
If you know me, you know I'm not a runner. But this Saturday, I'm running the 5K in the River Bank Run. I would never do this unless there was a really good reason. There is.
I am running this race for New City Neighbors. I won't give you an exhaustive description of NCN's ministries (you can check out their website for that), but over the next week or so, I'll be blogging about why you should support New City Neighbors both with your prayers and with your finances.
Reason 1: New City Neighbors is centered on Jesus and focused on ministering to the whole person
In many ways, this first reason is the foundation for all the other good reasons to support New City Neighbors. Christians are called to care for the whole person. If someone needs food and clothes and I say, "I'll pray for you," but I don't actively try to meet those practical needs, then the Bible tells me that my faith is dead (James 2:14-17). At the same time, Jesus commands his followers to make disciples, not just to meet material needs (Matthew 28:19-20). Good ministry recognizes that these two go hand in hand: making disciples and ministering to concrete needs. To lose either is to lose a truly biblical view of ministry and Christian community.
To get a taste of what this ministry looks like in the summer at New City Neighbors, check out what goes on at the Breaktime summer camp, the Breaktime Bakery, the Community Garden, and the Urban Farm.
If you'd like to make a donation online, simply go to Crowdrise and click on the "donate" box. If you'd like to send a support check, send it to:
New City Neighbors
1226 Union Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
I am running this race for New City Neighbors. I won't give you an exhaustive description of NCN's ministries (you can check out their website for that), but over the next week or so, I'll be blogging about why you should support New City Neighbors both with your prayers and with your finances.
Reason 1: New City Neighbors is centered on Jesus and focused on ministering to the whole person
In many ways, this first reason is the foundation for all the other good reasons to support New City Neighbors. Christians are called to care for the whole person. If someone needs food and clothes and I say, "I'll pray for you," but I don't actively try to meet those practical needs, then the Bible tells me that my faith is dead (James 2:14-17). At the same time, Jesus commands his followers to make disciples, not just to meet material needs (Matthew 28:19-20). Good ministry recognizes that these two go hand in hand: making disciples and ministering to concrete needs. To lose either is to lose a truly biblical view of ministry and Christian community.
To get a taste of what this ministry looks like in the summer at New City Neighbors, check out what goes on at the Breaktime summer camp, the Breaktime Bakery, the Community Garden, and the Urban Farm.
If you'd like to make a donation online, simply go to Crowdrise and click on the "donate" box. If you'd like to send a support check, send it to:
New City Neighbors
1226 Union Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505