Update on Jeremy

Jeremy had a couple of procedures yesterday. First, they moved his tracheotomy tube from his mouth to his throat. They are hopeful he won’t fight the tube as much. This will also allow them to see the damage to the inside of his mouth and try to start feeding him. Second, he was supposed to have a dye injected into his brain to see where and how much damage had been done. At this point I have not heard how either of these procedures went or any results.

The picture is of Jeremy this past June at Uplift.

Bring a Friend Sunday

Yesterday was our Bring a Friend Sunday. For several weeks I had been encouraging our church to pray for yesterday by running a cartoon of another church's misfurtune on their friend day.

(caption reads, "for all you visiting, let me reassure you that the overhead usually works, the lady who water the plants is just on vacation, and the lapel mike is never ordinarily misplaced...")

Well, we had that type of Sunday. Our volunteer teachers for our 3-5 year old class didn't show up. I had several audio-visual things planned-none of it worked. The worship leader changed a couple of songs mid-service with no words for the new songs. In many ways yesterday was not the day I was hoping and praying for. Amy says that God was laughing in my face for putting the cartoon in our bulletin.

However, at the same time when things don't go the way I planned it is for a reason. God is usually demonstrating that he can take something that looks like a train wreck and make something good out of it. We had two men at church yesterday who I don't know have ever been there. One of those men is the husband of one of our Servant Leaders-Ann. In fact, she had not invited him to come with her yesterday. However, she was completely shocked when he woke up yesterday and asked her what he needed to wear to church. Yesterday afternoon when Amy and I were at the hospital visiting Jeremy he was also there and he told me "good sermon." In spite of the train wreck that was yesterday's worship service, God opened his heart received the message from yesterday's worship.

Update on Jeremy

God works a miracle. Jeremy made it through the night Thursday night and Friday made some dramatic improvements. Normal brain pressure is between 5 & 15. When Jeremy entered the hospital on Thursday his pressure was at 65. By Thursday night when I left it was down to 40. Friday the pressure continued to fall all the way back down to within normal range (where it continues to hold between 13 &15). Friday afternoon Jeremy started responding by moving his right eye (his left eye is severely damaged and will probably lose sight in it if he survives) and left side of his body. At 10:30 Friday night I received a phone call that Jeremy had woken up. The doctors put him on sedation meds to keep him calm and from exerting a lot of energy. They have now improved his odds of survival to 50/50.

Many prayers are still needed. There is still a long road ahead and it is still a wait and see situation.

At this time there is still no offical news on exactly what happened.

Young Black Men & Violence

This week I intended to write about the Fall Retreat that 3 of our youth attended with our supporting church. It was a great weekend with over 150 youth attending. To read what the youth minister from Missouri Street wrote on his blog, click here.

However, an event occurred yesterday that preempted the other post. One of our 18 year old young men (Jeremy) was shot yesterday. At this point in the investigation the police do not know if the gunshot was self-inflicted or someone else shot him. He and his family are not doing well. The bullet from a “small caliber revolver” entered through the mouth and bounced around inside his brain where it remains. Although he still has too much function to be declared legally brain dead there is nothing more the doctors can do for him. According to the doctors “it is just a matter of time.”

Whether this was self-inflicted or not this event is just a grave reminder of violence in the lives of young black men. A couple years ago some young men from the neighborhood were playing Russian Roulette and a young man picked up the gun, spun the barrel and said, “What the *#@!, I have nothing to live for.” He then pulled the trigger and killed himself. Although we don’t know yet exactly what happened in Jeremy’s case, how sad and disturbing it is for a young man to play Russian Roulette because they don’t believe they have anything worth living for. When one has no hope of an education or a job or a decent standard of living, it can appear as though there is nothing to live for. Even if one wouldn’t be attempting suicide any other way, just sitting around and playing such a dangerous game with such a thought running through one’s mind blows me away.

Jeremy though did have something to live for. He had moved out of his momma’s house earlier in the year—a young man wanting his independence. However, just three days before this happened he had returned home. He had spoken to his mom about going down to the community college and getting his GED. He rode to and from church Wednesday night with me on the church van. At no time did he appear to be someone who was contemplating suicide. If this was a self-inflicted g.s.w. I have no idea what he could have been thinking—nor does any of his family.

On the other hand if he was shot by someone else, Jeremy has become just another statistic of black on black violence. One more scenario of a black man attempting (at this point) to kill another black man. What happened or what an argument could have been about is still unknown. Jeremy and another young man were alone in the back of a house where this took place. However, what is known is that we have become a culture that is desensitized to violence. Guns are too easy to get a hold of. It is time for the violence and the killing to stop!

Let me be perfectly clear, at this point it is still unclear exactly how Jeremy was shot. The police have not said one way or the other. However, I couldn’t help thinking about both scenarios and reflect about how many of our young black men in our society are “fated” to such a premature and violent death.

Busy and Exciting Times

Wednesday I wrote that there are some exciting things awaiting me when I get back to Memphis. Here is a quick summary of some of those exciting things.

• Last Sunday we had over 60 in attendance. Although I was out of town this past Wednesday night (here at CCDA) I heard there were quite a few there then as well. I know that it has been at least a couple of months since we have had 60 on a Sunday morning.
• Next weekend we will probably have a few teens who attend the Camp Tahkodah Retreat with our supporting church. This has always been a great time for our teenagers. Each year I have been blessed at Tahkodah to have deep and meaningful conversations with some of teens about their lives and spiritual matters. Two years ago I even had the privilege of baptizing one of them at Tahkodah.
• Next Sunday, October 21st, those who are at Wonder City will celebrate our 8th Anniversary. Eight years ago on the third Sunday in October Wonder City held its first Sunday worship service. (Of course the work began earlier in 1999 with a block party that spring that lead to a children’s church and a group that started meeting for a prayer and Bible Study on Wednesday nights.) Amy & I weren’t around on that first Sunday. We came in January, 2001. Although we are not planning any special celebration it is a major accomplishment to celebrate 8 years! It has also been a very interesting and fun ride for Amy and I over the past 6+ years.
• The following weekend on Sunday, October 28th, we will have our first annual Bring a Friend Sunday. I am very excited about this opportunity for several reasons. First, this was not my idea. Nor, was it an idea of anyone from here at our supporting church. This was an idea of one of Wonder City’s church members that other church members bought into. Second, since our members have taken ownership with this idea I am excited to see how many visitors we have that Sunday. I am expecting several people who have never been to Wonder City to be there that Sunday. I am so pumped about this weekend that I have already started planning the worship service and my sermon for that Sunday.
• The first full week in November we will have our annual Fall & Winter Clothing Giveaway. Although this is not my favorite event, I know that there are those in our community who need the clothes that we provide. I am also excited about trying to work with our supporting church and Wonder City on how we can turn this paternalistic event into one that is more of a partnership between our two churches to serve our community.
• After the clothing giveaway we will make our turn into the holiday activities—the Turkey Giveaway and Christmas Store. Countless families and children have been blessed through these events that have brightened the holiday season that otherwise would have been much less joyful.

All of this means that it is a very busy time for us at Wonder City in addition to the weekly ministry that takes place. Please keep us in constant prayer as we seek to fulfill the Biblical mandate to bring God and people together.

Good Food

I have to give props to a good friend of mine. Four years ago at the CCDA conference (2003) Matt taught me how to eat out when you travel to a city you are not familiar with. The key is to ask the hotel staff where you are staying where they (and the other locals) like to eat. A good place to start is with the concierge desk. From them you can pick up a map of the area (sometimes with the local restaurants already marked). That is exactly what I did yesterday when I got into St. Louis for the CCDA conference. The concierge told me that St. Louis is known for its Italian. That was a surprise to me. However, she told me about an Italian place call Charlie Gitto's about 2 blocks from the hotel. First, it wasn't listed on the map or dinning guide that I picked up from her. Second, it didn't look like a type of restaurant I would normally enter without a recommendation. I usually like the places that look professional. Third, it was very good Italian. So Matt, "Thank you!"

At CCDA Conference & Steve Harvey Video

I am in St. Louis for the CCDA conference. This is my fifth year in a row to attend this conference. It is always a great time to get away and hear from others doing urban ministry. The worship tonight was some of the best in the five years I have attended the conference. The speaker tonight was from the Dominican Republic and has a great message about the way things are done in the Kingdom of God verses the Empire (the world). I know that come Saturday afternoon I have to come down from this mountaintop experience and reenter the "real" world. In some ways I am already looking forward to that. There are some real opportunities awaiting me back in the greater Memphis area. I will share more about those in the future.

I also wanted to share a video clip that was used to kick off our evening and worship tonight. It is of Steve Harvey introducing Jesus. It was filmed at Atlanta's Phillips Arena at Bishop T.D. Jakes Megafest and is entilted "Don't Trip...He Ain't Through With Me Yet. I came back to my hotel room tonight and found it online. (Be patient--it may take a minute to load. But trust me it is worth it.)

MUM Marriage Retreat

September 28-30, Amy and I along with Troy and Linda Rodgers attended the 11th annual MUM Marriage Retreat in Gatlinburg, TN. While Amy and I benefited and enjoyed being there, the real story is the Rodgers. Linda Rodgers is one of Wonder City’s Servant Leaders and coordinates all of our mercy ministry. Troy Rodgers on the other hand rarely attends Wonder City or any church event. So, this was a big commitment for him to attend a marriage retreat over three days. I could tell on the van ride to Gatlinburg that Troy was a little nervous about it. Troy is quiet most of the time to begin with, but he was being extra quiet on the way. However, the games on Friday night loosened him up and he admitted that he was enjoying himself. The split session on Saturday’s was a “tear-jerking experience” for Linda and Troy. Both had to speak for two minutes and Linda had to admit that it was hard for her to be quiet during Troy’s two minutes to speak (which he started off by asking to be excused so he could blow his nose). However, when it came time for the couples to read their scripture it was Troy who read for him and Linda (because he wanted to read it). Amy and I spent some time Saturday evening with Troy and Linda walking up and down the main street through Gatlinburg—getting ice cream and fudge together. Both of them were very glad they came and were asking at the end of the weekend when the next marriage retreat is. Linda also said that she believes we will be seeing more of Troy around Wonder City.

Mountain Top Experience

(the following was written by my wife: Amy)

This past weekend Mack and I had the pleasure of attending Memphis Urban Minsitry’s annual marriage retreat. We along with Linda and Troy represented Wonder City at the retreat. While I can’t tell you about the sessions or what was said (because what happens at the marriage retreat stays at the marriage retreat), what a wonderful time it was to be in God’s presence in the mountains at the retreat with the other couples.. In similar style to the song Have you seen Jesus my Lord, “if you have ever stood on a mountaintop looking at the majestic view – then I say you’ve seen Jesus my Lord.” For Linda and Troy this was their first experience seeing mountains and attending a marriage retreat. While I know Linda well, this was my first opportunity to spend time with Troy. I found out that when he is on the 14th floor of a hotel he gets nervous. That his quiet reserve keeps him laid back and peaceful. That once you get to know him, he opens up and shares some of his story. More importantly I found out that he loves to have fun, he loves beautiful scenery, and he truly loves Linda. In spending more time with Linda, I found that she loves looking at the mountains, she loves worship, and she prays for God’s purpose in her life and in her marriage. While I went to the marriage retreat to focus inwardly on my own relationship with God and my relationship with Mack, I found myself taking the time to continue to build relationships with my brothers and sisters at the retreat. This past weekend I experienced a 9 hour van ride to some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. I experienced what it is like for someone to face their deepest fear, and was able to help that person through my trust and faith in God. I experienced what it is like to see God in the beauty of his creation. I experienced what it is like to strengthen relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I experienced what it is like to be moved by the spirit in worship. More than anything I experienced a deeper relationship with God by taking the time to focus on him in my life. I have stood on the mountain, in awe of the power of God, and prayed to God that he will continue to be my guide on my journey to the Mountain Top of my life. I encourage you to take the time to be still, to admire God’s beauty in people and in your life, to strengthen the relationships with your Christian family and to focus on the opportunities that lie ahead of you to deepen your relationship with God in your service to him.

All Good Things...

All good things must come to an end. Isn’t that how the expression goes? For the past two weeks I have been gone on vacation trying my absolute hardest not even to think about Wonder City or ministry. But here it is my first day back at work in two weeks. In some ways I am sad about that. I was enjoying my vacation and sitting at home doing absolutely nothing. On the other hand, I am glad to be back at work. Back doing what God has called me to do. Back to having purpose and direction for my days.

Someone asked me today if I have ever taken two weeks like that before. I never had. Almost ten years in ministry and over six years at Wonder City and I have never taken two straight weeks. That points to one of my issues—I am a workaholic. Not that I work 80 hours a week. But I will work multiple days and not take my days off. I will go and go and look back and realize that I have worked 28 out of 31 days in a month. That simply is not healthy. My workaholism comes out of a need for people’s approval. (“Look how hard Mack is working. He is doing such a good job.”) I am learning balance in my life and that I don’t have to be a workaholic to have people like me.

God created that balance. He gave Adam and Eve work (before the fall). Their job was to tend to the garden. But God also gave rest—he called it Sabbath. Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” God knows we need rest. God knows that many of us will not rest unless we are made too. God had brought me to a place where I had to rest. I am thankful for that rest. I am also thankful for what I am learning about balance.

Paying Attention

This week I have had several people asking me what happened to my head (I have sore right in the middle of my forehead). Sunday afternoon I was in Kroger picking up a few grocery items. I had just come from playing basketball with a group of friends from church. I was hot, sweaty, and very tired. One of the items that I needed was on the next to bottom shelf and on the back of the shelf. When I bent over to pick one up I banged my head on an impulse buy rack attached to the edge of the shelf a couple shelves up. It was clear hard plastic and I didn’t even see it until after it was too late. My head started bleeding and I quickly got what I needed and checked out. I was very thankful no employee asked me if I was ok, asked to fill out an incident report, or sign something stating I would not sue.

However, this got me thinking about how often I (and others) don’t pay attention. I can’t tell you how many times in a week I say the expression “if it was a snake it would have bit me/you” about an object right under my or someone else’s nose.

What I wonder most about is the number of things that God puts right under our nose that we miss. How many opportunities to practice some form of Christian service because we are only focused on ourselves, where we are going, and we have to get done? How many opportunities to share an encouraging word with a brother or sister who is down? How many opportunities to serve someone in need? How many opportunities to share Jesus with a non-believer? I truly hope that we are not so focused on ourselves that these missed opportunities come back to bite us (Matthew 25:31-46).

School Store & Denpendency

This week we held our annual back to school supply giveaway. We had 125 parents come through and pick up supplies for over 350 students. The few leftover supplies were donated to Maddox Elementary School.

This week’s school supply giveaway—while a great service to our community—has allowed me some time to reflect on the subject of dependency. One reason is that I knew there would be people whom I never see except for at our giveaways who would walk through our doors yesterday. Additionally, we have had one of our founding families recently walk away due to the churches’ unwillingness to continue to support their dependency issues. It breaks my heart when I see people who are so dependent on others they will do nothing for themselves. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time to break the cycles of poverty and dependency. However, it is possible. While at the School Store on Thursday I heard a success story. A young lady who attended WC as a teenager (but hasn’t been around for about 4 years) will be entering her senior year at University of Central Arkansas (Conway) next week. She will graduate next spring with a teacher’s degree. She has also made it this far without having a baby. In fact her family member who was giving me this information told me that she said, “I don’t have time for a baby.” I don’t know to what extent the time she was at Wonder City has helped her achieve her life goals and break some of those cycles of dependency for herself (and hopefully her children). However, what I do know is that it is possible.

Young Men Stepping Up

For the past couple of months a couple of guys have been coming on Wednesday nights and teaching our teen boys. This past week one of them informed me that they have been talking about leadership, specifically as it relates to leading in the worship services. This past Wednesday he went through each part of the worship service and asked which of our young men could lead in that area of worship. Most have already been doing things like prayer, scripture reading, and passing Lord’s Supper. So they had no problem saying they could do those things. However, when it came to the areas of preaching and leading worship our young men were slower to respond. However, eventually someone did step up and say that was an area they could lead in. As a result, we are now planning on our young men completely leading our worship service on Sunday, August 5th. We are also looking into them going to Earle, AR (about 15 minutes from West Memphis) and leading their evening worship service on a Sunday evening. Please be praying for our young men as they prepare and lead services, August 5th. I will let you know how it goes.

NACC, Live from KC

Last week I attended the North American Christian Church Convention in Kansas City. This was probably been the best convention that I have ever attended. The Independent Christian Churches know how to do a convention. I learned so much from the classes. Even the exhibitors were great. I gained so much from them, including some new ideas to try in urban ministry.

However, the largest benefit from being there last week was the personal renewal. It was good just to be away from the daily routine of ministry, the pressures, the tasks, the crisis, and spend some time being fed. I came to the conference ready to leave full-time paid ministry. I was ready to transition to another career (I have been thinking education). However, even after the opening session on Tuesday evening I was hearing God’s call on my life to stay in ministry.

The amazing thing behind all of this is, that a few weeks ago, I started sharing with Amy about changing careers and investigating what it would take to get a non-traditional certification to teach Jr. and Sr. High Social Studies and History. She responded by saying something about my stress level and even burnout, having carried the load at Wonder City alone for the past 11 months. I don’t remember her exact words, but whatever they were it was not what I wanted to hear. I did not get the supportive wife that I was looking for. I wanted her to say, “Honey, if that is what you believe God is calling you to, then I will support you one-hundred percent. How can I help you?” Now I believe she was probably right (as much as I hate to admit that). In fact, there have been several times throughout our marriage that I believe she has been closer to the heart of God and in tune with what God wanted for us than I was. (For those of you who don’t know that is a hard fact for a pastor to accept).

I know that I will be right back where I was at in a very short time if two things don’t change. First, and most importantly, I have to change. I have to return home and do some things differently. There are many things that I have the ability to change, which have the potential to affect my sanity and stability in ministry. If I return to West Memphis and don’t do things differently then how can expect a different result. I have heard the definition of insanity as doing the same things over and over again expecting a different result. If I want something different, then I must do something different. And I want something different.

Second, I do need ministry help at Wonder City (and soon)! No matter how many things I change, ministry (and especially urban ministry) is not meant to be done alone. Jesus surrounded himself with twelve disciples. When he sent them out he didn’t send them out alone. He sent them two by two (Mark 6:7). I need my ministry partner. Thankfully, God has recently sent a couple of prospects my (our) way that I have engaged at various levels, for different roles at Wonder City. It is my hope that God will actually provide one of these individuals (if not two or more).

Thank you, Father, for this time of renewal and reflection. May you continue to bless me and Wonder City.

Uplift

This week I am at Uplift (a Christian camp at Harding University; ) with teens from Wonder City and Missouri Street. It has been 11 years since I was last at Uplift. I came last (and for the first time) back in 1996 when I was a summer intern in south Arkansas. It was the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of college. I only brought 3 kids with me. This time it is a little different. Wonder City has 17 youth here this week. Combined with the MOST group there are over 70 teens and sponsors here. Needless to say, things are a little different.

However, our teens are having a blast. They are loving the free time and learning a lot. Like other youth groups we have had our nuckelhead moments. But it has been stuff that has been realatively minor.

However, the best part about Uplift so far has been the connection to the teens. Kyle (Missouri Street youth minister) told me several times about how it is the best thing he does all summer because of the way kids open up and talk about the junk in their lives and the sins they are struggling with during this week. I have been amazed at how true that has been with the Wonder City kids as well. This week (so far) at least three students have shared deeply with me from their hearts about stuff going on. This is stuff that they have NEVER shared with anyone else. Additionally, the kids have been sharing their angers and other emotions they don't get to share back at home. It has truly been a blessed week.

I have lots of pictures to upload when I get home and will share some of those and further reflections later this week.

Memphis Workcamp 2007

I am continually amazed at our young people’s willingness to serve. This week Wonder City had 10 teens (plus my sister) who joined the 17 from Missouri Street by working in the hot muggy weather at Memphis Workcamp painting houses. Here are some pictures from the week.

Addicted

Addicted is a word that is typically not associated with positive attributes. We typically associate addictions as harmful, negative, and devastating aspects of a habit that can not easily be reversed. Recently, I have been a witness to the positive side of being addicted. For a couple of weeks now there has been a ladies class on Monday night called “More than Sisters” at Missouri Street Church. Several Wonder City Members have become part of this class. While I have planned to attend, I have yet to have the opportunity. However, I have received phone calls about the “addictiveness” of this class. Phrases like “Oooh, you need to come to this class,” and “I can’t believe how I love going to this class,” are spoken as encouragement for others at Wonder City to attend. Last Wednesday night, the ladies that are attending were so pumped up, they were excited about being able to share, laugh, and learn about God in a way that is truly focused on Women in Christ, who struggle in today’s world. Linda even stated that she was going to hate missing a class, but in the event that she missed, she would get the materials from anyone who is willing to share. She even stated that she herself is “addicted” to this class. Being able to bring ladies, of all ages and backgrounds, together is an awesome thing. I know that every Monday night, God looks down and smiles because his power is creating an addiction that is positive and it is consuming the ladies at Wonder City who have made the decision to be “More than Sisters.”

Written by: Amy McFarland

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One of the amazing aspects of this ladies class on Monday nights has been the Acts 2:42-47 nature of the class. It has been reported to me that one of the things the class hopes to do is take care of the needs within the class. Participants have the opportunity to write prayer requests and needs on a card. Then as the class has the means and ability to address the needs, they are taken care of. Last week—right as Amy and I were preparing to leave for vacation—the class facilitator called me and told me they were going to take care of a need that a Wonder City participant had. This is an older lady who lives in an old apartment that does not have central heat and air. Her window AC unit had gone out. She put on her prayer card that God would provide an AC. The group from the class found not one, but two units for her. When they called to set up delivery, they discovered they were too late. God had already provided two units through a family member. God showed up and he showed out! This is just the tip of the iceberg of what I have been hearing that God is doing through this group of ladies. True Christian community is being formed and is having an impact.

A Success Story?

It is too early to know just how much of an impact has been made this past school year. Through the quiet generosity of several individuals a 2nd grader from Wonder City was able to attend West Memphis Christian this school year. Earlier this week we received a note from her teacher, telling us the great progress this student made academically. Her reading level has gone from 1.3 to 2.3! While she is still slightly behind where she needs to be—she has progressed a whole reading level during the course of a school year. She has also completed 13 levels on Math Facts in a Flash. However, I believe that her accomplishments academically pale in comparison to what has been accomplished spiritually. After school every day she has been coming to the church office to wait on her day care van to pick her up. For the past couple of weeks (at least that is how long I have heard her) she has been signing Christian songs like Sanctuary and Someday. Here is a young girl, singing “Oh Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary…” all on her own. She doesn’t care who is around or who hears her! This combination of education and love of Jesus is exactly what it will take to break the cycles of poverty in the lives of many served by Wonder City. Sadly, at this point this child’s mother has decided to return her to public school next year. It is my hope and prayer that God will take this one year and use it as a base that will propel her throughout the rest of her life. But, I am also praying that her mother changes her mind!

"New" Worship Space

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, some men from Missouri Street's Just Brother's Monday night men's Bible study group came to Wonder City April 21, for a service project to improve our worship facility. I finally have the pictures together to share. Here are the before pictures of what the building used to look like.

These are the pictures from the men working at the building. (some pictures were taken with a disposable camera and are not the best quality)

Finally, the "finished" project (some things still need finished--however, it is much better than what is was before). A special thanks to Lyndal Dale, Don Hilburn, and David Arnold for coming down everyday the following week to finish up. Also a special thanks to the C.I.A. (Christianity In Action) group who came this past Sunday and did even more work.

Combined Worship

Sunday, April 22, was a great day for Wonder City and Missouri Street—we held our first ever combined worship service. The worship service itself I can’t describe. This was not the first time I have been in a Church of Christ that has intentionally held services with a congregation of a different predominate race that sought to appeal to both cultures. The worship in that setting is something that simply has to be experienced. God was in the house that morning! I know that God is always in the worship of his people—but there are those days and times where you know it more than because that is simply what you believe, you know it because you experienced it. That is exactly what happened almost two weeks ago. We worshiped and enjoyed a fellowship meal together. Christians who normally don’t associate with each other from different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds were together worshipping their Lord and sharing life together. I still have not stopped hearing positive things about worship that Sunday morning from both Missouri Street members and Wonder City members. Praise God for tearing barriers down.