October 2007

October marks the first full month for our new Mission Year Team Members! After a great time of having everyone together outside of Atlanta for a week of orientation, the teams are settling into their neighborhoods, learning about their cities, and starting to serve their communities. Keep them in your prayers as they dive into this new adventure called Mission Year. As always, you can email me with questions or for more information and you can apply for Mission Year online at www.missionyear.org/applynow. Have a great month and remember to live what maters!

In Christ
Sarah Bell, Dir. Of Recruitment/Admissions

Ponder This

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. (John 1:14)

There was a time when the Son of God had to make a difficult decision. He saw a place in dire need of love, hope, peace, and joy but responding to that need meant giving up what was comfortable, familiar, and routine. Lucky for us, he chose to give up his heavenly life to live among people that were struggling day in and day out. Not only did he live among the down and out – he served them. And we are all better for it. Then before returning to his home he asked us to follow his example. Instead, the modern church has seemed to do the opposite. We all too often choose to stay where we are comfortable instead of looking upon those in need with the eyes of Christ and moving to their neighborhood to serve them. Imagine if every Christian actually did something as radical as follow Jesus in that way! Well, at Mission Year our goal is to get every young adult Christian (18–29) to do just that. After 11 years we’ve seen over 700 answer that call. Our goal for 2008 is to have 120 of you be lights in the darkness – taking Jesus back into the neighborhood.

www.missionyear.org/applynow

Highlight of the Month

As of September 7th, Chicago has become home to 15 new Mission Year team members Our Windy City teams are led by City Director Shawn Casselberry. This is an exciting year in Chi-town because of our partnerships Breakthrough Urban Ministries and Lawndale Community Ministries. We also have a team serving in the Spanish-speaking neighborhood of La Vallita (Little Village). Please pray for our Chicago teams as they work hard to establish relationships with their neighbors before it starts getting cold! Also, if you are interested in financially supporting a team or team member in Chicago please donate now.

Faith Nugget

Some might call Zechariah 8 an impossible dream. Oh, ye of little faith. We can’t help but walk in the Spirit so Zechariah 8 is Mission Year’s vision for Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Camden, and Wilmington. We believe that God’s desire to see Jerusalem made whole is also His desire for all of creation – including our cities and our neighbors. Can you imagine if this was everyone’s vision for our cities? God could make this dream a reality on His own but instead asks His followers to be His hands and feet. Catch the vision as you read through this slightly tailored version of a powerful Old Testament passage.

Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me. This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Camden; I am burning with jealousy for her.”

This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Wilmington and dwell in Atlanta. Then Chicago will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of New Orleans, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the LORD Almighty.

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. I will bring them back to live in Philadelphia; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”

David Crowder Band

We are also excited to announce that we’ll be on the David Crowder Band Remedy Tour starting Oct. 3rd! Check out www.davidcrowderband.com for dates and locations. Hope to see you there!