Raleigh North every computer would be full and we would have to make them change shifts so everyone could have time on the computer. Well yesterday was quite different. While the computer were there and we had several youth using them we had more playing Chess, Don’t Break the Ice, Bop it and interacting and laughing and having an amazing time of fellowship instead of everyone in their own little cyber world. The cool thing about this is we have not planned or even tried to bring on this change. It was all God. I rolled my chair back to William and said
Do you see this?” I was an amazing thing to see happen.

One of my favorite stories in the bible is in 1 Kings; right after Elijah ran from Jezebel like little girl and hid in the mountains God came to speak to him:

And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” — 1 Kings 19:11–13

I have learned over the 15 years that God has allowed me to serve him, that while we look for God in big events we usually find him in the little things. I have been to youth events attended by hundreds of youth but I saw God more clearly around that table with youth laughing and playing than at any of those events.

I write notes on the back of my hands almost daily, it drives my wife crazy. I have tried carrying notepads and electronic organizers but some how my hand ends up with a phone number, and appointment or a name written on it. You see my average day is crazy and my crazy days are well indescribable. When you work in at-risk communities life is a crisis. So I don’t always have time to fish out a notepad, much less try to type something into my Droid phone, so I grab a pin and scribble on the back of my hand. The other positive aspect for my hands to be my notepads is that it leaves the note ever before me. Anyone who has worked with me for 15 minutes will tell you my memory is, well not good. A combination of brain cells killed at Concord College and an ever changing schedule has left me that way. So if I write a note and put in out of my sight it will soon be forgotten. But not on my hand it is constantly in my ADHD line of sight.

I take great comfort that God keeps notes on His hand. The fact that I am engraved on His hand gives me two types of comfort. It is a reminder that I am important to him and that I am ever before him. You see God’s commitment is well beyond that of mine. Because the notes on my hands are written in ink that will eventually fade, but God engraves my name on his hand. A reminder that I have a security in Him that is beyond my understanding.

It’s been close to nine years since we have not had a Missionary living on Property at Cedar Point Apartments. While it is sad, God is still at work. It is transition time for this Glocal (Global + Local) Community. While we are trying to discern how God would have us to impact such a diverse international community, we are still impacting kids through a time to hang out with them on Mondays and a Homework Help on Tuesday. Please join us as we pray that God sends someone called to reach the people of Cedar Point.
It’s also a time of transition for Mission Raleigh. We have the smallest number of Mission Points since our second year. While it is sad God, is still at work. We have seen God work in several waves in Mission Raleigh. As the ministry began it was fully staffed by volunteers, this was the first wave. The second wave was some young people like Rick, Chris and Caroline pouring many hours into the communities. The third wave was more young people like Shanna, Corrinna, Hope, Joni and Hannah coming to work as semester missionaries. The fourth wave, which is ending, was Amy and George on staff with summer interns like of Daniel, Christianne, Matthew, Josh and others. Now we anxiously wait to see what God has in store for the next wave. No doubt he has a plan for Mission Raleigh and we are excited to be a part or it.

Hang time with God (Quiet Time)
Accountability with another believer
Bible memorization and study
Involved with youth group
Telling others about Jesus
Serving others

Let’s take a quick look at this acrostic.

Hang Time:
Having a constant quiet time with God is hands down the most important habit to living a victorious life in Christ. We need to check with our saved youth and make sure they are developing this discipline; I am working on the assumption that we have this habit ourselves. I am not afraid to spend money by providing devotionals and journals that will help them in this pursuit.
Accountability
I hold that accountability is an under-taught principle in Christianity. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13 (esv). At first we will have to be the accountability lead but quickly teach the youth to hold each other accountable. They are much more involved in each other lives and know each other’s temptations much better than we do.
Bible memorization and study:
Beyond their quiet time they need to learn how to study the bible; not just read it. Teach them how to cross reference, how to use a concordance, how to listen for God. Instill in them the importance of “hiding God’s word in their heart so that they will not sin (Psalms 119:11). Let me give you a gentle warning, you can’t teach what you don’t do. I trust you have a set time for study above your quiet time. If you need tools or training on how to use tools then let me know that is why I am here.
Involved with the Youth Group
Beyond involved; being the leaders of the youth group is the goal. If you do not teach your saved youth how to be leaders and constantly challenge them to be the leaders you are missing the greatest resource God has given you for reaching other urban youth. Teach them how to lead quietly, by example at first, and then as they are faithful assign them more responsibilities.

Telling others about Jesus
The greatest principle that I learned from EE is “Evangelism is more caught than taught. Take them with you as you go on visitation around your Mission Point. You are going on visitation around your Mission Point right? Let them see your heart for sharing Jesus with those who do not come. If they don’t see you doing it why should they think it is important? Yeah some teaching is needed. I like having them mark their bibles and teach the Roman Road. You can have them teach lessons and give a testimony in Kids Club.
Serving others
Mathew 23:11 clearly states the importance of being a servant. “The greatest among you shall be your servant.” Being a servant is easy to say but hard to do. So once again if they don’t see you being a servant in the community they will not understand it. Be patient but consistent in teaching this to the saved youth. Give them servant responsibilities in Kids Club and in Youth Nite. Have them passing out snacks, taking out trash, sweeping the floor.

What a privilege we have to be a part of the lives of urban youth. Let us remember James’s warning: “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” James 3:1. Let us be faithful in our walk to be effective teachers of the Gospel. Let us take this privilege responsibly and not half hearted. Eternal consequences are at stake!

I often feel the same way as I work in urban areas and watch youth make horrible decisions. I see them choose drugs, gangs, crime and sex as their way out but those just really lead them in deeper. Just this week I have seen one die, one tell me she is pregnant, and one join a gang. All three had shut me out of their lives prior to these events. I can tell how well a youth, either from Mission Raleigh or Mt. Vernon, is doing in their walk with the Lord by their proximity to me. The youth who I really help are not all about getting “stuff” from me but are allowing me to help them. They listen when I tell them hard stuff as well as when I tell them positive stuff.

The cross we often bare is one of perceived loneliness. As a Christian all loneliness is only perceived since Jesus told us in Matthew 28:20, “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” but as my friend Kevin Moore will tell you, “Perception is stronger than reality.” So when you hit that season of perceived loneliness, as I have right now, remind yourself that Jesus is in this with you for the long haul.

Mission Raleigh is all about meeting needs. We love to meet needs; it is our way to “earn” the right to tell people about Jesus. You want to know how to meet the need of an urban child. Show up in their community with a tire pump and few inner tubes. WOW you have met a felt need and you will be very busy. But during that time while you working on that tire there will be a child who will hang on every word you tell them as you meet their need. What about urban youth you say, well I am glad you asked. A few $10.00 cards will add minutes on to cell phones and you will have met a real need. How about just opening the computer lab and let them check their MySpace and Facebook. This will give you great chances to point them toward Jesus. Adults can be groceries, bill or rent assistance. But if you deliver that with a lecture or judgment then just keep it because it has lost any effectiveness. Don’t underestimate the need of listening when working with urban adults. The disenfranchised are disenfranchised because no one listens to them. Jesus taught us how listening meets a felt need in John 4 as he listened to the Samaritan women at the well. Listening leads to ministering. There can be no effective ministering without first effective listening.

Meeting needs will allow us to earn the right to share the Gospel with all cultures and all ages. Meeting needs has been clearly modeled to us by Christ and the Apostles. Let’s find ways to meet the needs of this needy world.

We praise the Lord for all the workers that God has sent through Mission Raleigh. We are proud of how many have moved on to other ministries, raising their families and serving in other countries, but we are crying out for God to call some workers to stay planted right here. We are also crying out for more short-term workers.

Please join us as call out to the Lord of the Harvest for Workers. Both short and long term workers.