Detroit Church of Christ - Articles

The Detroit School of Word Missions

By Allan Aubert 7/18/2005

 

“By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy;             they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.” – Psalm 137

 

To the Israelites who had been defeated by Babylon, and taken to that land as captives, it would cause tears to sing songs that reminded them of the days of David’s victories. Their defeats and punishment from God made the “glory days” of the past seem so far away. Perhaps you feel that way about the Detroit Church of Christ?

 

It is our prayer that the summer of 2005 becomes the “year of the spiritual turnaround” for us all. Despite the many weaknesses you may see with your eyes, the Detroit church ministry leadership group (MLG) sees something else with our faith!  We are praying and working for renewed days of blessing from God in the church. Unlike some US churches in our fellowship, we have not pulled back from supporting third world missions. Our 2005 goal of $100K is challenging us to dig deeper in our faith. We are confident, though, that $333 / person on average is not too much to ask of this church that has shown so much sacrifice over the years. We saw our team of 18 missionaries going to India and bringing back reports of faith, and the good use they will put our missions funds to.

 

The MLG has seen that the Detroit church rises and falls with our church leadership. After several years of decline in the strength of the MLG, we have finally added two ministry couples to make sure that every region is led by a full time couple with great faith. This is admittedly a financial stretch for us, and we call on every member to give sacrificially to our regular contribution to see that this move of faith does not flounder. God has truly blessed us with Rick and Judy Lewis joining us to lead the Oakland / Macomb region, and Collin & Beth Sherrill stepping in to lead Washtenaw, and assist the Perkins to rebuild the campus, both in August of this year.

 

Perhaps you didn't know it, but "Project backyard" is being accomplished this year as well! Phil and Pat Morr are making the difficult and expensive move to go back into the city! They are close to finding a place inside the city limits where they will be in a central location to more than 3/4 of the entire church, and provide one more solid family to host house church meetings, classes and bible study opportunities, and be a center for outreach for the city of Detroit. Their energy and faith to help many with their marriages through the "Family Dynamics" series has already been greatly impactful in their first six months as part of the MLG and on the staff of the church. Will you imitate such as these and make Kingdom decisions in your life?

 

The dreams of the MLG are more than about our own church leadership, though. One of the things that has almost disappeared from our movement is churches where someone who has a vision to enter the full time ministry as a career, to be raised up as an elder, administrator, or other type of servant / minister, or to be sent to help a church planting, can go and get the help and training they desire. At our Jubilee in January 2005, we announced the establishment of the “Detroit School of World Missions” (DSWM) to meet this need. We have determined in our hearts that Detroit will be a place where anyone who has a dream to use their life to serve God can come to have their faith and vision rebuilt!  Do you have the dream to go on a mission team? At a recent Washtenaw midweek, ¾ of those present raised their hands to answer the question of how many would like to one day be sent out, quit their job, and move somewhere to help start a church in some city where there is not a church of disciples that we know of. Many such teams must be sent out in coming years in order for us to reach this huge state! Our Great Lakes Conference in Detroit, scheduled for October, is building momentum, as churches from Cleveland to Grand Rapids want to join us to rekindle their vision as well!

 

Some of you reading this are still doubtful, as you look at your own ministry and don’t see faith and strength. The Detroit MLG has determined to make each region in Detroit worthy of imitation in their faith and growth. We call ourselves and you from the lukewarm, faithless state many have been in, back to being biblical disciples! Finally we are back being outwardly focused with our July campaign bringing many new visitors and Bible studies to us. The Teens have gone from 3 to 6 members in the first six months of the year, and now have six studies underway, with the possibility for the group to double again by the end of the year!  A similar revival is happening right now in many of our ministries. Have you been a part of it yet?  Join us to make these dreams a reality!  Pray!  Give, serve, and live out your discipleship! And to God be the glory!