theCityShouldBeDifferent: Announcing theCityChurch

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Announcing theCityChurch

Today, April and I announce to our home church of Trinity that we believe God is leading us to plant a new church in Lake Charles, theCityChurch.us. We love you, Trinity, and so appreciate our experience with you! We rejoice in the Grace of God you are extending to us, sending us out at Missionaries in our city to reach new people in new ways. Thank you, Trinity, for sending us out with such blessing, us and whoever God sends with us from those who we've shared life or ministry with.

We believe that theCityShouldBeDifferent, because of Jesus. He is leading us to plant theCityChurch.us with this heartbeat: To be totally intentional about reaching people far from God, far from a churched background, and to make disciples. To be a people longing to look like Jesus.

If you want to know more about theCityChurch.us, I would love to visit with you and share our vision. Leave a comment below, email me, paul@thecitychurch.us, or call/text me at 794-9891.

Jesus' mission to make disciples is incredible. He provides the power, as we obey and walk in faith. Jesus said in Matthew 9:38, "So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields."

We say Go Jesus to that.

theCityshouldbedifferent

(Video available at YouTube also)

1 comment:

UnknownAugust 16, 2010 at 8:30 AM
GO GOD, GO JESUS
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theCityShouldBeDifferent

Since #JesusIsAlive, then from #Goosport2Graywood #theCityShouldBeDifferent

theCityShouldBeDifferent.com

a move to Unite theChurchatLakeCharles.us

and Transform the city

through Building Capacity for Engagement

So That John 17:20-23 can happen here, now.

OK, that sounds good, but what does that mean? So here is an Example: We have this enormous industrial expansion headed to SWLA, bringing 25,000+ new construction jobs. There are lots of, say, young men in our area who are not meaningfully participating in the workforce, but who could certainly fulfill the unskilled helper jobs that will be a small portion of this large construction workforce needed. What they need to be ready for these jobs is some hope. We, church, are charter members in the hope trade. So, via relational engagement, we let the young men borrow some hope from us, inspiring some to begin working on improving their character and soft skills, getting ready for this meaningful work opportunity.

There are a bunch of kickers in this real-life scenario.

1.) The industrial construction helpers can make $15 an hour, and typically have lots of overtime. This scenario really stomps on the gas pedal in this way: a new entrant into the workforce in this situation can save enough to buy a reliable car in 1-2 months! That is hope building; dignity establishing!

2.) If we are going to see a thousand young men (that's my vision) pass through this opportunity, we will need a whole-bunch of support systems, meaning mentors, encouragers, soft-skills instructors, rides to work and more.

3.) When we engage with our real-life neighbors, in real-life serving, everyone's character, everyone's faith in Jesus gets a real shot at growing! It's what you call, Discipleship.

4.) When a young man gets a job that can pay $40k a year, they have real options! They can get more education and training. They can inspire those around them to follow them. They can be inspired by those who invested in their life for free and set them up for this situation, and they can help the next group of young men who aren't working get on board.

5.) When people from all corners of the city who are a part of the Jesus story get engaged together on a real-life mission worth doing, one that doesn't benefit any of the men or their churches directly, but the benefits are so powerful and real, then we get to build trust, relationships and capacity and see that Jesus unites and trumps race or class. We get new respect for each other and our capacity to do go and be real brothers is greater than we could have foreseen

...

Are you getting a little glimpse at the picture?

The people who follow Jesus are carrier's of the Hope of the World. We, in the Lake Charles area, have a beautiful opportunity to engage with our community, building relationships and helping lots of people see who Jesus is more clearly.

There is lots more to say, so stay tuned and, if you are intrigued, lean your voice into the mix. Contact Paul Pettefer at 337-794-9891, paul@employmentisbetter.com, @paulpettefer, or stop by the InterGalactic Offices of theCityShouldBeDifferent.com located inside Laundry World, 2712 Lake St, Lake Charles.