Archive for March, 2010

The Untamed Movement – A New Chapter Begins

Friday, March 26th, 2010

At this point in my life, I feel as though I am living the destiny intended for me since high school.  I can’t tell you how many times I was kicked out of class, caused trouble, and just all around stirred up things up chanting my favorite mantra, “question authority.”  Before my graduation, my principal called me in just to warn me that if I tried anything, I would never see my diploma.

Yet, at the same time, I read hundreds of books about God.  I would yes, tell the universe :) , that I wanted to know the truth and let others know the truth.

I was untamed.

About 25 years later I have found myself again – both the tame and the not tame in one person – as I have hit the streets with Jesus to see what is out there, and to bring others with me.  I could not have asked for bigger things than what I am getting to witness now, primarily because of the faithfulness of fellow Jesus followers to take the plunge, the risk, the leap of the high dive.

The movement is on its way – with churches joining in, with the wiles of the Westmont revolutionaries, with folks even of no Jesus orientation yet with a determination to serve.  Shalom seems to call for everyone.  I love it!

And so, after a week with Westmont students covering the city in prayer and service, the team extends itself in unbelievable ways.  Eleven Westmont students want to intern on the West Side this summer.  Five individuals are interested in working with me for at least a year through Christian Associates International.

To top it off – God gave us free access into the Carrillo Apartments to begin a brand new movement of love!

And Rich and I begin a new initiative in April to reach the late night life on State Street downtown.  A team is developing for this as well, where we can journey in pubs and bars together, extending friendship and grace to a new sub-culture.

We are untamed and ready to go!

So, this Wednesday, Alan and Deb Hirsch will be in Santa Barbara to be the untamed duo with us (they just published a book by that name!)… you have to know that Alan Hirsch has helped me tremendously.  His books Shaping of Things to Come and The Forgotten Ways gave me the blueprint for developing a “movement.”  And Deb Hirsch is an inspiration of love and truth.  You always feel loved, but not necessarily safe!

There are great challenges ahead – trying to get a family into a motor home and out of their van; helping a friend get into teen challenge and detox; helping a West Side family fill an empty fridge… but the God who is love is able – this is what I have witnessed.

Thanks to all of you who have prayed, given financially, given your time, joined the movement.  Our God is hearing the cries of the poor in our city.

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Westmont Spring Break in Santa Barbara

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

This is the blog of honor for Westmont students who have been in our city all week, bringing shalom!  Thanks to the 60 or so who have served the people on the edge…

Highlights -

*Seeing Westmont students, Village residents, Carrillo residents enjoying Sarinna’s home made tamales in the parking lot outside the village.  What a wonderful sight!  Kids running around playing, conversations happening all around a great meal.  These are the parables I like to see and live.  And, we had a break through conversation with Carrillo moms, asking us to come over and talk with them about how they can have what they see at the Village come to Carrillo.  This happened because Westmont joined us.

*At the art project at Pershing Park last night, seeing friends on the street get to communicate via paint to the city.  And, seeing that most of what they had to say was positive.  One friend told me that he found a whole new avenue of life within himself after painting.  Another friend painted while telling me he was on his way to detox and then teen challenge.  The art project was Emily’s idea – a Westmont student.

*Team of students are prayer walking the entire city (well, just about!)… and finding new places where God might want to bring people into the love mission.  I am hearing about new spots in the city where we may be able to go and dwell long term.  Students are also praying the whole week.  This will surely open new doors for the peace of God.

*I also see long term missional leadership developing, as Westmonters (?) want to continue this way of life after the week.  We are talking about internships and also ways I can help them continue mission when they go back home for the summer or to new cities after graduation.  I am bugging them alot about finding ways to remain in this way of life after the week is over so it is not forgotten.

*One passion of mine has been to kindle like a St Francis flame, and bring the holistic gospel back to the streets directly.  I have seen students this week learn how to meet people on the streets and befriend, leading to long term redemptional relationship.  Once people learn how to talk to friends on the streets, they can do it in any city.  Friends on the streets are no longer invisible when this becomes a reality to people groups.

*So, I could write much, much more, and will do so again at the end of the week.  But, for now, thanks Westmont for allowing these friends to come and thanks to the students for taking the risk!

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Shalom

Friday, March 5th, 2010

I just returned after about 11 days in Portugal with friends from Christian Associates International.  It was, for me, the best Summit ever with my friends.

I come away meditating on Shalom…

Some highlights – getting to share about my friends on the streets with all my CA brothers and sisters, meeting new friends and having good talks in the night life spots of Portugal, getting to see my young Russian kingdom creating friends, beating Katya in a game of pool :) , encountering controversy (not too serious) but being in the middle of forward thinking for the kingdom, getting into Lisbon and going to the castle as well as a late night with friends on the beach…

So, shalom?

I have alot of study to do, but seems like we are here to bring the incredible peace of God to our cities.  Check Jeremiah 29:4-7 out!

4 “This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

The idea is Shalom – holistic well being.  Emotional.  Physical.  Psychological.  Spiritual.

You cannot neglect one, you must embrace them all.

And so, we start in the sub-cultures in our city where no one else wants to go (though, that is changing!)  There are brave souls who have love at the center – and the way is opening for shalom – strong and powerful peace.

We are in the middle of conversations in my organization – somewhere between church planting and kingdom creating.  I am interested in kingdom creating, and if churches happen to support it, then I am behind it.  And, I think we can raise up an army of loving kingdom creators.

In one week, 70 Westmont students will be entering the city to become kingdom creators, bringing shalom to whoever they might meet.  They are taking their spring break to bless the city.  Jeremiah 29 in action!

The Uffizi will enter a new phase as this word is embraced fully – and the work will be both difficult and wonderful.  Peace Making in the sense of shalom takes us to a whole new level – but if we persevere these “exiles” will see peace.  It will be worth it.

I look forward to it.

Jeff

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