I realize the title of this post is super dramatic.
But so is the situation.
A year ago, a friend of mine was helping me move something into my new apartment. He said, "This would be a great place to have an outreach". Let me tell you about my neighborhood. Across the street are some more run-down looking townhomes, in dire need of a paint job. My apartment complex (I think) looks nicer: fresh paint, landscaping, picnic tables, and a general feel that people care about where they live. I cannot remember the last time I went more than 2 days without seeing a child in the street. It's mostly the higher end of low income or the lower end of middle income people who live here. There are families (my married neighbors have two kids), singles (um.. hello.. ME), young couples, single parents, college students, older adults, and at least one gay couple who live in my neighborhood. They are Asian, Hispanic, African American, and White. Basically, I live in a super diverse neighborhood that is ripe for the harvest.
Since moving here, I have had two visits from 7th Day Adventists (or perhaps Jehovah's Witnesses... they weren't super clear) and literature left from Jehovah's Witnesses. Tonight, two nice young LDS (Mormon) missionaries came to my door. Super nice fellows who braved the cold and wind to share what they believe is super important news. We had a great conversation on my stoop (my house is a mess and it didn't seem like a good idea to let two strange men into my house, no matter how wholesome they look) and they were super attentive.
As I shut my door, I realized something very startling... not a single evangelical Christian has come to my door. We talk about missions almost every Sunday. There are HUNDREDS of evangelical churches in Norman. There is ONE LDS (Mormon) church. I don't believe there are many 7th Day Adventist or Jehovah's Witness churches. So in a city where evangelicals outnumber these three groups by about 100:1, why has the majority never made it to my door? Either a, we're very bad at timing or b, we just aren't going. I know evangelicals are sharing. I know I have tried to share with some of my neighbors.
Tonight I'm thinking about the dozens of people who live in my apartment complex. I wonder if the only Jesus they've ever heard of has been filtered through these people who know a very different man than I do. My heart breaks to think perhaps I am their only chance and I haven't told them.
I don't make New Year's Resolutions; I believe we should make life changes as needed and not just when a certain date rolls around on the calendar. I'm reminded of an older song. A part of it says, "And all of life comes down to just one thing and that's to know you, Oh Jesus, and make you known" (One Thing by Charlie Hall). For 2013, I am resolved to know Jesus and make Him known.
But so is the situation.
A year ago, a friend of mine was helping me move something into my new apartment. He said, "This would be a great place to have an outreach". Let me tell you about my neighborhood. Across the street are some more run-down looking townhomes, in dire need of a paint job. My apartment complex (I think) looks nicer: fresh paint, landscaping, picnic tables, and a general feel that people care about where they live. I cannot remember the last time I went more than 2 days without seeing a child in the street. It's mostly the higher end of low income or the lower end of middle income people who live here. There are families (my married neighbors have two kids), singles (um.. hello.. ME), young couples, single parents, college students, older adults, and at least one gay couple who live in my neighborhood. They are Asian, Hispanic, African American, and White. Basically, I live in a super diverse neighborhood that is ripe for the harvest.
Since moving here, I have had two visits from 7th Day Adventists (or perhaps Jehovah's Witnesses... they weren't super clear) and literature left from Jehovah's Witnesses. Tonight, two nice young LDS (Mormon) missionaries came to my door. Super nice fellows who braved the cold and wind to share what they believe is super important news. We had a great conversation on my stoop (my house is a mess and it didn't seem like a good idea to let two strange men into my house, no matter how wholesome they look) and they were super attentive.
As I shut my door, I realized something very startling... not a single evangelical Christian has come to my door. We talk about missions almost every Sunday. There are HUNDREDS of evangelical churches in Norman. There is ONE LDS (Mormon) church. I don't believe there are many 7th Day Adventist or Jehovah's Witness churches. So in a city where evangelicals outnumber these three groups by about 100:1, why has the majority never made it to my door? Either a, we're very bad at timing or b, we just aren't going. I know evangelicals are sharing. I know I have tried to share with some of my neighbors.
Tonight I'm thinking about the dozens of people who live in my apartment complex. I wonder if the only Jesus they've ever heard of has been filtered through these people who know a very different man than I do. My heart breaks to think perhaps I am their only chance and I haven't told them.
I don't make New Year's Resolutions; I believe we should make life changes as needed and not just when a certain date rolls around on the calendar. I'm reminded of an older song. A part of it says, "And all of life comes down to just one thing and that's to know you, Oh Jesus, and make you known" (One Thing by Charlie Hall). For 2013, I am resolved to know Jesus and make Him known.
