"Imperfect people Serving a Perfect God"
Dateline: Minneapolis
Last week, the NUSA (Neighborhoods USA) conference was held right here in Minneapolis. This event is held annually and its intent is to educate leaders from different parts of the country as to what works in order to build a better city. There were people from all over the world at this event. Each person was ready to glean valuable insight from our city's programs and take what they could use back home.
I attended the event on Thursday and got to see our city in all its glory on a bus tour and eat dinner with a few politicians and community activists. I was taken inside the Swedish Institute (the state's largest castle), Lutheran Social Services, down Lake Street, Franklin Ave., past the large hospitals, parks, Greenway, and to the top of the Midtown Global Market's tower. While dining with the community leaders I was able to share our churches success and even debate the legalization of marijuana (to which I am opposed and, apparently, in the minority).
Indeed it was quite a show to see what people can accomplish. How we are apt to respond to adversity and triumph by what seems to be nothing more than human effort, will, and cooperation. But for me the highlight of the tour took place on the last leg which was the way back to the hotel. No tour guide spoke as the weary crowd was winding down their evening. But the man sitting next to me tapped me on the shoulder as the bus passed Peavey Park (the most notorious park in the Midwest). He pointed out to a woman with her hand on the shoulder of a man, heads bowed, as she prayed for him. My fellow passenger told me how this woman leads worship at the park every Thursday and Friday night and that he actually loans her the portable sound equipment she uses for the services. He told me of the great work she is doing and asked me to keep her in prayer.
This event was not on our guided tour. It was not mentioned in any of the literature at the conference. It is not publicized. Matter of fact, I had only heard about it recently as a group of people involved in this ministry worked together to read the entire Bible out loud at Peavey Park in 3 consecutive days. Here's the deal- God is at work in our city, country, and world, He has faithful people doing more than going to church on a regular basis. He has people involved in His world. Are you?
