God's Work in the City

Yesterday I enjoyed 3 meetings in Pittsburgh. First I met with Alex Ielase who is starting Redeemer on the Mount on Mt. Washington. I absolutely love the way that Alex is approaching his ministry...getting to know people, meeting needs and developing a vision of a ministry that helps people learn to love Jesus and to love others in tangible ways. It is not the typical planting approach that has been popularized over the years, but it is an approach that is growing in its appeal as it is truly reaching lost people.

Later in the morning I met with Jeff Hartings of Urban Impact. Not only is Jeff a former Steelers All-pro Center, but more importantly, he is a man who loves Jesus and who loves the city. He has come to realize the gift that God has given him in allowing him to be a Steeler. That title opens doors of opportunity for ministry advancement. We talked at length about what Urban Impact is doing in the city. I would like to see our local churches take advantage of plugging into some of their summer ministry service projects (rather than go over seas, stay right here at home in our district and learn to love the city. One of the things that UI is looking at is planting in the city flowing out from their ministry. They are not sure that they should plant or look for someone to come along side them....could be us? Needless to say, I had a great time of ministry fellowship with Jeff and look forward to many more opportunities for ministry partnership.

In the afternoon I met with Matt Haberman of Missio Dei Faith Community in Brighton Heights. We met at The Vault, a coffee shop Matt works at. He shared with me their strategy and their struggles. One of the truly beautiful things are the yet "unchurched" people who are learning to love Matt as their Pastor as he has hosted block parties and soup night for their neighbors every Thursday night. I am looking forward to further developing a relationship with all three of these ministries and other tenticles of networking that flows out from them.

God is at work doing something in the city of Pittsburgh. It make not look like what we in Suburbia have become accostumed to, but it is a very beautiful thing that we need to grow to understand and embrace and support and minister in.