Two Days in Detroit

            This week, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in Detroit.  My parents grew up in Michigan and I spent many a summer in this state.  But this week, I was able to see and visit parts I had never seen.

            On Wednesday afternoon, I met with Jorge Luna….

            Jorge is a hard working young man who is trying to make a difference in the lives of the immigrant community here in Detroit.  He works three different jobs, all focused on reaching the folks who are struggling on the edge.  His story is fascinating.  He grew up in poverty in Oaxaca, Mexico.  He also grew up as one of the indigenous peoples of the country.  As a result, as a child, he had a strange accent and was always one of the outsiders.  He attended a Catholic church with his mother, but one day, he was told by the youth pastor that he could not bring his friends to the group because they simply were not the right kind of people.  Though only 15, he didn’t understand why this should be in a church and he simply stopped going.

            Yet, in listening to the rest of the story, it is clear that our God is a God of irony.  Now, Jorge works with the outsiders who are not welcomed, trying to bring them into the community and into the church.  He has led and built ESL programs for churches, he helps local organizations work with immigrant issues, and he consults with local congregations, on how they might respond to the growing numbers and needs within the immigrant population of Detroit.  As you can see from his infectious smile, he loves his work!

            From there, I went to visit with Redford Aldersgate UMC.  They were having a community dinner (much like our Woodlake midweek dinner) and I had a chance to visit with several folks....

  

            This church is set in the middle of a working class Detroit neighborhood.  They are doing remarkable things.  They are growing rapidly in the midst of many struggles.  They have also begun a satellite congregation in a downtown neighborhood, working with a church that has suffered substantial decline.  Detroit has many very real challenges.

            I had a nice conversation with the pastor, Jeff Nelson….

           Jeff and I talked late into the night.  He is a high energy, fascinating guy.  He grew up in Wisconsin and came to Michigan to serve.  He came to the faith through Campus Crusade for Christ.  Upon that base, he has also built upon a profound passion for social ministry and inclusivity.  But most of all, he is deliberately focused on Christ.  He is a gifted leader that has made such a difference in this community.  I felt honored to meet him. 

            Sometimes we forget.  There are so many problems in the world and in the church.  Yet, time and time again, God raises up incredible people to lead through those challenges.  It is clear that God is doing exactly that in Detroit!