Greetings from the University of Illinois! I am currently finishing up my sophomore year in Civil Engineering here, and despite increasingly difficult courses I have been able to enjoy myself immensely and become involved in a number of activities including Campus Crusade for Christ, Habitat for Humanity, and Chi Epsilon (a civil engineering honor society). More importantly, I want to share with you a particularly exciting opportunity that God has placed in my life for the upcoming summer.
Several months ago, I began exploring ways in which I could spend this summer serving God in a greater capacity than I have in the past, specifically mission trips. I narrowed my options and sought God�s direction, and I have made the confident decision to spend the summer in inner city Chicago working with Paxton Avenue Church of Christ and our good friends Stephen and Chris Daniels and Brett Sanner. As you may know, God has been working within the church and its leaders to take on a role in community development. The Daniels have recently purchased a house within the community of the church, and are taking the first steps toward establishing a Christian Community Development ministry.
Christian Community Development involves ministering to the community in a number of ways. It calls for individuals to live within the community and live out the Gospel, following Jesus� lead, who showed us love and brought hope when �The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us� (John 1:14). Furthermore, this ministry seeks to meet the felt needs of the community by means of reconciliation, redistribution, and relationships. Various programs are aimed at building leaders, implementing social change and justice, furthering education, and most importantly, reveal-ing the life-changing power of the Gospel and the healing of Christ. There is no doubt that God can bring hope and de-liverance to a community otherwise influenced by poverty, gangs, and drugs.
While this describes the goals of Christian Community Development on a macroscopic, long-term level, you may be asking yourself how I will contribute to the ministry and how God will be using me this summer. My role will include primarily building relationships and investing in the lives of the youth of the church and community. Specifically, I will be involved in leading �Paxton Play Days� for K-8th grade students twice per week, weekly junior high youth group events, and weekly high school Bible studies. Additionally, I will be involved in the adult Bible studies and other possi-ble ministries that may potentially arise and/or be realized throughout the summer. I anticipate an amazing summer full of intense spiritual growth, as I become immersed in God�s work like I never have before.
I am enthusiastic about this summer, but it will not realize its full potential without support. My goal is to raise a total of $750 for the summer, in order to cover living and ministry expenses. A contribution of $20 or $30 (or whatever you wish to give) would be very helpful in allowing me to reach that goal. You should know that Chatham Christian Church has already agreed to give me $300, so I recognize that you are already supporting me indirectly through the church. Furthermore, I ask that you pray for me, and especially the church and the community, a crucial element in the desire to seek God�s vision and channel His guidance and provisions. Any support you provide�prayer and/or financial�will be greatly appreciated. Please prayerfully consider this investment.
I genuinely thank you, and please let me know of your decision soon. If you have any questions or would like further information, feel free to ask. You can reach me in a number of ways: mail, email, or phone. I look forward to hearing from you.
God bless,
Alex Pence
7720 Fake Rd.
Springfield, IL
554-5555 or 555-5555 (school)
[email protected]