My suburban Chicago street was a field a decade ago. Deer and coyote sightings remain common.

Still, my suburban existence has urban elements. My community, which bills itself as “the city in the suburbs,” has a casino and its own listing on the Urban Dictionary website. Nearly 44 percent of my city’s 108,000 residents identified themselves as Hispanic in the 2010 census, and English is a second language at some of the businesses I frequent.

The line between urban and suburban is not always as clear as it looks on a map. Big cities and their suburbs (and rural areas) need Free Methodists who heed B.T. Roberts’ 1860 call to “maintain the Bible standard of Christianity, and to preach the Gospel to the poor.”

At General Conference 2011, delegates confirmed “our responsibilities and opportunities to those in the urban United States” while acknowledging “most of the urban areas of the U.S. present significant challenges to the Free Methodist Church.”

This issue of Light & Life Magazine [LLM] explores these challenges and celebrates our urban members and leaders. We salute the Free Methodist Urban Fellowship, the African Heritage Network, the Latin Network (Red Latina), the Olive Branch Mission and other Free Methodists living out their faith among urban and suburban residents.

Downloadable PDF: LLM July 2012

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Features

Table of Contents
[Feature]: Seeing God’s City View
[Bishops]: Why Urban?
[Foundation]: Reaching the City
[History]: Kernels of Wheat in the Cities
[Action]: Serving the City
[News]: Urban Fellowship President Shares Vision
[World]: FM Urban Ministry Goes Global
[Discipleship]: Race and Church

The FMUF network exists to support and encourage urban ministry leadership and to extend the reach and effectiveness of the Free Methodist Church, especially among the poor and disenfranchised in urban areas.

“In any real city, you walk. You know? You brush past people. People bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We’re always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something.” – Detective Graham Waters (Don Cheadle), “Crash”

The 2004 movie “Crash” is a good tool to inspire dialogue about diversity, the realities within urban America and the struggles of its residents. Its description of Los Angeles has become the American norm. Our cities’ residents are touch-
resistant and desperately alone.

Urban church leaders experience the irony of being alone in an overcrowded existence. We navigate in a civilization short on civility — multitudes of human beings not connecting with each other. Serving in such a high-risk atmosphere takes its toll on ministers as they learn how to “be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

The danger lies within the synapse, before thoughts translate into action. The power of the Holy Spirit is constantly needed to understand pain yet initiate wellness, identify a threat yet promote harmony, recognize the hustle yet walk in peace. I don’t know any leader called to the city who doesn’t instinctively want to escape the madness. At the same time, each leader compulsively seeks to discover the divine image of what God wants that city to become.

This duality — this love-hate relationship — with the cities we serve reminds me of Paul’s confession in which he wishes he were “cursed and cut off from Christ” if it could help save his own people (Romans 9:3–4).

I have often found myself putting my family and me in harm’s way to save my people. Risks have included moving into the hood, sending my children to public schools and doing life with people I’ve pledged to reach. This isn’t a social experiment. This is my life, and I only get one chance at it.

God has shown Himself in wonderful ways. I could share story after story of His providence and presence, but I sometimes experience challenges that seem like cracks in His plan. These difficulties cause me to wonder: Is it worth it?

There is a reason that so many have left the urban wastelands for what they consider greener pastures. Not a day goes by that I don’t dream of greener pastures, but my dreams include the green spreading into the city and overtaking the worst areas.

Snowy Revelation
Last winter, I found myself driving on a snowy day through one of the roughest parts of South Dallas. As I looked around, I was astonished at how beautiful the city appeared. The snow covered the dirty streets and the unkempt yards, and it gave me a view of what the city could look like.

I thought of the statement in 1 Peter 4:8 that “love covers over a multitude of sins.” It hit me that God gives us brief glimpses of glorious possibilities if we lovingly commit to look into areas that need His love the most.

If all of this that started in a garden (Genesis 2:8) will one day end up in a city (Revelation 21:10), then how do we recapture God’s definition of the city?

In one of my favorite passages (Ezekiel 3:12–27), Ezekiel seemingly is sent against his will into a community of refugees, and God saves Israel by doing a transformational work in Ezekiel as well as through him.

Into the City
If you really want to see God move, get where He’s needed the most. We must become incarnate in our mission or face the alternative: becoming irrelevant holders of religious artifacts.

Ezekiel was lifted and taken somewhere he was dead set against going. The deciding factor was God’s hand on him (v.14). Like Ezekiel, I may not like where I am, but if God is with me, then I can make it!

Let’s not forget that the One who called us is with us. His hand gets heavier the closer we get to where He’s taking us.

In the Moment
Before Ezekiel could speak to the refugees, God made him temporarily “silent and unable to rebuke them” (v.26).

Your presence —- being in the moment with those you serve —- will far outshine your greatest sermon. In fact, your presence is the greatest sermon you’ll ever preach.

Made a Watchman
The job of the church isn’t to police culture but to be a witness of God’s truth about culture. When God elevates us to the point where we watch over the souls of the people He loves, we don’t have to battle to be heard because His sheep will hear His voice in our voices.

Pastor Fred Lynch is the director of urban mission for the River Conference and a Christian hip-hop pioneer who founded the group P.I.D. (Preachers in Disguise) in 1987.
After time in the presence of the people, Ezekiel was granted the office of a watchman on a wall (v.16). When you become lifted up with insight among the people to whom you are called, God gives you the ability to see things from heaven’s perspective. This curious dynamic kicks in like a special vision that enables you to see when others are blind.

Watchmen don’t just watch. They also communicate. Share what you see with those who are blinded to God’s view.

Experiencing Loss
Why can’t I win the lottery and be done with this daily bread? If I won the lottery, I wouldn’t be as able to connect with the people to whom God is sending me because they’ve never won the lottery (although statistics show they finance it). The city is filled with few winners and far too many losers.

As an urban church planter, I am well acquainted with loss. At times, I’ve even questioned if I’ve lost my mind for taking up such a risky venture. I am also aware of the greatest gifts of God’s strong hand (v.14) and whispers of what He’s going to do in the city.

God wants you to experience a real city where you walk and brush past people, people bump into you and you touch each other. You might even experience a crash and feel something.

Whether meeting in storefronts, public schools, libraries, hotels, coffee shops, theaters, warehouses or traditional sanctuaries, the urban church is as complex and creative as the city it is called to serve.

As we look at today’s urban church, we must look at God’s Word for His direction to reach diverse neighborhoods and people. The message is the same, but reaching the city takes multiple methods — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Look at Jerusalem where Jesus wept over the city (Luke 13:34, 19:41). He told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father “until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Jerusalem — besieged, captured or destroyed, in whole or part — is the type of city to which the urban church has been called.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” King David wrote (Psalm 122:6).

“Pray for the peace of our urban center” is the cry of our city congregations as they toil together day and night by the grace and wisdom of God to carry the light to dark places.

The urban church must have a three-legged approach to ministering to the city. One leg is deeply rooted in message and purpose. Another leg stands for social holiness and is the community’s moral compass. The third leg is in the marketplace. The urban church must bring the light of Christ to corporate America.

An effective, rapidly expanding and successful urban church works collaboratively as the body of Christ. An urban church member should be a doer (James 2:24) until every resident of every neighborhood hears and sees the wonderful works of God.

E. Kenneth Martin, the pastor of New Vision Fellowship in Forestville, Md., serves the Free Methodist Church – USA as a Board of Administration member and as the denomination’s representative to the National Association of Evangelicals.

SCRIPTURE:

Luke 13:34
Luke 19:41
Luke 24:49
Psalm 122:6
James 2:24

Four years ago, Shane and Lona Lakatos took their children to play at a park in Toledo, Ohio. As they played, another family approached them because they noticed the Lakatoses speaking Arabic. As the two families chatted, the Lakatoses realized their new friends needed help.

This wasn’t a one-time occurrence. The Lakatoses began meeting many more Toledo residents who speak Arabic. Per capita, Toledo has the largest Arab-American population in Ohio. Immigrants are drawn to the city because of its strong Arab community, but they often face heartbreaking challenges and difficult living situations.

When the Lakatoses moved to Toledo, they had no idea what God had planned. The casual conversations at the park, grocery store and McDonald’s soon made it apparent that immigrant families in northwest Ohio needed help.

“Our passion is serving immigrants and refugees. God tells us to welcome the foreigner to show Christ’s love. Hospitality communicates so much in the Arab culture,” Lona Lakatos said.

Faith in Action
In September 2012, Social Services for the Arab Community (SSFAC) became a nonprofit organization. SSFAC focuses on five areas of need — translation and interpretation, emergency resources, family welfare, employment and training, and health services.

SSFAC helps immigrant families become self-sufficient and adjust to life in the United States. The organization serves Arab immigrants from all religious backgrounds and without any expectations or conditions. Volunteers are intentional in showing Christ’s love through their work, allowing their actions to speak before their words.

Their service has made an impact. SSFAC now serves 95 families (300 individuals), and the caseload continues to grow.

“There is such a huge need. We haven’t begun to scratch the surface,” Shane Lakatos explained.

The Lakatos family gathers regularly with friends u and volunteers at Toledo’s Ottowa Park. (Photo by Andrea Anibal)
FM Support

The mission of SSFAC is supported by two Free Methodist congregations, Crossroads Community Church in
Ottawa Lake, Mich., and Holland FMC in Holland, Ohio. Additional support and resources come from the local Christian community and from Muslims who share SSFAC’s vision.

“We support the work of Shane and Lona because they are helping meet specific, personal needs of immigrants in our community,” said Keith Simpson, the senior pastor at Holland FMC. “They are expressing the love of Christ in tangible ways.”

Both congregations also help SSFAC by providing desperately needed manpower to the new nonprofit. Last fall, SSFAC raised funds and organized a drive to send a shipping container filled with 35,000 pounds of clothing to Syrian refugees in Jordan’s Al Zaatari refugee camp. Holland FMC served as a drop site for the drive, and both Crossroads and Holland coordinated volunteers to help collect the clothing and load the container.

“Our passion is to help others realize there is a population of people who are foreigners, and, in keeping with scriptures, we want to offer them hospitality, love and support,” said Jamie Rye, the pastor of missions and congregational care at Crossroads and the president of SSFAC’s board of directors.

For more information, visit SSFAC’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ssfactoledo.

Luke 18:35–42 tells the story of a blind man sitting by the side of the road when a crowd passes by him. He is curious about the commotion and is told that Jesus of Nazareth is walking by. He cries out to Jesus for mercy and is immediately rebuked and told to be quiet by those leading the way. In his desperation, he cries out louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus responds and restores the blind man’s sight.

In July 2005, I lay in the critical care unit of a Colorado hospital screaming this prayer. Unlike the blind man, no one could hear me because I had a breathing tube crammed down my throat and no
audible sound could come out. However, I knew and believed with every fiber of my being that Jesus Himself heard me and had mercy on me.

My husband, Aaron, and I were in a tragic automobile rollover that summer. Traveling down a two-lane highway in our rental convertible with the top down, Aaron was forced to make a split-second decision to avoid hitting a truck that had stopped in front of us. Our car rumbled through a field, hit a ditch that launched it airborne, and landed upside down on the other side of the road with both of us trapped underneath.

I was hanging by my seatbelt. My head was pressed on the ground with my chin pushed down on my chest blocking my windpipe. I remember seeing my legs and thinking they had been cut off because I couldn’t feel them. Realizing what happened, I said to Aaron, “I broke my neck.”

My neck was broken, and my spinal cord was crushed, which left me paralyzed from my shoulders down. I was now a quadriplegic.

For nearly six months, I was in a rehabilitation hospital trying to learn the skills necessary for assimilating back into the “real” world as a disabled person in a wheelchair. When I finally came home in January 2006, my physical perspective on the world had changed drastically. I was much shorter in a wheelchair, and much wider! Doors were narrower, hills were steeper, people were bigger, bumps were bumpier, and steps, stairs and barriers were everywhere.

Kari with husband, Aaron, and daughter, Grace.
Uncomfortable Attention
Often people’s attempts at being polite and kind ended in embarrassment for me as I became the recipient of so much curious attention. Any sense of anonymity and independence was completely gone. This was a traumatic change for me as an independent and introverted person who does not like being the center of attention. Just as there are physical and emotional consequences for becoming disabled, there are also social consequences.

I noticed that other people were uncomfortable with me, just as I was uncomfortable being in a wheelchair. As a pastor, I found this extremely difficult. I was used to talking so easily with others, and I was usually
described as an approachable person. But now people didn’t know how to act or physically orient themselves around me. I couldn’t shake hands anymore.

The headrest on my wheelchair made hugging awkward, so a lot of people would kiss or pat the top of my head instead. Rather than stand in front of me to have a conversation, people would stand beside me or even slightly behind me. Because the volume of my voice was affected by my paralysis and because I was so much shorter than before, people often couldn’t hear me.

Inclusive Accessibility
The church where I was on staff, and still attend, happened to be redesigning the front of the sanctuary at the time of my accident. When my condition’s permanence was realized, a ramp was worked into the design so I could still access the platform when I spoke. I was so touched by the sensitivity of that gesture. It made me realize two things: (1) These people thought I still had something to say in spite of my physical condition. (2) They still wanted to include me in ministry. They gave me accessibility and inclusion.

Jesus said in Luke 14:12–14, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

I really can speak only for myself as there are a myriad of different kinds of disabilities. But as a pastor who has been on the able-bodied side of ministry and the disabled side of ministry, I have observed that often the church does not invite “the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind” as Jesus instructed. Maybe if there is a special prayer or healing service scheduled, these people are invited. But including disabled people — simply sharing in their faith journey and being involved in each other’s lives — is not a common experience in many churches.

Kari Morris-Guzman is an ordained elder in the Free Methodist Church. She lives in Southern California with her husband, Aaron, and their daughter, Grace.
Most churches make an attempt at physical accessibility. Ramps are installed, bathroom stalls are widened, and parking spaces are labeled. However, because churches are exempt from meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, many churches fall short of having truly accessible buildings. Many older buildings need elevators. Ramps are too steep. Doors are too narrow. Thresholds are too high. Signs don’t have braille. Sanctuaries often have wheelchair seating, but it’s usually in the back, so the view is blocked when the congregation stands up. Making a building fully accessible could be quite expensive, but Jesus said, “Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Improving accessibility by removing barriers and including the poor, crippled, lame and blind is a theme that we see throughout Jesus’ ministry. Zacchaeus was too short so he dealt with the crowd barrier by climbing a tree; the bleeding woman dealt with the crowd barrier by crawling to the hem of Jesus’ robe; the friends of the paralyzed man dealt with the crowd barrier by cutting a hole through the roof!

When we make our churches accessible, we are, in a sense, making God accessible. Our brothers and sisters with disabilities have enough barriers to overcome in their daily lives. Let’s make our churches places that are barrier-free with all people included and valued.

Shirley Elosh understands special needs well. Her son, Jonathan, 28, has multiple needs that require unique care. Elosh’s parenting experience has prepared her for ministry to people with similar needs.

“I was starting to think about what the Lord was putting on our heart about special needs,” said Elosh, who began to consider launching a church designed for people with special needs and disabilities.

On Sept. 26, 2010, God’s Choice held its first service in the facilities of the First FMC in East Liverpool, Ohio, where Elosh serves as associate pastor. It soon grew to have 60–70 people in attendance every week.

When attendance made a second location necessary, Monacrest FMC in Monaca, Pa., offered to partner with Elosh. With its facility and volunteers, God’s Choice Beaver Falls launched on Oct. 1, 2012. Attendance has
already reached the maximum capacity of 100 people, and Elosh is working to launch a third location. She has received offers to partner with other churches in the Pittsburgh Conference.

Elosh and God’s Choice volunteers find it rewarding to work with people who have special needs.

“When they first come in, we see the wheelchairs, the walkers, the disability,” Elosh said. “But it doesn’t take long before that’s not even a thought in looking at the person the way God wants us to see.”
Elosh’s son has also played a very active roll in the ministry.

“I’m happy to be a part of it,” Jonathan Elosh said. “I’m learning to see other people be used by God.”
While God’s Choice has been expanding rapidly, Shirley Elosh hopes it will spread even further. After receiving encouragement from conference leadership, she wrote a manual for how to replicate the ministry.

If you’re interested in learning more about God’s Choice, contact Shirley Elosh at got2tell@gmail.com or by calling (330) 550-9434.