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The Pastoral Lens
Hometown Proud!
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
I have been noticing over the past few years a move in many different areas around the world towards community transformation. What I mean is that whole towns/cities have been literally transformed spiritually, economically, and socially as Christians have sought the Lord through prayer to intervene on their behalf.In Cali, Columbia, once the drug cartel capitol of the world, Christians there began meeting for prayer after the local ministerial started working together. All-night prayer meetings at soccer stadiums were held with over 50,000 in attendance (and many turned away). The drug cartel collapsed and churches filled up. Homicides dropped dramatically.
In Almolonga, Guatemala, the area had been plagued with massive crop failure and crime and gambling were at a fever pitch as depressed farmers sought alcohol and gambling to forget their troubles. Christians began to pray and call on God to help them. What happened was miraculous. The towns 4 jails were closed due to no prisoners. The farmers began receiving 3 crops per growing season. The produce was of a gigantic size, something which attracted scientists from all over the world to come and study the land to find out the cause of the explosive growth. All the villagers could tell them was that God brought the growth. Churches began to fill up and depression lifted for many.
In Hemet, California, a place known for amphetamine labs and illegal drug traffic, transformation came there, as well. Again, Christians sought the Lord and crime dropped, churches grew, and morale rose. I have personally met pastors from Hemet, California and Cali, Columbia who have testified of these things. I have also seen the evidence on a special documentary made about these places.
By now you must be wondering, though. Can this type of thing happen in Chatham-Kent? I assure you it can! In fact, it's already happening. Morale is up in Wallaceburg, just to use one example. A group of peple have been agressively campaigning for more doctors and have devised a plan to recruit them over a 7-year plan. The community is getting behind it with their financial and verbal support.
Also, an enormous project is underway by which over 500 teens and adults from all over the United States will be coming to Wallaceburg in late July to volunteer their time and labour on some 60 homes that need renovations. These homes are owned by seniors and low-income families in Wallaceburg, Walpole Island, and the surrounding area. All funds are being raised by the people of this community. Also, there will be considerable volunteer labour, usage of tools, trucks, and other equipment, and interaction between the homeowners and those doing the free work. This project is pulling together many people from the community who are seeking the Lord to make a difference in this place in which we live.
Personally, I am excited to be a part of this project. The Lord wants to rejuvenate our community, and He does it through common, ordinary people like you and me. The people of this community are definitely "hometown proud" and aren't afraid to show it. I believe this is one way in which the Lord is revitalizing us and blessing us. The real blessing in all of this is that hearts are being transformed in the process of the community's transformation. As we seek to help others, the Lord does a work in us, too. Might the Lord be prompting you to get involved in your community?
