theCityShouldBeDifferent: No Strings, No Catch...Good News! Bringing fruit to teachers in our city

Friday, August 17, 2012

No Strings, No Catch...Good News! Bringing fruit to teachers in our city

The word Gospel literally means, "good news." God knew that we needed some really Good News, so He sent Jesus.

When people see people see church people coming, they should think, "Hey, good news is on the way." Sometimes when they see us coming, it's like knowing a telemarketer is on the way, and they are looking for a place to hide. I don't know about you, but with the advent of caller id, the telemarketer's never get to talk to me...if it says "Out of Area" on my home phone, I let it ring. And if I do pick up and get a script-repeating telemarketer on the phone, I can't wait to get off the line. Never have I heard from a script-reader and thought, "Wow, this is really good news!"

We are bringing some simple good news to the teachers and staff at a couple of Elementary Schools we are fans of in the city. We were privileged to be able to do some simple volunteering for JFK Elementary last year, and are doing so again this year. We also have someone who is a part of theCityChurch whose son attends A.A. Nelson Elementary.

So we are fans of both of these great schools, and as a way of showing we care, we are bringing a fresh fruit basket to their teacher's lounges. Simple ways to be Good News and to bring that good news with you wherever you go.

Believing that theCityWillBeDifferent, I remain sincerely your servant, paul

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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.