Changing the streets of unrest in Ferguson to streets of love and ministry is the aim of an “Adopt a Block” initiative now underway amid the Missouri city’s racial tensions.
Adopt a Block is “a good, simple plan,” said Stoney Shaw, pastor of First Baptist Church, Ferguson, one of the participating local congregations and a Missouri Baptist Convention church.
“We want to join with other churches and minister. Walking the streets and praying is a simple yet powerful plan,” Shaw said.
The initiative is coming to fruition as racial tumult continues in the city of 21,000 just northwest of St. Louis. The tumult was triggered in August 2014 when a Ferguson police officer shot and killed an unarmed black 18 year old in a heated confrontation. Tensions mounted with the March 4 release of a Justice Department inquiry that exonerated police officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown but found widespread discrimination by police against the city’s black residents. The police chief, city manager and a municipal judge soon resigned. Two police officers were wounded in gunfire March 12. On March 16 the accused shooter’s attorney claimed his client was beaten by police officers and coerced into confessing.
The Adopt a Block initiative is led by Jose Aguayo, a chaplain with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s (BGEA) Rapid Response Team and pastor of Dorea Ministries, Ferguson.
Teams of several church members have adopted a block in Ferguson for ongoing outreach. Other churches involved in the ministry include Bethel Fellowship Assembly of God, Florissant; Grace Bible Church, Florissant; Refuge Church, St. Charles; St. Louis Harvest Church; Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, all in the Ferguson area. Breaking the Barrier Ministries, Jehovah-Elyon Christian Ministries Foundation and St. Louis Dream Center also have participated.
“This is a point of connection with the community and a way to show love,” Aguayo said. “We want to establish a relationship with the people in the neighborhood.”
For now, Aguayo said, the ministry involves an introduction — “a hello with prayer.” As relationships develop “discipleship will follow. Eventually sports teams, community outings and study assistance for children and adults will take place.”
Adopt a Block is a ministry model begun about 20 years ago at the Dream Center in Los Angeles, Calif., Aguayo said.
First, Ferguson, hosted one of the initial training sessions in February, providing training and resources developed by BGEA. Prior to that the church also hosted a Nov. 13, 2014, prayer summit and has been part of local efforts to provide child care and revitalize downtown businesses that were looted in rioting after a grand jury declined to indict Wilson in late November.
“Prayer walking and talking with people is so important,” Shaw said. “They need to see our faces in the community.”
Shaw noted March 20, “This is a steady outreach to the same block or area of our community either weekly or every other week. We hope to get to know people on our block of ministry — to pray for each person and anything that is important to them and to develop a relationship with each one as we go back.
“As it develops, anyone in the church can have such a ministry anytime they want,” Shaw noted. “I believe most Christians want to have a ministry and once they understand this approach I believe most people will desire this … instead of a ‘hit-and-run’ approach, cold turkey calls or confrontations.
Sharing the gospel
“People will ‘see’ the gospel (of love and care) before they ever hear it. We know it is easier to hear the gospel from someone you know than a complete stranger.”
The Adopt a Block plan entails a central location for monitoring the progress of the churches, setting a place for weekly reports, follow-ups, networking and resourcing.
Shaw said churches of every size can embark on this type of ministry. “But it must be regular. Count the cost before you start,” he said. “If it isn’t sustained it will be just like the other things we have done and then dropped. … Just think — what if every church would adopt such a ministry? Ultimately many will come into the Kingdom and our churches will become a place that the world will say, ‘Those folks really do care.’”
Since starting in late February the Adopt a Block initiative has seen more than 60 volunteers each week. At press time the initiative was gathering volunteers every Saturday morning, but Aguayo said they would also begin meeting on Thursdays.
After the first week Aguayo said, “I got a text from a pastor (that had participated) that said ‘AWESOME SUCCESS.’ (In mid-March) a person told me that (Adopt a Block) was the best two hours of ministry she had ever been involved in.
“People are overwhelmed at how much love they are receiving. And people are excited about it, both on the giving and the receiving end.” (BP, TAB)
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