I cannot understand how a city that has so much need can also have so many unused resources. One drive through the city will reveal blocks of empty houses no longer used as homes. A closer look will unveil vacant buildings no longer providing jobs. When we were looking for a building to host our Sunday worship I was astonished to count how many buildings were sitting unused at the same time our kids have few places to play. I keep wondering what would happen if we made use of what is here rather than focus on what is missing.

The greatest untapped resource in our communities are the people. There are so many people who find themselves in challenging circumstances and at the same time posses a special purpose in God.  I’ve found that one of the greatest tensions in ministry is loving and praying people from “common use” to a “special purpose”. My prayer is that God would give me eyes to see the unreached people and their unrealized purposes He has for them.

“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” -2 Timothy 2:20-21