| Jesus said,"Give to those who cannot give back to you"(Luke 14:12-14) |
San Antonio Urban Project
Jun 1, 2003 - Jul 13, 2003
Location:San Antonio, TX
Director:Jon Parker
Contact information:[email protected]
1327 W Lynwood Ave
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Project Description:
Will work as summer interns (8 hrs./day, 4 days/wk.)in programs connected to Mount Zion First Baptist Church (and other local urban churches/ministries)
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I am looking forward to keeping all my supporters (prayer and financial) updated through email this summer.
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SUMMER 2003!!!
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WHAT IS AN URBAN PROJECT?
Each of Intervarsity's Urban projects, "share common elements (e.g., service opportunities, scripture study, worship, etc.) but are different in specific format. They nearly all share a common commitment to teaching certain values, such as exploring issues such as justice, poverty, racism, racial reconciliation, violence, lifestyle, biblical community, and the ministry of the urban church (http://www.intervarsity.org/urban/)." I am excited about the ways I might incorporate the things God teaches me this summer into my career and entire life.
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THE CHURCH
We will partner with and living near Mount Zion First Baptist Church. Mount Zion has been in existence for over 100 years. Founded by freed slaves, it has been a witness to the power of Jesus Christ in the same neighborhood for over a century. The pastor of the church Rev. Kenneth A. Allen and, his associate in charge of Youth and Missions, Rev. Anthony Cobbs are excited about us coming. Jon Parker, San Antonio's Urban Project Director has been working and talking together with Rev. Allen and Rev Cobbs for months about this summer and they have full confidence that God is in our midst and working through our planning.
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HOUSING
We will be living in housing near or within walking distance to the church. (2) The team will live in community - 8 women & 4 men. (Obviously, we will have separate bedrooms for the sexes.) (3) It will be challenging to live together and work together 24/7. But we believe and have seen it many times before that through this intense living arrangement, God uses it to refine us all and make us look more like the image of his Son, Jesus. By the end, we will all be family. (One note: Jon and his wife, Amelia, will not be living on site. This is mostly because Amelia is currently 5 months (almost 6!) pregnant with their first child and it would not be wise to plan to "rough it" with everyone else. But they will both be thoroughly involved in the project (as much as Amelia's condition will allow her.)
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WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
While on the project my time will be spent in three main ways: (1) I will be actively participating in the ministries of the church, (2) I will be receiving intensive training - in Scripture and in issues that face the Urban church (and our urban societies at large), and (3) I will be participate in the life of the church and local community. To do this, I will typically spend 32 hours a week in internships, 20 hours per week in community living, and 16 hours per week in training. The rest of the time will be open for rest, recuperation, errands, and chores. My life will be structured and contained. My normal freedoms will be a little invaded upon. But this will bless me in the end. I am willingly going ready to lose my life, so that I may find it again in serving our Heavenly Father.
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FUND RAISING
I must raise $X to attend the project. This is the most I have needed for a mission trip thus far, but I know it is well worth it. 80% of my $X must be committed by May 8, 2003. This does not mean that I can only receive donations until May 8, 2003.Supporters can give (monthly payments if they like) up through July 31, 2003, but I must receive some kind of verbal or written commitment from them that they are going to give that amount by May 8th. By May 8th, all my commitments must equal 80% of $X (or $X) in order to attend the project.All financial contributions are tax deductible.
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PRAYER
Finally, I left the most important aspect for last. Let me invite you to pray with us about my summer experience. Please pray that mine and the ohter members of the team heart's will be in the right place to learn and to serve, that the community will develop with godliness and fruitfulness, and that the whole project would be blessed and be a blessing.
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