My last blog shared about the dark reality of racial
segregation in the United States. Time for some hope. From the hood.
Unknown to most people, there is an amazing movement of
Christian Community Development in the United States. Thousands of
Christians of all colors and stripes and denominations are living and
laboring in urban communities throughout the U.S. in the name of Jesus. Many are from urban communities, and others relocate to serve humbly alongside
existing urban churches.
Another important goal is to help raise
up indigenous leaders to transform the city. To learn more about the Christian Community Development
movement check out: http://www.ccda.org/
As an illustration of Christian Community Development, I’d like
to share a story of hope from Compton.
This story involves a young man and rising leader named Chris, some
friends of mine who have lived and served in Compton for the past two decades,
and the Metro Community Development Corporation (http://metrocdc.org/). Here, in their own words, is their recent story of hope from the hood.
"Chris grew up in Compton and faced many challenges as a
youngster such as foster
care, a gang lifestyle and poor education. After high school, he became involved with
our Construction/Discipleship Program, growing in his relationship with the
Lord and earning his contractor’s certificate.
On one occasion, Chris bid a job calling for a 20ft beam to
be installed in an attic. As they were discussing the job, the client revealed
that he was the director of a security organization within a major retail
mall. In the end, Chris told the
client that he would be willing to install the beam for FREE if the
client would interview him for a job with his security firm. The man agreed. After a third-party interview, Chris was
hired the following day and has
full time employment with benefits! Now he has the dignity of being able to
provide for his new wife and daughter.
Driving the security vehicle around the parking lot is one
of his functions. To do so, Chris needed to provide proof of having a valid driver’s
license by the end of the year.
Unfortunately, he owed $800 for an outstanding traffic ticket he
incurred as a teenager. This
amount would not seem horribly overwhelming to you or me, but for Chris, this might as well be millions! His ordinary resources are just too
limited and if the fines weren’t paid, he’d lose this job.
However, through the resources of Metro CDC, another option
presented itself. Chris was able
to sell one of our donated cars, and not only pay off his debt, but keep his
job as well. He is one of our
Courageous Leaders, a family man growing in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ."
To learn more about Metro CDC, or to help support the
training and mentorship of young leaders like Chris by donating a car, go
to: http://metrocdc.org/
In much hope!
Robert Chao Romero
@ProfeChaoRomero
Thanks for sharing this story of hope from someone who is from the hood.
ReplyDelete