Our church plant is in the middle of one of the most dangerous areas of our city,” said John Smith, a church planting missionary in Pontiac, Mich.
Less than 25 miles from Detroit, Pontiac is a mini version of the city that often ranks as one of the top five most dangerous cities in the U.S. “We minister to people who are homeless, involved in prostitution and addicted to drugs. But our greatest area of ministry is to the city’s teen population,” Smith said.
Smith and his wife, Kia, are not strangers to the challenges of growing up in the inner city. Both grew up in Pontiac.
“Our missions field is right at home,” said Smith, who planted Shepherd’s Fold Baptist Church in the high school he attended as a teenager.
“The teens we work with long for community and the relationships of a family unit,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, many of them find that sense of community in gangs.
“We’re trying to help them understand the value of the body of Christ as community.”
The Smiths were among 138 missionaries who attended a North American Mission Board Missionary (NAMB) Connection event in Chicago, Ill., Aug. 12–14, for training, encouragement and spiritual rejuvenation.
“I can’t leave here and be the same,” said Smith, speaking of the impact the connection event had made in his life. “I’m looking forward to getting back home and putting the spiritual jumper cables on our church.”
NAMB Interim President Richard Harris led NAMB staff members in providing encouragement, training and networking. The two-day event was filled with workshops on evangelism, mobilization, leadership, apologetics, money management and prayer.
Those who attended the event serve in central Canada and mid-west and western states including Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Montana, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. (BP)
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