The number one question of the month has been, “So what type of work are you doing with that ministry called Urban Resurrection?”  I think this reoccurring question from is truly an expression of a genuine desire to know why I’m compelled to engage in the work that I do (missions) in the place that I am (urban America).  Well, my motivation is first driven by scripture from the Bible, but my philosophy of ministry is also influenced by a number of excellent books.  I’m inviting you to participate and gain a deeper understanding.

 

With so many of my family and friends spread out in different parts of the world, I deliberated over the most effective way to conduct regular meetings of our minds over the long distances.  As a result, I have created a blog which will function as an online community where we can read and discuss some of these great book shelf treasures.  The “Reading Out Loud” title describes what we’re doing as a community discussing the heart of scripture where urban ministry is concerned.  The web address for the blog is: http://readingoutloudwithme.blogspot.com/.  You can bookmark the site and/or request e-mail update for each new post.  The very first post is simply a poem that I thought might interest some.  It’s really long, but it’s worth it to read the whole thing.

 

Here’s how it’ll work:

·    We’ll read and discuss one book at a time

·    A schedule will be posted on the blog denoting the book and chapter we’ll read each week

·    Each week, I’ll post a summary of the past week’s reading

·    You can feel free to post your own insights and comments from the readings

Pretty simple huh? 

 

What we’re reading:  The first book we’ll read is Restoring At-Risk Communities by John Perkins.  John Perkins was born into Mississippi poverty, the son of a sharecropper and a school drop out by the third grade.  He fled to California when he was 17 after his older brother was murdered by a town marshal.  Perkins accepted Christ in 1960 and soon returned to his boyhood home to share the gospel of Christ.  His outspoken support and leadership role in civil rights demonstrations resulted in repeated harassment, imprisonment, and beatings.  Today, Perkins is one of the leading evangelical voices to come out of the American civil rights movement internationally known as an author, speaker, and teacher on issues of racial reconciliation and Christian community development.  For his tireless work, he received numerous honorary doctorates.  Perkins authored nine books including A Quiet Revolution, Let Justice Roll Down, With Justice For All, Beyond Charity, He’s My Brother, Resurrecting Hope, and A Time to Heal.  He has also written numerous chapters in other books.  Restoring At-Risk Communities is considered the handbook for Christian community development, so I felt like it was appropriate for us to begin with this book.

 

Coming Attractions:  “Pages From My Journey” is the next blog I’m working on.  It will contain regular updates from “my journey”.

 

Grace and peace to you!  Love and blessings too!

– Kristy Wallace, Apprentice

Posted on September 4th, 2009 by Michael
Filed under: Community Development, Family & Friends, News, Reflections from the Streets