There is Hope in Christ

It was an orange Sunday afternoon when Angie and I were driving by the Eco-Garden on the North Side of Main Street. The invisible side where black children can still play in the basketball court without the gun shooting and drug dealing and litter hanging around waste basket. The sun was shining and the weather was fine but each of us were drowned in our own minds. That's when I saw "There is Hope in Christ" board being put up by a middle age white male right around the corner of Main and McMicken Streets. He hang the banner of the place. It was read "Main Street Chapel."

A name that was never heard of. A name that was untraceable through the big www. But the place was real. I thank God for that man who hang the sign "There is hope in Christ" that afternoon. I wish I was not in a hurry that time so that I could thank the man from keeping the chapel alive.

Last year, when I was sitting on the school bus with the other fourty people (there were more than a thousand participants) from the National People's Action in their conference, another thought came through my mind that There Is Hope In Christ. The hope is ONLY in Him. The National People's Action is a coalition of grassroots neighborhood organization around the country who are fighting for issues by talking to government institutions, corporations and financial institutions. These are real people with real problems in life that came from around the country with issues such as fighting factory farms, toxic waste, medical benefit and affordable housing. They found they power by getting organized. One thing that cheered me up in the conference, was, that they prayed before each session. There were several ministers who prayed and worship together during the session. It did not surprised me that all the 34 years the coalition existed, it had achieved many "victories" and getting things done, because they prayed. There is Hope in Christ.

One summer afternoon, I hopped on City Cure van to go to the Montgomery Baptist Church with members of the God Squad, group of children Gospel Rap Music and Dance. Friday afternoon was their practice time, and this time the Montgomery Baptist Church gave their gym to give these kids a place to practice. The God Squad is famous and has been travelling all over the country. (By the way, Kaeshawn, my tutee, is one of them.) This spring break they went to New York for vacation. Activities like this avoid children from being on the street, being exposed to drugs and violence and crime. The City Cure and City Gospel Mission, both part of the City Ministry with many other organizations such as Having the Courage to Change (for women who just got out of prison), Youth After School program in Norwood, etc, have been doing these tireless work to change the City one soul at a time. They believe that it takes a relationship to heal the wound, to change, and even to accept Christ. There is Hope in Christ.

Mr. Rogers said that the only form of handicapped is the handicapped of hope, hopelessness. When I see many people, incrementally, are doing good work with passion and hope in this City, the sound that I heard is encouraging. Sure, many things are left undone. Many people are still not willing to sit on the same table. But with Christ, there is hope indeed.