They come from across the Middle East — Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine — and the Sudan in Africa. All are refugees, some political, some religious. They have come to the U.S. seeking a better life and safety. The name of this gathering is Salam Church (“peace” in both Arabic and Farsi) and they are meeting [...]
Archive for the ‘Neighbors and Community’ Category
Salam Arabic Outreach
April 15, 2010Urban Faith
April 12, 2010http://www.urbanfaith.com/index.html See a hard-hitting video at: http://www.urbanfaith.com/video/2009/10/black-nation.html
Latino Leadership Circle
April 12, 2010Latino Leadership Circle (LLC) is a cohort of emerging ministers dedicated to theological reflection, mutual support, and social justice. Among the deep convictions of the LLC is that we have voice representing emerging Latinas and Latinos in the body of Christ. We feel called to find a nexus of understanding within our bi-cultural and spiritual [...]
Celebration of Hope
April 11, 2010Join us in fighting poverty and securing justice during Willowcreek’s Celebration of Hope. Information available at: http://www.willowcreek.org/coh/
Willowcreek Messages
April 11, 2010Missed a message, or just curious about what is preached at Willowcreek Community Church? Tune in to the most recent messages at: http://www.willowcreek.org/mediaplayer/playerHome.aspx?cid=3&id=14 Check out the inspiring Easter message and today’s moving message on Biblical Justice. Many others also availible in online podcasts.
Breaking Ground Ministry
April 11, 2010Breaking Ground is a faith community characterized by grace and truth that seeks and develops those who desire to become instruments of lasting change in their community. Vision Breaking Ground is a mission-driven not for profit organization building strong inner city communities through self-sustaining entrepreneurial programs and services. We are a comprehensive community development corporation [...]
Gang Video
April 11, 2010View this video made by Chicago youths about gang violence at: http://www.ctvnetwork.org/shynot-productions.html
Lynne Hybels’ Blog
April 8, 2010Thoughts from Christian Activist and wife of Willowcreek pastor Bill Hybels. Her thought-provoking website is found at: http://lynnehybels.blogspot.com/
Tea with Hezbollah
April 8, 2010Brief reviews of a must-read book for those who want to understand the Muslim view of America and Christianity. Get the reviews at: http://backseatwriter.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/book-review-tea-with-hezbollah-by-ted-dekker-carl-medearis/ http://www.crosswalk.com/11626357/ Also see Carl Medearis’ website at: http://www.carlmedearis.com/
Test Your Knowledge on Race
April 7, 2010How Many of These Questions Can You Answer? 1. List as many African American “firsts” as you can. 2. Describe the history of White Privilege in America. 3. Define colonization and tell how colonization affects various cultures of people. 4. Define the “one drop rule”. 5. Define in 5 sentences or more the term “one [...]
Bridging the Racial Divide
April 7, 2010Carl Ellis takes a look at how Christians have tried to Bridge the Racial Divide, the results, and some further ideas on how we might now approach that daunting task: http://arloasutter.com/Bridging_the_Racial_Divide
How Islam is Winning Black America
April 7, 2010An older but revealing and thought-provoking examination of how the failure of the church has encouraged the growth of Islam within the Black community http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/april3/27.52.html
Divided by Faith
April 7, 2010This book provides a very interesting and thought-provoking look at the Evangelical response to racisim in America. Here are two reviews: Amazon.com Review Divided by Faith by Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith has an ingenious, troubling argument. “[E]vangelicals desire to end racial division and inequality, and attempt to think and act accordingly. But, in the [...]
Code of the Streets
April 7, 2010This is an original and worthwhile study that builds an understanding of a culture and set of values that is challenging to comfortable middle class sensibilities. There is an underclass culture out there with different and more immediate priorities, morals and horizons. Elijah Anderson has opened that door and described a model that is certainly [...]
Under the Overpass
April 7, 2010This is an extraordinary book about homelessness and poverty by a young man who left the safety of school and family to experience the life of homelessness and poverty that so many people are facing today. A really good and interesting read. Find the book at: http://www.goodmanson.com/church/under-the-overpass-a-journey-of-faith-on-the-streets-of-america/ A seperate website for updates on this experience [...]
California Newsreel
April 1, 2010Not a Christian film group, but one with a powerful message about race and ethnicity. Find their website at: http://www.newsreel.org/nav/title.asp?tc=CN0149
The House that Grace Built
March 26, 2010Each year the Lake County Jail releases approximately 1,000 women back into our community. Ninety percent are single moms; 59% do not have high school diplomas, 47% are homeless (or have no positive, crime free place to return to) and only 20% had minimum wage jobs prior to incarceration. Without positive intervention many of these ladies will return [...]
Arloa Sutter and Breakthrough Urban Ministries
March 18, 2010Expanded repeat of an earlier post. Arloa Sutter is the Founder and Executive Director of Breakthrough Urban Ministries. Breakthrough restores broken networks by providing neighborhood-based holistic services to individuals and families in Chicago’s East Garfield Park community. For more information on Arloa Sutter and Breakthrough Urban Ministries please go to: http://www.breakthrough.org/ and http://arloasutter.com/
Fellowship Housing
December 30, 2009Here is a wonderful program in Hoffman Estates that serves homeless and at-risk moms and their. These are moms in need of need of housing, support, serving, and most importantly, hope. Its a very worthwhile program in need of both moral and financial support. You can find further information at the following website. http://www.fhcmoms.org/
Dismantling Racism
December 9, 2009Dismanling Racism by Joseph Barndt, Author. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Books, 1991.Here is a book about racism in America, written “for white people and about white people . . . by a white person.” Joseph Barndt, defining racism as “prejudice plus power,” asserts that efforts against racism have often been incorrectly focused on minority populations rather [...]
Way of the Master
December 9, 2009Way of the Master is a website intended to help Christians to share their faith with non-believers. It contains articles, videos, resources, and training that may be useful in preparing people to share Christ in a powerful and effective way. The site, originated by Ray Comfort, can be found at: http://www.wayofthemaster.com/
The Everyday Club
December 9, 2009This is an interesting blog that may help readers discover new and creative ways to share their faith. Members are dedicated to telling someone about Jesus and the saving grace of God every day. The blog relates the stories of recent conversations members have had with random people about their spiritual beliefs and the Biblical [...]
Cornwall Alliance and “Global Warming”
November 17, 2009There has been much written about the issue of “Global Warming” so there is not much need to publicize the prolific writings of those who support that position. There are, however, many scientists, economists, and theologians who dissent from that view. With that in mind, I present a second opinion that needs to be considered. The Cornwall Alliance [...]
GoSo: The Beauty of Serving Others.
October 15, 2009GOSO provides hope, stability and opportunity to Youth offenders. A caring place where dedicated volunteers serve as role models and programs are provided that empower our youth to succeed in an ever changing world to avoid the cycle of release and re-arrest. http://www.letsgoso.org/
Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
October 15, 2009An interesting group whose call is to social justice. They see their mission as articulating the biblical call to social justice, inspiring hope and building a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church, and the world.ee their website at: http://www.sojo.net/
Men at the Cross
October 15, 2009Men at the Cross is a revolution that seeks to answer the call of the great commission in America and the world by equipping and empowering every committed believer to “Love a man to Jesus until he’s ready to love another man to Jesus.” http://www.menatthecross.org/
Flourish: An Environmental Group
October 15, 2009Environmentalism from a Biblical Perspective. Go to: http://flourishonline.org/
National Gang Center
October 8, 2009A national means of tracking gang activity: http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/Gang-Related-News
Love Is An Orientation
May 29, 2009Love Is An Orientation offers a thought-provoking look at the relationship between Evangelical Christians and our gay neighbors. The book is bound to generate some emotional responses on both sides, but this is a book worth reading for those on both sides of the issue. The book was discussed on WMBI (Moody’s station) during a [...]
The Hole in Our Gospel: A MUST read
May 5, 2009This is an amazing book about what God expects from us who claim to be followers of Jesus. A MUST READ book for every person who claims to be a Christian. Find the official site at: http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/ Endorsements: http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/endorsements/ Read an interview with Dr. Richard Stearns, president of World Vision. http://blog.sojo.net/2009/04/24/the-hole-in-our-gospel-interview-with-world-visions-richard-stearns/ A Book Review: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-the-hole-in-our/
