Category: diversity

what i know for sure

Racism will never end until it first ends in the church.

One thing that has always bugged me was why there is such little diversity in churches.
Sunday morning is STILL the most segregated time in our country.

While outside the church doors racism still exists, inside we gather amongst ourselves and think nothing of it.

The other 6 days of the week, we have no problem shopping, eating, and rooting for the same football team (Giants!?!)

What I don’t understand is why we can’t reach out to people of a different color in our cities without making them feel like some second-class person.

The way we treat someone gives them an example of how God would treat them.
Would God belittle someone and have them thinking that they are less-than?
Would God stand next them in church but not speak to them at the mall?
Would God preach only about how “his” race has to overcome?

I am sure that you might think that these are exaggerations but they’re not.

This I know for sure.

funky faith friday (11/18)

I have had an exciting week. God is doing so many wonderful things.
Here are a few things that I am believing God for.

1. We have started an initiative to bless a local elementary school with school supplies and extra uniforms.
We are believing that God will prompt others to partner with us in this effort.
Click here to check it out and donate.

2. We are looking forward to 2012, which we believe will be a monumental year.
We are looking to expand the Kingdom in 2012!

3. We are looking for a diverse crew of sold-out believers to come alongside of us as we impact the city of Joliet and surrounding communities with the love if Christ.

It’s On!

My city was hit, again, with violence this past weekend.
One young man was shot to death and 3 others were injured.

Frankly, it doesn’t matter who they were, their ages, or even the color of their skin.
What matters most is that they were important to God.

If they were important to God, they should be important to God’s people.

There are entire segments of our population that never get touched with the love of Christ.
Far too often we want them to look like us before we give them the Good News.

I believe that now is the time to hit the streets like never before and reach people right where they are.

Our city must be reached NOW (Acts 1:8)
God has given us the power and the authority to win our city for the Kingdom.
Let us not misuse that power trying to reach only people in foreign countries.

Let’s TRANSFORM Joliet!

funky faith friday

I am so ready to go to the next level in God.
I believe that He is calling for us all to stretch our faith like never before.

1. We have a great initiative to help out an elementary school in Joliet. Look for the details next week.
2. I am also believing for an awesome holiday time to show others the love of Christ.
3. I am looking for a diverse crew of people who want to make an impact for God in Joliet

Im back

After almost 1 month of not writing, blogging, etc, I am back!

I have been doing a lot of praying, soul-searching, thinking, and praying.

All in all, I believe that God has spoken to me and shown me the direction I must take to make the kind of impact that He wants me to make.

Stay tuned for our community initiative, STEP up for Woodland

funky faith friday

Here are a few things that I am crazy enough to believe God for:

1. Our next Prayer Initiative is tomorrow, Saturday October 1st from 9am – 10am at the corner of Chicago St. and 4th Avenue in Joliet. We are looking forward to praying to God that He blesses, protects, and inspires us to Impact the city of Joliet in a major way!

2. I am looking to bring together a multi-ethnic, Spiritually-motivated group of people to do something that rarely is done. I Believe!

3. I am expecting miracles to take place in the coming months. God is building my faith and I want to encourage others to believe for the Impossible.

prayer initiative


We are having our next Prayer Initiative on Saturday, October 1st at 9 a.m.
This event will take place on the corner of 4th Avenue and Chicago Street in Joliet. We will be praying against the violence and crime that still affects our city.
We know that it is up to the body of Christ to make a difference by praying and by actively making changes in our communities.

Change is not about 1 particular race or ethnic group.
Change is not about the personal agenda of a pastor or church leader.

God has given each one of us the ability to make things different in our world.

I am looking forward to making a huge impact on the streets of Joliet and let people know that
Jesus is Lord to the glory of God.

who are they? (re-post)

I have been thinking about the young guys and the young ladies who don’t fit in the mold of the traditional church.
The ones with the tats and the braids.
The ones with the nose rings and the bad pasts.

They have been searching for hope, healing, and peace.
They also are looking for love, compassion, and acceptance.
They are tired of being judged and sometimes condemned for the way they look.

What is the answer from the church?
What will we say to those who cry out for help? Will we try to make them look like us instead of Christ?

In Psalm 72, Solomon is asking God to help him to lead the people.
Verse 12 says, “For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.”

Our response should be to reach out to everyone, regardless of race, sex, or lifestyle, with the love of God.
It shouldn’t matter to us who they are or what they have done.
What should matter is that each of them is a child of God and that He loves them dearly.

We are preparing to launch a church in our city.
It will be a church that is prepared to minister to people exactly where they are.
No barriers of religious traditions and mindsets.

Reach the broken and connect them to Christ.

just a thought

The last few days I have been contemplating what it means to launch a church.
The responsibility of being a Pastor.
To care for others needs and lead them into a growing relationship with God.

It’s frightening and humbling.

People have been shunned, embarrassed, and even killed by Christians.
Many have a jaded view of what the church is supposed to be about.

Can’t say that I blame them though.
Some of us have grossly misrepresented our God.

In my lifetime, I want to show God in the best light possible.
I’m not perfect but He is.