This post was not something that I planned on writing, but after having a couple of conversations on Monday afternoon I felt even more moved to write. I belive that those conversations pushed me into a more transparent vision for what I expect to happen in my neighborhood.
The reality of the situation is that I am unable to muster up enough passion, vision, or desire for my neighborhood to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. I am incapable of articulating convincing and moving words so that everyone understands the burden I have for the Douglass Park neighborhood. And this is okay by me.
God is the One who changes hearts. God is the One who saves people. God is the One who changes lives.
Ali and I moved to this neighborhood trusting that God sent us here with the desire and the vision for seeing a revival in this neighborhood. We hope that not only one Missional Community (small groups at Karis Church) begins in this neighborhood, but we are hoping that multiple MCs are flourishing and thriving. My dream is to see a healthy, biblical, and Jesus-centered local church in the neighborhood.
For all of this to happen, Ali and I need a significant amount of prayer. Sincerely pray with us for these things:
- Co-Laborers
- Financial Support
- Salvation and Revival
- Faith, Courage, and Boldness
Right now in this post, we need all of you to pray that other people catch the vision that we are casting for the neighborhood. We need your prayer for brothers and sisters in the faith to come next to us and practically and sacrificially love the people in our neighborhood.
This passage from Scripture comes to mind when I think of our situation in the Douglass Park Neighborhood:
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”(Matthew 9:35-38 ESV)
Please pray that Ali and I would have others come next to us and faithfully live out the gospel in a radical, biblical, and Christ-like way so that Jesus may be known, loved, and worshipped! We need laborers.
God is good and gracious.
Jacob Luis Gonzales
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