theCityShouldBeDifferent: Let Freedom Ring

Monday, July 4, 2011

Let Freedom Ring

I love America.

My trip to Honduras this week was fantastic, and I'll be sharing more of that story with you in the next couple of days, so check back - it will be worth it.

I hope the people of other countries love their homes, too.

I was born here, and so appreciate all the great things about America, most particularly the freedoms that we have.

Freedom, you see, isn't free. It costs blood and treasure. The flag pictured above is maybe my favorite picture I've ever taken. It's from the Avenue of Flags display at the Orange Grove Memorial Cemetery in Lake Charles (on Memorial and Veteran's Days).

One of the things I love about the picture is how the Sun shins through the flag, illuminating the color and adding vibrancy.

It reminds me that my freedom, my real, enduring freedom, comes when the Son of God, Jesus, shines in my heart, breaking me free from every form of bondage.

That's why we are planting a church in theLC, to Let Freedom Ring here!

I am proud to live in America, and to be an American. Even more, I belong to Jesus! Here is how the Apostle Paul says this in the Bible, his letter to the church in Philippi:

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.
Philippians 3:20

Let Freedom Ring!

Happy Birthday, America

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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.