Churches in Action
Throughout the country, churches find creative ways to serve their communities.
Drew Zhan, Eric Reed, and Millie Norwich
April 1, 2003
Houses After the Hurricane
In the wake of Hurricane Andrew, the Mennonite Church of Homestead, Florida, wanted to help the poor of Dade County move out of the suddenly crowded apartments and tenements. The church discovered that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had the funding to make it happen. But how could a church use government funds? The church established a separate, non-profit Community Development Company (CDC), that, while led by church members, has access to government funds and block grants. Since 1992 the "Nehemiah Project" has built or rebuilt 53 homes, which are sold to low-income families at appraised (not market) value. The CDC also uses the funds to help offset the new owners' mortgages and teach classes (on topics such as credit and equity management) that will help the new owners keep their homes.
The Serving Bowl
Steve Sjogren tried the traditional methods of evangelism when he planted Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. But after 18 months, only 37 people attended. Then Sjogren returned to the Gospels and saw that Jesus served everywhere he went. Then the 37 went into their community to serve, including scouring the restrooms at local bars while disbelieving employees looked on. Eighteen years later, the church has an attendance of 6,000. Today, two hours every Saturday are set aside for "Serve Fest." Members gather at the church, choose their assignments, then scatter to clean toilets, rake leaves, give sandwiches to homeless people, and take their dogs to nursing homes to cheer elderly residents. Then they return to the church to swap stories and pray over the seeds they've planted. "One man came a year and a half after someone handed him a water bottle on a bike trail," says ...
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