Christmas Store

We had our annual Christmas Store this past Saturday. The Christmas Store is an event where people from our community can come and purchase toys and gifts for their children at 25% of the regular cost. We receive our toys and gifts from our partnership with Memphis Urban Ministry. They receive them from churches and individuals across the Memphis area who care about the poor and want to ensure they have a blessed Christmas as well. We had 63 individuals come through this year and purchased gifts for 258 children. This outreach allows these families to purchase toys for their own kids at affordable prices without forcing them to accept another handout that strips them of their dignity. Here are some pictures from this past Saturday.

Growth

The next couple of weeks I will spend some time reflecting out loud about my time at Wonder City. It is hard to believe that I only have two more weeks left at Wonder City after being here seven years. One of the things I that I have noticed the most over that time is the growth that has taken place at Wonder City. Seven years ago (back when I was a lowly apprentice) when Chris (the minister who founded Wonder City and whom I originally worked under) would bring up an issue with the church members to discuss they would usually automatically defer to whatever Chris thought. They had a hard time understanding and grasping that this was their church and they had ownership in the church. They had a right and a duty to help make decisions and shape the future and direction of the church. Now we have Servant Leaders. Spiritual ladies who help make decisions that affect the church. Even when an issue is taken to all the adults they don’t have a problem any more telling me what they think (without deferring to my judgment). An example is a couple months ago I had ordered some curriculum for the Wednesday adult class. After going through the first book, I had several adults let me know they didn’t like it and they thought it was under where they were. So I returned the remaining books and we started something different. This past Wednesday they let me know they like what we are now studying.

You may be reading this and not see anything significant about it. However, this is a huge step for the poor and depressed. They are used to having their lives acted upon and being told what to do. The government tells them where they can and cannot live, how much food stamp money they will receive, and the list goes on. As a result they lose any sense of ownership (even over their own lives). So when someone comes along and gives them a choice and sincerely wants their input, they don’t know what to do with that. Therefore they will usually defer to the one asking the question. Consequently learning the ability to regain ownership and no longer be a victim in one area (such as church) means they have learned a skill they can transfer into the other areas of their lives (schooling, housing, etc.). This is also a key to breaking the cycles of poverty. Adults who take responsibility and ownership of their lives can pass that trait and ability on to their children.

Wonder City has undergone tremendous growth over the past several years. This is just one example. There is not enough time or space to discuss them all.

C3 Live!

Some friends of mine have started a Christian band and this past Saturday night they had their first concert. It Although it really wasn't a concert. However, they are not a worship band either. But it was worship; complete with worship videos and Christian messages (through the videos and songs). It is hard to describe what it was--and is. C3 is not the name of the band, but of the event. It stands for Christian Community Cafe. They set the place up like a coffee house and even had free coffee and cookies for everyone.

The guys who are in the group are from across various denominational lines. For their first show(and only six practices) it was great! For now they are planning on playing every first Saturday of the month. They are hoping to add more in the future.

Update on Jeremy

Quick Summary: Jeremy Smith was transferred from the MED to a rehab facility in Truman, AR last week. However, he developed an infection in his feeding tube and was taken to the hospital in Jonesboro, AR. At this time he is being quarantined.

More Info: Jeremy has made some great improvements-including sitting up (ability to stay awake for extended periods) and talking. All glory is to God. I was with the family when the doctors told Linda (his mom) he would not survive and was brain dead. Although Jeremy has an infection (which they believe he contracted while at the MED) and is currently quarantined , they do not believe it is life-threatening. Because the infection is connected to his feeding tube, Jeremy has not be feed for three days. They don't know if the infection is just around the stomach or if it is in the stomach as well. Jeremy has still not started to eat anything by mouth again yet. All food is being given through the feeding tube. Please continue to pray for Jeremy and his family.

More Football Reflections

I was shocked this past weekend when both WV and Mizzuo lost throwing the BCS into complete disarray (just one more reason why a playoff of some kind is needed). I expected OK to beat Mizzuo, but I did not expect WV to lose to Pitt! What a crazy college football season. I am glad to see that an SEC team is playing for the National Championship. Go Tigers!

Additionally, I did not expect (but very glad to see) Alabama get a bowl game. With so many SEC teams bowl eligible, I expected the Tide to get left out with a 6-6 record. I thought we would need at least a 7-5 record to go bowling. I will be watching on Dec 30th as Bama plays Colorado in the Independence Bowl. Roll Tide!

SEC Football Reflections

Well, Bama did lose this past weekend. Oh well! I can't say that I am completely surprised considering the way the team has been playing recently.

On the other hand there were two things that have completely surprised me in the SEC recently. First, Arkansas beat LSU! I would have never predicted that. I thought for sure that LSU was going to come out focused and take care of business knowing that losing would end their national championship hopes. Let me say for the record that I hate the overtime system in college football. It may work well for other conferences and teams in the NCAA, but not the SEC. Every season there multiple games that go 3+ overtime periods in SEC play (both games LSU has lost this year were 3+ overtime loses). The SEC teams beat each other up and are just too good. Giving teams the ball on the 25 yard line practically guarantees a score each possession. I don't know that they need to play a whole overtime period equal to a regular quarter of play, but I do believe some kind of timed overtime period that is fully played (no sudden death) is what is needed. Maybe something in the eight to ten minute range with fourth quarter rules applying. Each team could receive 2 timeouts. If the game is still tied at the end of the overtime period, then allow the game to end in a tie. Ties could be factored into the BCS and would definately make the current system even more interesting (although I am also for a playoff system-but that is another post for another time).

Second, living in Arkansas I have constantly heard the dissatisfaction with coach Nutt and the desire of the fans to have a new head coach. There were some that doubted the U of AR would let him go since he just signed an extension (before this season if I remember correctly). Also, all he has done is win at the U of AR. He has not been a bad coach with a losing record. So, I was surprised when he resigned from the Razorbacks and headed to Oxford, MS to be the new head coach at Ole Miss. People around here are glad he is gone. I will be very interested next season when the AR-Ole Miss game comes up on the schedule. That rivalry will now be more intensive than ever.

Cool New Tool & Bama

I like this new feature on blogger where I can put a poll out there and get everyone's feedback. I have decided my first poll will be a football poll. I am a big Alabama fan! I can't believe we lost to LA-Monroe this weekend. However, after two straight loses, redemption is coming this weekend in the form of Auburn--our arch enemy. The Tide will be hungry and looking to show everyone that we are deserving of a bowl. Tell me what you think and vote--will Bama beat Auburn this weekend?

The Right Time

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 talks about how there is a time and a season for every activity on earth. It was the summer of 2000 when I was attending Harding Graduate School that I took the Urban Ministry class and was first introduced to Memphis Urban Ministry. That began the process for me (and Amy) to move from the boot heel of Missouri (where I was a pulpit minister) to come to the Memphis area and work at Wonder City. Amy and I moved here January 6, 2001 and began working at Wonder City on February 1, 2001. Although things were financially difficult for us for a while that was the right time for us. The past six plus years have been very rewarding for us and we would not give up this experience for anything.

However, now it is time for me to move on from Wonder City. This past September the elders at Missouri Street asked me to look at whether I was the right person to lead Wonder City long term considering it would only be a one person ministry for a while. After Amy and I both retook the Uniquely You personality profiles, had a couple of career consulting sessions and met with several other individuals along with much prayer, it was obvious that my gifts and personality would be best used by God in another role. Because of our love for Wonder City (and Missouri Street) this decision was not made lightly and was very difficult.

During this time I was also presented with the opportunity to become the Director of Development for Memphis Urban Ministry This new job will allow me to work more out my spiritual gifts than where I am currently as the minister of Wonder City. This new job will also allow me to continue to work for the future success of Wonder City (along with all the other urban churches) again by focusing my time and energy on those areas where God has gifted me. At this time there are still a few final steps that need to be taken to fully secure this new position, however, I fully believe this new position is God’s will.

The elders and I are still working towards determining an actual last day—probably at the end of the year. The work at Wonder City is God’s work (Eccles. 3:14). It was not my ministry. It is God’s ministry and I fully believe that he will continue to what he has been doing to reach those to whom Wonder City appeals and reaches out to. The elders have also reassured me and the Wonder City members that they are still very much behind the ministry at Wonder City and will work to find a new minister for Wonder City.

For those who financially support me in my work at Wonder City I will be contacting you within the next couple of weeks to talk with you more fully as your continued support will be a key to my success in my new role. To everyone I covet your prayers both for Amy and I and Wonder City during this time of transition. God Bless.

More on Jeremy

The latest news from Linda (Jeremy’s mom) is that he is slowly improving. This past Sunday they medical staff had Jeremy up and in a chair for a couple of hours. That was the most he could tolerate before they had to move him back to his bed. They still have him somewhat sedated, but not as much as before. They are hopeful that Jeremy can be moved to a room where they will be able to visit him at any time (verses designated times only) soon.

Sorry for the delay with the news. I have been sick the past couple of days with a sinus infection. I am better today after going to the doctor yesterday.

Highs and Lows

This past Sunday, Wonder City experience the high of a baptism. A 17-year-old young man who goes by A.V. was baptized. This baptism has been a long time coming. This young man has attended Wonder City for several years with his family. He has struggled with the idea of having to get his life together before giving his life to God. That is one of the biggest reasons I hear people give in the neighborhood for not becoming a Christian--having to wait to become a Christian until they take care of their sins. They have a hard time grasping that is what Jesus does when we give our lives to him. Finally a few weeks ago (just before Jeremy was shot) A.V. called me and told me he wanted to be baptized. Which we did this past Sunday.

However, this high was followed by a low on Monday evening when this same young man was arrested for shoplifting. His mom dropped him off at the grocery store to get some food and the next thing she knows he is being escorted out in handcuffs by a police man. According to A.V. the reason he was shoplifting was to get out of the gang which he belonged and this was what they required to get "jumped out." He spent Monday night in jail and had a court appearance on Wednesday morning.

Life is often messy in urban environments where the desire to do the right thing and peer pressure to do otherwise is often much stronger than anything I have ever personally experienced. I don't know what exactly is ahead of this young man as he deals with his legal issues, but I hope that he learns from this experience. I also hope that he is telling the truth and he was trying to get out of the gang since he had given his life to Jesus.

More on Jeremy

I have not heard any news in the past couple of days. I am assuming that everything is about the same. The one new piece of information I have is that when the doctors did the surgery to remove his left eye they did not have to remove the whole eye. They were able to leave the part of the eye that allows movement. Therefore, should he survive and is fitted with a glass eye, it will be able to move and look more natural. I will continue to post new information as it becomes available.

News on Jeremy

I apologize for it being a couple of days since I have updated the information on Jeremy.

On Friday, Jeremy had surgery to remove a piece of his skull. The pressure in his head had started to climb again so they needed to make more room for his brain to be able to swell and still allow the pressure in his head to remain lower. It was determined in that surgery on Friday that Jeremy was shot in the left eye as opposed to his mouth as originally thought. There was no damage to the eye lid itself indicating that the eye was open when he was shot. Reasoning that most people close their eyes if they are going to shot oneself seems to indicate that Jeremy was shot by someone else instead of it being a self inflicted gunshot wound. Jeremy was moved to the Neurological Unit where he will get even more and specialized attention than being in the Trauma Critical Care Unit where he was at.

Over the weekend the two major issues continued to be pressure inside his head and his temperature. Since being shot and entering the hospital both of these have fluctuated—sometimes wildly. Over the weekend his temperature was as high as 104 degrees and on Monday was at 102.

Today Jeremy was supposed to have another surgery to remove his left eye. The damage was too great to have any hope of saving his eye. As of this posting I have not heard any news today on his condition or how the surgery went.

The doctors have not changed his odds of survival—they are still 50/50. It is still a mater or time and prayer. They are doing all they can for him, but if he survives it will be a long slow road that he travels. Thank you for your continued prayers for Jeremy and his family. I know they appreciate them.

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.