Exploring Detroit

From the time we arrived on Tuesday until we wrapped up the cook-out Friday night, our days have been filled with outreach efforts. Saturday we took a step back and spent time exploring downtown Detroit. We began the day with a late breakfast (9:30 is late by the standards this week) before departing for Eastern Market. Think of our local farmers markets multiplied by 50 or more. We moved from one building to the next, storefront to storefront looking at the myriad things available. The teens split into groups and shopped for about 45 minutes before we began our trek to the waterfront.

Detroit Missions Team and some Spread The Word interns.

Our journey took us to the Detroit River by way of a converted railroad track (think Monon Trail for those in Hamilton County). Along the way we saw many expressions of art in the underpasses and walls that lined the route. From the river you can view Windsor, Ontario on the other side. Our tour took us along the waterfront, where General Motors is headquartered, and we stopped for lunch before proceeding to Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers. After a group photo there, we headed back to Inter-City Baptist Church.

Kaleb Clark, one of the NBC teens that joined us for this trip, turned 18 on Saturday, so we celebrated with tacos for dinner. Some of the group also participated with the Spread The Word interns in an intense game of ultimate frisbee. The night closed with a bonfire, cake and ice cream to make Kaleb’s birthday celebration complete (even some light showers couldn’t dampen the party), and testimony time. Several shared the impact this mission trip has had on their lives, and it was a great way to reflect on how God has used each of us during this week of focus on the people of River Rouge.

Happy Birthday to Kaleb Clark!

Tomorrow our team will divide up and attend two churches. One part of the group will attend Grace Baptist Church in River Rouge. After spending the week there, it is a fitting way to close out our time in Detroit. Another group will attend Resurrection Church, located a short distance away in Lincoln Park. David Doran, Jr., son of Inter-City Baptist senior pastor David Doran (mentioned in a previous post) is the pastor of this relatively-new church plant. With the busy events of Friday, I failed to mention that in between all of our activities that day we spent some time going door-to-door in Lincoln Park talking with the locals and inviting them to the church, which meets in the local VFW Hall. Several of us had great conversations with people in the community that very well may show up Sunday morning. We look forward to worshiping at both locations.

Sunday afternoon we will pack up and depart from Inter-City, our home away from home since Tuesday. We will drive to Sandusky, Ohio, and Monday will be spent at Cedar Point. It will be a fun way to cap the experience, and we’ll arrive back in Noblesville late Monday night.

Pray that the seeds we have spread in River Rouge and Lincoln Park fall on fertile ground. We may not see immediate results Sunday morning, but our hope is that God is working in hearts. Pray that we will have a sweet time of fellowship at both churches and that our travels Sunday afternoon will go off without a hitch. Also, pray for Mike Foley as he travels. Mike has work commitments that prevent him from joining us at Cedar Point, and he will be making the trip back to Central Indiana alone. Pray that he will not encounter any issues.

Thank you to all the prayer warriors that have been so diligent on our behalf. It is reassuring to know that so many are thinking of us while we are away.

Making Connections

The big payoff for our work in River Rouge was the free community cook-out held Friday in the park located next to Grace Baptist Church. The NBC Teen Life Missions team canvassed the neighborhoods of River Rouge for several days in advance of the event, and even went out one last time a few hours before the cook-out. With a start time slated for 6 p.m., there were many that showed up early, ready for food and festivities.

Many came out for Friday's cook-out in the park.

Set-up for the event went quickly thanks in part to the many hands available to set up an inflatable slide and bounce house, grill and drink stand, popcorn, snow cone and cotton candy stands, two tents and Nine Square game, just to name a few. The Spread The Word team is used to doing this on their own, so the interns were happy to have some assistance in both set-up and tear down at night’s end.

The turnout for Friday’s cookout was exceptional. Many came out to participate, and the Spread The Word team said it was their biggest cook-out of the summer. Kids and adults alike enjoyed the event, and there were several members of Grace Baptist Church on hand to make valuable connections with the River Rouge community.

The event was scheduled from 6 – 9 p.m., but we were aware that some storms may pass through the area. Pass through they did, and made for an evening our youth won’t soon forget. Less than an hour and a half into the cook-out the wind picked up and soon a downpour ensued. Guests scrambled for cover and many of us sprang to action securing tents and inflatables the wind tried to uproot. It was an unbelievable sight, and it could have very easily signaled the end of the event.

But a funny thing happened. Many found refuge in the sanctuary of Grace Baptist Church, a building within which most probably had not set foot. Once the rain lifted and we began to clean up from the aftermath, many of the children began showing up to resume their games. Soon the park began to fill, while not to the capacity we had seen before the storm. But the people returned, activities commenced, and many stayed well past the listed end time of 9 p.m. In fact, children were getting their faces painted at 9:40 p.m. as their parents provided light via their phones.

It’s been a long week, and I was impressed by what I witnessed during the cook-out. Several teens pitched in and helped out in times of great need. Others were looking for ways to share the load, and I observed several running, not walking, to a place where they could be of service. At a time when they have logged one long day after another, this group stepped up to the challenge in a big way and answered the call.

It has also been a joy to see how this group has meshed over the course of the week. We have several participating in this team that come from other churches – even other states – and to see everyone making connections each day, forming bonds and getting to know one another more shows how God can work in hearts when we are focused on Him. Each of these individuals has given up a week of their life to be here in Detroit. They have made a sacrifice to serve. My hope is that several lifelong friendships are developed as a result of this trip.

With the cook-out behind us, Saturday will be a more relaxed time for the team. We will go on a walking tour of downtown Detroit, taking in the sights. It will be a nice change of pace as our time here winds down. Please pray that the remainder of our time at Inter-City Baptist Church is profitable. Also be in prayer for Grace Baptist Church and their ministry. Pray that the cook-out will result in guests on Sunday morning and that the church can reach more of the lost in River Rouge.

Finally, pray for Aaron Coffey and the Spread The Word team. Once we leave they will continue the weekly cycle of visiting a suburb, conducting Cola Wars and cook-outs and supporting these church plants of Inter-City Baptist Church, and they’ll do so with little to no assistance. Pray that they will be energized to complete their work for the summer, and that their efforts to win souls and advance the kingdom will result in great things.

Soldiering On for Christ

Thursday our Teen Life Missions group spent a majority of the day serving at Grace Baptist Church in River Rouge. After breakfast and POWER Group time, we departed for Grace Baptist shortly after 11 a.m. Upon arrival, our team participated in a work project at the church. The men and boys spread mulch, pulled weeds, edged the sidewalk and cleaned off the driveway and parking lot. The women and girls cleaned windows, mopped floors and wiped down the pews in the sanctuary. A little elbow grease went a long way.

We also had a chance to hear from Grace Baptist’s pastor, Larry Rogier, who has shepherded this body of believers for 17 years. In fact, this is the only church Pastor Larry has led, as he was called to the pulpit shortly after graduation. The last 17 years have been filled with peaks and valleys. He didn’t mince words when talking about the experience of leading a church in an area that residents are desperate to escape. This is a far cry from Hamilton County.

“There are times that I think if I had set out to fail, I don’t think we could have done much worse,” he told the group.

Our team lays hands on Pastor Larry and prays for Grace
Baptist Church and God's work in River Rouge.

What Pastor Larry expressed we have all encountered at some point in time. Despite our best efforts, we often fall far short of the mark. On our own, we will always fall short, and that can be discouraging. But Pastor Larry has soldiered on in his work in River Rouge. He bought a house in River Rouge and his family calls this community home. He lives amongst the very neighborhoods he is trying to reach. The congregation often numbers between 40 and 60 on a Sunday, and they don’t conduct Sunday School. Years ago he eliminated it due to staffing challenges, and now attendees spend the time connecting in conversation. The decision, and subsequent results, were not intentional, but have worked well in a community where the investment in relationships is valuable.

It was great to hear Pastor Larry talk about the ministry of Grace Baptist, his challenges and the needs of the church. It helped us to understand just how important the time we are investing in this community is, as well seeing the field that is ripe for harvest.

Members of the NBC team join with Spread The Word interns
to take part in a daily POWER Group.

Our team once again canvassed the streets of River Rouge. Over the course of an hour and a half we distributed more than 900 invitations by going door-to-door. If a fraction of those invitations produce attendees at Friday’s cook-out, it will be a tremendous success. You should be proud of our teens, as they have taken on the challenge of spreading the word, and doing so by stretching outside their comfort zones. It’s great to witness this, seeing them enjoying the experience. There have been plenty of anecdotes and stories each time we return.

Thursday night also marked the second, and final, Cola Wars. The turnout was again strong, with some that participated Wednesday night inviting their friends to join in on the fun. Once again, the teens competed side-by-side with the youth of River Rouge. Sure, some finished the night with bumps, scratches and scrapes, but it was a profitable time, and many heard the Word. After a time of debriefing, we left Grace Baptist as the clock approached 10 p.m. We logged more than 10 hours at the church, and while we were sweaty, grimy, smelly and tired, it was satisfying to see how God used our team and Grace Baptist Church to make further inroads within River Rouge.

Dylan Zachary talks with his fellow Cola Wars teammates.

Friday we will go door-to-door one last time and then preparations will begin for the cook-out. It will take place from 6 – 9 p.m. and will offer free food and games. There is much to be done, but we’re up to the challenge.

Please pray for a strong attendance at the cookout Friday, and that members of our team, the Spread The Word team, and Grace Baptist Church will make meaningful connections in the process. Pray that our team finishes strong in this outreach opportunity, and that our youth come away from the Detroit experience with a greater desire to serve the Lord. Also, pray for Pastor Larry and the flock at Grace Baptist as they continue to soldier on for Christ in River Rouge. While we are providing able bodies to serve this week, we are only scratching the surface when it comes to ministering to the area. Finally, thank you to all that have prayed for us during this trip. We can’t tell you how much we appreciate the support as we tend to the work here.

A Shining Light in River Rouge

Our focus for 2016 at Noblesville Baptist Church is “Walking As Light” and I can think of no greater example than Grace Baptist Church and the work they are doing in River Rouge. Matthew 5:14 says:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Grace Baptist Church is not literally set on a hill for all to see, but its impact in the River Rouge community cannot be hidden, as it is a bright and shining light in this economically-depressed area. Wednesday was the first Cola War for the week, and it took place in a park located across the street from the church. After canvassing on Tuesday, trying to invite local youth to the event, we again canvassed the area today. This time our youth and the Spread The Word team went door-to-door (in both rain and shine), inviting households to the free cook-out that will take place Friday.

The invitation was well received, and we hope for a strong turnout Friday. If today’s Cola Wars is any indication, it should be. Many youth from River Rouge turned out Wednesday in the first of two nights of Cola Wars. The Spread The Word crew said that it was one of the strongest first nights they had experienced in their six weeks of work throughout different suburbs of Detroit. While the event was taking place, a group of six men returned to door-to-door canvassing, covering some areas of River Rouge that were not completed earlier in the day.

Nine Square was one of the most popular games each night.

Cola Wars began at 6 p.m., and our teens had a chance to interact with many of the guests, competing alongside them during each activity. There were plenty of games and the Word was presented before finishing with ice cream sandwiches. Even after the event completed, several kids stuck around to continue playing until we had to break everything down and pack up for the night. Afterwards, our team moved to Grace Baptist Church for a time of testimonies and prayer. As the clock approached 9 p.m. we departed for Inter-City Baptist.

Once back at our home base, we grabbed a quick snack and game time commenced. Even after a long day of traveling, games and pounding the pavement, this group was happy to partake in another round of activities. The limitless energy of youth...

Earlier in the day our Teen Life Missions team took part in two workshops before heading into River Rouge. The first was conducted by Aaron Coffey, and he challenged us to live worthy of the Gospel by standing firm. It was a great reminder, and fits well with our challenge at NBC to walk as light. The second workshop was led by Inter-City senior pastor David Doran. We spent time in Ephesians 2-4 in a session entitled “God’s Purpose for Your Life”.

The team in front of Central Train Station, a symbol of the
hard times Detroit has faced. This iconic building is under
renovation after years of sitting vacant.

The other big event of the day was a tour of Detroit. Aaron Coffey showed us areas of downtown where millions of dollars are being spent on infrastructure and revitalization. But for as many good things that are happening there, you can drive less than 15 minutes from downtown to find neighborhoods abandoned or in steep decline. Lots sit vacant where homes once stood, while other areas are dotted with row after row of abandoned houses. Former luxury homes sit in disrepair. It’s a grim reminder of Detroit’s great history as well as its current struggles.

Thursday we will spend time at Grace Baptist Church taking on some work projects. Pray that our team can accomplish much at the church in the time we have. Also pray that our teens will continue to be bold for Christ as they serve here in Detroit. Pray that as our long days continue we will be refreshed and re-energized daily, seeking to help Grace Baptist become a brighter beacon of light in River Rouge.

Reaching the Lost in Detroit

The NBC Summer Mission Trip to Detroit kicked off Tuesday with the long drive to our destination. The Lord provided safe passage to Inter-City Baptist Church, our home for the week, and we arrived a little after 5 p.m. (thank you for your prayers as we traveled!). After unloading and setting up the classrooms where we will stay, we gathered for dinner (thank you Kat Foley for the meal!) and then it was off to the mission field!

Our group joined with the interns serving in the Spread The Word ministry and we canvassed the city of River Rouge, inviting 7th-12th graders to the Cola Wars events to be held Wednesday and Thursday nights. The canvassing consisted of us driving around in vans, and as we saw youth, members of our youth group would jump out, hand them an invitation and talk to them about the event. Others were stationed at Memorial Park, the site of Cola Wars and a cook-out that will be held Friday night as well. Our youth group did a fantastic job spreading the word while putting aside any apprehension of speaking with strangers. It was a great experience that stretched us all beyond our comfort zones.

While canvassing, we learned more about the mission of Spread The Word and the work the interns are doing as part of Inter-City Baptist’s ministry. Each week they are targeting areas around Detroit and holding Cola Wars and finishing the week with a cook-out. Aaron Coffey and his group of college men are canvassing these neighborhoods and conducting the events in areas where Inter-City Baptist has established church plants. During the events, the team is coordinating while members of the church plants get a chance to connect with those in attendance. It’s a wonderful way to reach the masses, and we look forward to being a part of the activities at River Rouge.

As of the 2010 census, River Rouge had a population of 7,903. This suburb of Detroit is marked by industry, and it has fallen on hard times. As we canvassed the area Tuesday night, it was clear the needs, both economic and spiritual. It is a valuable reminder to everyone in our group, as it can be easy to take for granted that we live in a growing and thriving county in Central Indiana.

As rough as River Rouge appears, Wednesday we will take a tour of Detroit, and we’ll see some of the worst parts of the city. You don’t have to travel to a third-world country to see need… we have it right here in our own country.

After returning from River Rouge, we split up into groups for our POWER Group sessions. We will use these throughout the week for a time of Bible study, personal accountability and ministry responsibility. Once POWER Groups were complete, we had time for some games before beginning to wind things down shortly after 11 p.m. It was a full, and exciting, day.

Please pray for our group, Aaron Coffey and the Spread The Word team this week. As we continue to canvas River Rouge, pray that many will come out and participate in Cola Wars and the cook-out. Pray also that we can be a blessing to this area through a time of fellowship and outreach, and that decisions would be made. Pray specifically for our team, that this week would have an impact on our youth, their desire for God and for missions. Pray that we will be selfless with our time, bold in our actions for Him, and that God will use us for great things.