The Good News in Cleveland

Almost a year ago to date, a family consisting of a 20-year old with her infant son, her 15-year old brother, and her mother, walked into our Saturday service at meal time desperate for food. Throughout the course of that evening, I (Julia) had the opportunity to connect with the 20-year old and was able to invite her to attend our Girls' Night ministry the following Thursday. She attended Girls' Night and is still attending Shoreway faithfully. In the past year, she has become homeless and separated from her family as they are spread throughout Cleveland. In addition to this, her 17-year old sister has gotten pregnant and is due in the next month. Throughout all of this, we have been given a unique opportunity to share the gospel to her and her family. Last night was a big moment in ministering to this family as we threw the 17-year old a shower celebrating the life of her baby girl. Though none of the girl's friends chose to attend, we had fun with the 13 family membe...

We had the opportunity to fellowship with and host visiting missionaries from Sevilla, Spain this weekend. The Puente Family are church planters in inner-city Sevilla with a heart and vision much like that of CityView. In sharing our ministries on the west side and downtown with them, we were encouraged by their excitement for how the gospel in going forth here in Cleveland. Already, they have begun connecting us with like-minded inner-city church planters throughout the states who can serve as resources and encouragements to us. Please be praying for the Puente family as they finish up their visit here in America and return to Spain.

Pray for middle schoolers and high schoolers at Camp Patmos this week. 11 teens from CityView are there plus 4 serving at the camp this summer from our church. This would not be possible without those who gave money to scholarship our teens. I have a personal relationship with each of the teens we took, but I couldn’t say with confidence that a single one has a relationship with God. This is not a secret I keep from them. I post now in the hopes of someday reporting on decisions made this week. How awesome it would be for any of these 11 to someday read this and reflect on the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. May the Spirit work in hearts through the camp staff through the gospel preaching of Pastor Dave Burman he speaks. Dave is one through whom God has definitely worked in my life - he was my youth pastor when I was a teen at First Baptist Church in Elyria, Ohio!

So much basketball. Last night we had 16 young men cram into the living room to watch the Cavs. Today it was more hoops in the afternoon and then food and church starting at 6p. I just came in from a late-night showdown. Basketball has become a platform for connecting with people in Cleveland for the cause of Christ; several of these connections have deepened into ongoing relationships. It seems like a week never goes by that someone new isn't hearing the gospel in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood. The downtown is still ministry central for CityView. After having our main service in a hotel for around 8 years, we are excited about the possibility of leasing a long-term location. (I am also excited about laying to rest a long-term labor of love: completely setting up and tear-down church before and after every service.) The new spot would feature a storefront presence near Prospect Ave. and E. 9th St. and would be connected to a residential high-rise in which we already have a Bi...

When the rubber meets the road, the Christian will do everything to remain in control. Trusting God is great and all, as long as it means I don't have to stop relying on myself! In one week, I learned about my need for a dental operation beyond my budget, all that I owe the IRS for self-employment (even though I live below the poverty line), and that my computer with every sermon note, recording, PowerPoint, and graphic design has been lost in a “catastrophic hard drive failure,” as the repairmen called it. I won’t bore this record with the other miscellaneous mini-crises. I write this down, not mainly to complain, embarrass myself, or insinuate that I am underpaid by the Boss. I write this as the words from a Christian mentor creep into my mind. He recently asked me about identity; these were timely remarks. I paraphrase: "If you were to take away everything by which you identify yourself - that you're an American, a minister, well-educated, employed, somewhat urban, etc....

I want to give a shout out Ronald! I have known him for nearly my entire time in Cleveland. He has shown undeniable spiritual growth and faithfulness in following Jesus; the dude has not missed church or discipleship for probably two years. A big moment in his story came this past week as he was interviewed and hired to work at Camp Patmos, his first official job. Ronald is leading by setting an example for other teens within the church. He'd be the first to admit that he has a long way to go, but I am proud of Ronald's willingness and teachability as we figure out what it looks like to be a young man in Cleveland who follows Jesus.

Pastor Ken is teaching about Joseph at the Winton Manor. The telling of these stories may have become rote in churches, but residents at the Winton are hearing it for the first time. On Tuesday, one lady interjected, "I guess blood is not thicker that water or money in that family... They sold their own brother into slavery?" When Pastor Ken concurred, this woman was raw and real in her assertion: "That's bull..." Albeit unorthodox, it was a light bulb moment. Pastor Ken added, "And you know what? Later, when Joseph had the opportunity to really make them pay, he forgave his brothers." The lady was shocked, and the room was at unrest. Clearly God must have done a serious work in Joseph because the natural man could never forgive such an offense. This astonishes our culture because, without Jesus, we have a lot more in common with the brothers than with Joseph. Our great need of forgiveness must be met before we can extend great forgiveness to others. T...