Mentors | Our Most Precious Resource

Dear Mentor,

One of my favorite guilty pleasures is a reality TV show called Gold Rush. For those who have not seen it, it is about three men and their crews who have bet their futures on trying to strike gold in the Alaskan Klondike. The show is full of all the reality TV fake docu-drama and cliffhanger decisions that always seem to work out just in the nick of time. The climax of each season is when they tally their findings to see if their efforts have produced enough gold to pay the expenses and make a profit. Sometimes they do, sometimes not.

In the show, gold is the most precious resource. At Mercy Street, you, a mentor, is our most precious resource. And we need more of you! Our efforts to find mentors often feels a lot like panning for gold. Sometimes you hit, sometimes not. Lately it has been pretty barren panning. So this letter is a mining effort, really. We are hoping to strike it rich (with new mentors)!

We need 75 new mentors by the end of this school year. That is a lot, but it is doable. We have the demand and the capability to support the demand.

So here is what I am asking of you: In this moment, please think about someone you might know who would benefit from joining this mentoring journey (and be awesome at it) and then personally invite them to one of our Mercy Street 101’s. Let them know that you hope they will become a mentor and that you think they will benefit, just as you have benefited. Lord willing, we will do the rest.

Here is the info on the Mercy Street 101 ( http://mercystreetdallas.org/opps/mentor/ ), including dates and times. The 101 is a basic overview of the ministry and the introduction to any ministry opportunity at Mercy Street. If you have been mentoring for a while it might even be a beneficial refresher course for you too.

I cannot thank you enough for the service you are already giving. The kids and community of West Dallas are being transformed through your efforts. I hope you are being transformed too. We are making this plea because we believe deeply in the mission and power of “mutually transforming relationships” and want more folks to experience it.

I hope to see you at a Mercy Street 101 soon.

Sincerely,

Trey Hill

The Time is Now

Every year, a group called CCDA holds a conference where hundreds of groups similar to Mercy Street gather in one city to learn from and be encouraged by each other. The National Student
Leadership Intensive is a conference within the conference, created specifically for student leaders. This year, the conference was held in Memphis, Tennessee, and a group of ten Mercy Street students had the opportunity to attend.

The students who attended are part of the Leadership Institute, meaning they are active participants in Street Teams at Mercy Street and also completed the summer internship program. In order to earn a spot on this trip, these students were required to read a book called Kairo Returns and pass a test about it. The book describes the journey of an “urban pilgrim” named Kairo who after being transformed by the Gospel, returns to his own community ready to work for its transformation.

Our students identified with Kairo, and went to the conference excited to learn about community development and leadership. They attended workshops and classes on topics ranging from immigration to education to leadership. They explored a new city and went on a civil rights tour in Memphis. They got to know students from around the country with different backgrounds.

After her time at CCDA, one student said “I have learned a lot these past three days in Memphis. It’s now time for us youth to make changes in our community.” We at Mercy Street believe deeply in these emerging leaders and are thrilled to watch God move them toward servant leadership in West Dallas. Isaiah 61 paints a beautiful picture of a restored community, and we pray it will be fulfilled through these students: “…In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations.” We are glad to have these students back in West Dallas and are celebrating all that was gained from another year at CCDA!

Charge!

At the end of every staff meeting Annie Roberson (we call her Ms. Annie) sends us out with a rousing, “Shalom!” The send-off until only recently was, “Charge!” Regardless of the word, the message was the same. God has called us to a mission in West Dallas to make His peace and presence known, so let’s get out there and get busy.

It was that kind of spirit Ms. Annie brought to work with her every day. It is that spirit that will be dearly missed as Ms. Annie is retiring at the end of December.

Ms. Annie has been with Mercy Street from Day 1. Actually she has been with Mercy Street before day one. We decided to start a mentoring program at George Washington Carver elementary and we needed a strong, faithful woman of God to help interact with the parents of the children, if we were going to be successful. Bill Farrell said he knew the perfect person from his Sunday School class at PCPC. He talked to her about joining the team. She said, “yes.” Bill and I said, “Oh no.” Not because she was not the right person, but because we did not have an organization to join or any money to pay her. (That lead to a basic philosophy at Mercy Street—a principal of action—if we feel like God is calling us to do something then let’s trust Him and start doing that thing and we will figure it out as we go.) Twelve years later, we can say God was faithful to provide for Ms. Annie and the ministry of Mercy Street (sometimes through Bill Farrell twisting a few arms).

What I have learned over the years is that of course Ms. Annie said yes that day. She always says yes to opportunities to advance the gospel. She loves Jesus and wants to see other people know him and love him too.

For those who know Ms. Annie know that she has committed unbelievable amounts of scripture to memory. She is a walking, talking Bible. One of her favorite chapters to recite is Proverbs 31. It says:

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;

It is an apt description of Ms. Annie. She is indeed a virtuous woman whose wisdom and strength have been an indispensable blessing to Mercy Street. I can honestly say that without Ms. Annie, Mercy Street never gets off the ground.

Thankfully, Ms. Annie will still live in the neighborhood and will continue to love on and minister to the women in West Dallas. The only difference will be she won’t have to go to staff meetings on Monday.

Ms. Annie, I will miss you. I respect you greatly. To you I say, “Charge!”

Sincerely,

Trey Hill

Faith Works

James 2:14-18

Faith.  Works. 

That’s the story behind the Kershaw’s Challenge Baseball Field Groundbreaking on Wednesday, October 21^st.  Because of the extraordinary generosity of Ellen and Clayton Kershaw and their foundation, Kershaw’s Challenge, we were able to break ground on what will be a state of the art baseball field in West Dallas.  This is just one part of the whole.

It’s been 6 years since we completed what we affectionately call, “The Big Field”.  “The Big Field” was Phase 1 in our Field of Dreams Capital Campaign.  Phase 2 is now underway with plans to build 2 baseball fields and a tee ball field.  Alongside of The Kershaw’s are many generous donors whose faith…works. 

They don’t work to be saved; they work because they are saved. 

Mercy Street is the humble recipient of partners in the Gospel that love Jesus with a fierce love and out of the overflow of that fierce love, come beautiful works.

Last week, Jerry Wagner, Pastor of Mercy Street Church, spoke at our Annual Fundraiser Luncheon about Mercy Street’s heart for the child in the uniform, not the win.  Sports are yet another avenue where we can place a mentor in the life of a child and…let’s all remember our own childhoods…there’s no better place to hone your Godly character than engaging in a little competition while learning to be a team player.

It’s our earnest prayer and desire that these fields will be so much more than pretty dirt.  But rather, a place where Christian leaders are cultivated and where students are gaining a vision for giving back to their communities and schools to lead to Gospel transformation.  You know – faith – working itself out!

For the full Dallas Morning News article on the Kershaw Groundbreaking, click the link. http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/columnists/kevin-sherrington/20151023-sherrington-pitching-in-...-helping-is-never-out-of-season-for-dallas-kershaws.ece

Unexpected Joy

MERCY STREET INTERN SARAH STEINMANN GOT MORE THAN SHE BARGAINED FOR THIS SUMMER.

Last Christmas break, I sat across from a trusted friend and confessed my concerns — and dreams — for the upcoming summer. How could God use me, just as I am? Where could I best invest my time with the gifts I’ve been given? She bravely looked me in the eyes and declared, “Sarah, I don’t know God’s plan for you, but if you take a step by faith and it’s not the right one, he’ll close that door. Trust him, and walk forward.”

A few days later, I applied for Mercy Street’s summer internship program. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned in college, it’s that oftentimes you have to take the first step and walk bravely (or not-so-bravely) down the path ahead. This summer, my path took me to the streets of West Dallas — specifically, to Mercy Street, a non-profit affiliated with IBC that “hopes to be used by God to spark Christ-honoring community restoration by engaging in mutually-transforming relationships with the future leaders of West Dallas.”

That’s a mouthful, for sure. To understand how I connected with that mission, let’s backtrack a little: I’ve attended IBC for the last nine years, since I was in fifth grade, and have been hugely impacted by its incredible teaching and leadership. A die hard Aggie, I’m now in my second year as a management major in the business school, and I’ve also been captivated by the great Good News of the Gospel.

This past summer, I joined Mercy Street’s internship program from June 2-August 10 as a college intern, which simply means I was one of seven life coaches for the 30 high school students from West Dallas whom Mercy Street mentors as part of its high school internship program. These students are intentionally discipled to grow in Christ while being taught valuable business skills. It was with these students that I walked, hiked, stumbled, and ran. And Mercy Street does just that: it walks with people. With Mercy Street’s internship program, all college interns live with Mercy Street’s staff, and all staff members live in West Dallas (or close by). Mercy Street’s staff gets down in the nitty gritty of life in West Dallas; they get personal, welcome people into their homes, and tenaciously walk hand-in-hand — not ahead — of the people they love. And let me tell you: the people they love are absolutely incredible workmanships of God. I saw that clearly, not only in West Dallas, but with the whole crew of Mercy Street high school and college interns as we embarked on our “bonding trip” through the mountains of Colorado for a week of backpacking in July. 

For a city girl, Colorado was one of those experiences I was “glad I had, but never want to have again.” Living in the woods for seven days, sharing one roll of toilet paper with everyone, and waking up to a frozen white world every morning was hard, but good. Through the trip, and the hours of hiking, I gained a key insight: it’s in the walking, trodding, suffering, and laughing with people that we can plant the roots of deep relationship sand make life-transforming connections that can’t be generated any other way.

First, I was taken aback by the real, inner beauty of my students, people like Marqreshea, a freshman high school student who loves her family deeply and serves with the best heart I’ve known. And there were others, like Shena, a rockstar basketball player who is driven, whose work ethic amazes me, who carries herself with a quiet confidence I want to emulate. Then there’s Destiny, a friend full of joy who inspires others, as well as Rodayisha, Kalia, Kasie, Demondre, Tyrin, John, Donavan — the list goes on for thirty students.

I had expected to be confronted this summer with the brokenness of inner city life that can run rampant and create undeniable hurt in concentrated areas. And yes, I witnessed that pain-filled reality. But what I didn’t expect to see so clearly was my own sin and my new appreciation for God’s mercy. (Yes, the name Mercy Street was for me, too!) Certainly, I met kids with quick-firing, disrespectful tongues, but I was also broken in seeing how quickly my own identity can rely on the fickle opinions of others and how swiftly frustration can rise in my heart. I didn’t plan on rediscovering my own need for redemption and that glorious, beautiful “knowing” that I am redeemed through Christ. I didn’t plan on seeing shalom, peace, grace everywhere. I didn’t expect to laugh so hard, to witness first-hand the pictures of renewal — snapshots of how God is working, moving, breathing, restoring. 

If I were sitting across from a trusted friend right now, I would encourage her to take that first step in being a Mercy Street mentor. “Sure, it will take bravery and tenacity,” I would say. “But if you take that step of faith and walk forward, God will go with you. Who knows? He can use you to rebuild hope, to paint a more-hopeful future for a West Dallas boy or girl. And in the process, you can rediscover the joy of your own salvation.” Of that unexpected joy, I’m walking proof.

This story is featured in this months issue of Chatter published by Irving Bible Church.

Ongoing Service Project for 2015-2016 School Year

We would so, so SO LOVE for a group to help own the Thomas A Edison Eagle Incentive store!  This year things are changing for the better with an (almost) entirely new staff and the school being under the ACE (accelerated campus excellence) program but they still lack many, many resources to really reward students.  The staff is really encouraging students to do the right thing and they have seen incentives really push students towards making better choices.  They really want to create a new culture where the good can be celebrated and seen rather than fighting, poor grades, etc.

Each student is given "eagle bucks" when they do something to be awarded and once a month or so they open up their 'Eagle Store" and allow students to purchase incentives.

The store is full currently with school supplies and has a couple of big ticket items in it since all the more sought after awards are gone.  

We would love for the store to be replenished and are seeking the following items:

Hot cheetos

Takis

Gift certificates to Taco Bell, McDonalds ( in the $5-$10 increments)

Electronics (iPod, iPad, etc) (this would be worth MANY Eagle bucks!)

Movie vouchers to a theatre close to 75212

Bath and Body works lotion, body spray

Shoes (KD's brand, Converse, Jordan or Nike...)

Purses or gift certificates to Wal-mart where students could purchase these.

CANDY, any sorts of CANDY

Lip gloss

Head phones 

sketch pads/art supplies/cool pencils/colored sharpies

This service project is availabl to groups looking to serve now and ANYtime in the future? It will likely be a consistent request and we would LOVE to encourage students to do well in school as that can change SOOO much for a student (and for our entire community in West Dallas!)

Please contact Joy Amos at joy@mercystreetdallas.org for questions or to sign up!

Emerging Leaders

What a sweet summer we had at Mercy Street! We are so thankful for the way Jesus moved in the hearts of the junior interns, senior interns, and Mercy Street staff alike. You can read a bit more about what the summer looked like here:

http://mercystreetdallas.blogspot.com/2015/05/2015-summer-interns.html

Here are a few things we are celebrating from the summer…

• 

  Each micro-businesses was profitable. Street Signs, Mercy Street Cafe, Shiver Shaved Ice and Spiffy T's all had a successful summer. Junior interns learned about entrepreneurship, budgeting, bookkeeping, advertising, and customer service. They got to put these skills into action each day in their marketplace teams and then see the fruit in a bonus paycheck at the end of the summer!

• Six fantastic speakers joined us throughout the summer to teach about different marketplace and life skills. Topics included advertising and smart consumerism, personal finance and budgeting, how to avoid credit slavery, college readiness, and conflict resolution. We are blessed by the willingness of so many people to share their knowledge and resources with us.

• COLORADO! Our week long backpacking trip on the Ute Trail in CO is always a highlight of the summer. We were reminded again this year of our thankfulness for the Sky Ranch Wilderness Program, and the way their staff loves us well.

• Junior and senior interns read a book together called Kairo. It’s an urban retelling of Pilgrim's Progress and sparked lots of good conversation on what it means to follow God and let him take away our burdens. The author, Judah Ben, was able to join us for a book discussion one week!

• Jerry Wagner and Garrett Smith led students in a study of the Sermon on the Mount. We spent the summer discussing what a Christian Leader looks like and cares about based on the things Jesus taught his followers.

• Our six senior interns went above and beyond their job descriptions and formed really beautiful, mutually-transforming relationships with the junior interns. Almost every single junior intern said that the best part of the summer was getting to know the senior interns.

I’ll leave you with a fun story. Toward the end of the summer, the manager of our local Chick-fil-a taught a marketplace skills class about customer service. One junior intern, Tyrin, was especially engaged and asked great questions throughout the session. By the end, the manager was so impressed with Tyrin that he offered him an interview for a job at Chick-fil-a! Tyrin is now employed there and getting to use his leadership skills on the job.

This is just a small glimpse into the summer internship. At the core of the Leadership Institute is a desire to see students marveling at Jesus, allowing Him to lead them to repentance, and ultimately resulting in lives ripe with Kingdom fruit. During the summer, we have front row seats to watch this happen … what a joy and privilege! We are so proud of these emerging leaders, and feel incredibly thankful to have spent the summer with them.

Pine Cove Stories

I overheard a sweet conversation taking place at my house the other day. One of the Mercy Street leadership guys, Terrell, was talking through a big decision facing him with another one of the young men, Bobo, who participated in the Summer internship. Terrell was deciding where he should go to school his senior year. He had gone to school outside the community last year, but he felt disconnected from Mercy Street and missed the spiritual encouragement. 

Bobo said, "Man, something sparked in me at Pine Cove this year about our responsibility as leaders in the community. I really want you to go to Pinkston so that we can make an impact in West Dallas together." 

They continued to talk about the pros and cons of each decision. Then I interjected. "Tell me more about this 'spark' you felt at camp to step up your leadership, Bobo."

Bobo said, "I'm not sure exactly what it was, but I realized that I had a voice and influence that I never really realized--despite the fact you guys would say it all the time. Part of it was seeing the influence the Pine Cove counselors had on us and part of it was the fact we were given a role to lead the younger kids at camp and they really responded to the things I said. It just seemed like God was using me." 

I said, "That's pretty cool Bobo. Maybe God really does have a big purpose for you in West Dallas." 

He said, "I think He has a big purpose for us. Terrell you need to stay in West Dallas and we are going to lead to some real change, showing these kids a different and better way."

That has been our prayer all along. 

Trey Hill
Executive Director, Mercy Street

                                                   **************************************************

I came away from camp feeling so encouraged this year.  For years we have been working with our high school students to embrace the idea of taking ownership in their community by demonstrating leadership and pouring into the younger students.  This has been the intention behind bringing the high-schoolers to Pine Cove for years.  While camp has always been the highlight of their summer and they continue to ask me to play the songs they fell in love with there all year long, this year something different happened.  Those older students truly stepped up, with the encouragement of Pine Cove counselors and other staff, to teach and shepherd their younger comrades.  And because of this, they grew too.  Here are a couple Instagram posts I saw upon returning to civilization:

"I'm back from camp.  It's always life changing.  Being able to be a leader to kids that live a different life style than me but we can share one thing (living for the Lord).  Now that I'm back home the battle for Christ isn't over.  I'm wanting to live a life where everything I'm doing I'm glorifying God.  #forgiveness #love #giveithereson #pinecove"

"Getting to know Him better was the best experience ever take it from a older perspective"

P.S. Someone responded to one of the above posts looking for guidance and wanting to talk more.  The Kingdom is spreading :)

Rachel Kramer

Mentor Coordinator, Mercy Street

                                                   **************************************************

"This was my first time at camp and I really enjoyed all the activities with my friends! I learned more about God and grew closer to him. The one thing that stood out was having my mentor Kate join me at camp for a few days! We were able to spend time together, participate in activities together, enjoy good meals 

together, and both were encouraged by the messages that we heard while at camp. I am so looking forward to going again next summer! I just want to say thank you to all the people that made it possible for me to experience this wonderful time at Pine Cove camp!"

Pricila Fuentes

Mentee, Middle School Student 

                                                   **************************************************

We were blown away by Pine cove and wanted to share our highlights. One of the greatest things we witnessed was the young girl who told the group she accepted Christ at camp. Hearing her story of her coming from a bad place to a place of trusting Jesus will forever leave a lasting impression on us and our kids.  Another highlight was spending our mornings with each of the twins groups and the fellowship with them, the other kids, the counselors and our own kids. What a gift that was given to our kids to spend the week with other kids who may live in a different zip code, but the relationships are no different.  We saw God working all week in community and fellowship among them. Trusting each other, deepening their relationship with Christ and having SO MUCH FUN. 

The counselors were AMAZING!!! The way they loved us and our kids will be memories that will last a lifetime. 

Both Byron and Broderick's counselors told us that each of them have a gift and sharing the gospel with their friends. That's pretty awesome, too! 

Pine Cove and Mercy Street are both pretty amazing and we are honored to be able to share in expanding the Kingdom of God with both of you!!

Gratefully,

Jenny Griffin  (husband Reid mentors the twins Byron & Broderick)

If you are having a hard time with mentoring...

​A bit of encouragement we received from a mentor: 

Hey Joy! 

Things have actually been going really well with Flor and me lately and I just wanted to let you know. I had told you before that I was having trouble trying to get together with her because of our crazy schedules. Well for the summer we decided to call each other every day and read the Bible together while I drive to work. Well..... She reads and I comment. It's safer that way. ;P But it's been going well and we haven't missed a day yet. I've also been able to get together with her face to face once since summer started, but I'm really excited to find a way to touch base with her on a very regular basis. 

I hope all is going well with you! ​

Party with a Purpose

One of the requirements to attend Pine Cove camp is completing two work days. It’s sort of a way to “earn” your camp opportunity. Today’s work day was very unique. The students had a Party with a Purpose for Sole Hope!

Sole Hope is a non profit that provides shoes for the people of Uganda. Their core purpose is to effectively put in place preventive methods to combat diseases that enter through the feet and to create a positive physical and spiritual difference in the lives of individuals in impoverished communities.

As you can see from the photos, the students worked very hard tracing and cutting patterns, putting the different pieces together into sets and decorating! By the end of the two hours, TWENTY ONE pairs of shoe sets were prepped and ready to be shipped to Uganda for assembly.

Waiting for God's Best

My Street Team girls and I have been doing more than just simple Bible studies together; we’ve been doing LIFE together. These past four years, these eight girls have been sharing the struggles of their confusing, often chaotic lives. We found a common ground when I shared my confusion and sadness of being in my mid-thirties and still single. So early on they understood that there was real pain in my life as well. We often asked each other to pray for heartache in our lives and I would ask them to pray for God to provide a husband for me- His best.

  
When I told them that I was dating Dan, they flipped out! They were full of questions and amazement as we saw God beginning to answer our prayers for my life. We had talked many times about healthy relationships, what to look for in a good boyfriend, and purity while dating. They would even whine, “But, Ms. Jill there aren’t any guys like that in West Dallas!” I felt the say way, “There aren’t any guys like that in their thirties either but I’m still waiting for God’s best for me! I will NOT settle- and you better not either.”  When I began dating, suddenly I had the privilege of living the Biblical truths we had discussed.  For many of them what I was practicing was a very new concept for them. Humbly, God was using me to proclaim His perfect plan for their lives also.

So, when Dan asked me to marry him, it was completely natural for me to involve them in the wedding. They were family to me, and family belongs in every important celebration.  My heart soared the day of the wedding as the girls and I were getting ready for the ceremony. They were my West Dallas Leading Ladies, and they lead the way for the whole wedding party as Dan and I joined our lives together. The pastor even spoke to them directly and asked if they were prepared to fight for me and support me in this marriage covenant even when it got tough. They loudly agreed “WE WILL”!

After the honeymoon, we were able to talk more about the blessings waiting on His timing and His best. I shared how much I wanted them to have a wedding night filled with true love, tenderness, security, and commitment.

Our students desperately need people in their lives who talk about and try to model the life God desires for them. The pain we go through and the failures we experience are used to turn us to Him, and pave the way for healing, forgiveness and restoration. I’m so glad that my pain and my longing for a husband have been lived out for them to see in such a raw form, because I know that God has used my story to speak His truth into their lives. At Mercy Street, God is using broken people to build new leaders for the future of West Dallas. 

A Beautiful Journey

Hey MS people!

Just wanted to drop a note to those of you that I known over the years.  Larrishelle graduated this past weekend (praise the Lord!!) and I was reminded of how much y'all have been such a BIG part of this.  I also think of Julie and Mindy who were also a big part in this journey as well!

I know my relationship with Larrishelle is not over, but it for sure has hit a huge marker.  I have been so privileged to serve along side y'all and see you as a ministry grow, change and be shining lights for Jesus. Y'all are amazing!!

I have learned a lot in this mutually transforming relationship and it has been a tough and beautiful journey.  Lord knows that I had my many moments of failures, not having a clue of what I was doing most of the time and just wanting to quit at some point.  I am still learning only Jesus can  change hearts and I can only do so much and be faithful with what he has given me and the small amount of time I had/have with Larrishelle.  

At this time I don't know what the future holds and just praying about how I can continue my involvement in Mercy Street and what that could look like.  

One idea I had in the meantime was maybe to host small groups of mentees at my place periodically for dinner (6-7ish people)--from different stages/churches etc to interact, share stories, encourage each other etc.  I did this last summer with some mentees from Irving Bible and few others from another church and it was great.   Not sure if you all have any thoughts on that or think it would be a good idea. 

Thank you for all the prayers, help, love, advice, support and just being the wonderful people you are because of Jesus.   I want to be you all when I grow up! :)

Jen

A Summer To Remember

For ten years Mercy Street has been sowing seeds in the soils of West Dallas.  Over a thousand young people have been matched with a mentor or coach through the years, making an impact that is very challenging to measure.  My favorite way to measure impact is through life transformation.  There is nothing as thrilling as watching a person change.  With my front row seats to the action (our family moved in to the neighborhood 8 years ago), I have witnessed seeds growing tender shoots and most recently beginning to strengthen into fruit bearing plants.  To be more explicit, I am referring to the celebrated leaders emerging from within West Dallas everyday.

This summer we have handcrafted an internship for 26 such leaders.  These are the most elite students we've seen.  They have each participated in a year long small group, walked closely with a group leader, begun to express a hunger for Jesus and a commitment to avoid the entangling web of poverty.  These students have enrolled in what we now call around the halls of Mercy Street the LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE.  

These students will be coming to Mercy Street from 9-5 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the summer.  During that time we are praying God would instill two ever so critical impressions upon them.  We hope they acquire

a red-hot love for Jesus their Messiah

and

a prudent awareness of the marketplace and the skills demanded to participate in it.  

These students will be visiting several local businesses for a behind-the-scenes discovery tour.  Several business owners will come and teach on the elements of the marketplace most critical for students to grasp.  Students with shadow an employee for 3 weeks at a local business. And lastly, what we are most thrilled about is that students will participate in starting a small business at Mercy Street over the summer.  

We will start a shaved ice stand, a t-shirt printing company, an art collaborative and a small cafe for staff families/alumni.  They will come up with a business plan including a budget, an advertising scheme, bookkeeping processes, customer service creeds and then pocket the profits.

A few other extraordinary elements of the summer include: the arrival of 7 passionate college students who will mentor these high school leaders all summer long, a 7 day backpacking trip in Colorado (midsummer), and a 5 day trip to Pine Cove Summer Camp.

We are overjoyed as we watch these leaders emerge and find ourselves both humbled and thrilled at the opportunity to nurture them this summer.  We simply can't imagine the great things God might have them do to massively impact the streets of West Dallas.

We wholeheartedly invite you to join with us in praying for these students.  If you are interested in meeting them we invite and encourage you to come down.  Contact Garrett via email at garrett@mercystreetdallas.org to come up with a time that would work well for you to come get some autographs from these superstars.  Have a magnificent summer!

Restoration is Our Goal

Almost nine years ago we founded Common Ground Montgomery with "restoration" in mind. We were called to locate in Washington Park/Gibbs Village as our geographical focus, but restoration in every area of the lives of all who choose to participate in this ministry is the hope and prayer of our staff. We assume much and trust God for much. We assume that we ALL need to be restored and that this is a life-long process and that God is so powerful and big that He can do whatever He wants, when He wants, and how He wants. 

We assume that every person that chooses to get involved (staff, pastors, donors, teachers, volunteers, board members, mentors, friends, family, neighbors) have deep, broken, messed-up places in their inner lives that need restoration. We believe He has chosen to use as primary instruments broken, weak, needy, humble people and the relationships they enter into as the ground for His powerful work and transformation. 

     

Restoration is not necessarily the same thing as good programs, busy ministry initiatives, self help, disciplined lifestyles, education, accumulation of wealth and status, and/or success; it is more. 

   
When we talk about restoration some people act like it's something to "go back to" - like speaking of times 40 or 50 years ago when the community was not violent, when people left their doors unlocked and kids were disciplined by parents and community alike. Some talk of getting back to "what this country was founded on" and argue restoration to a Christian nation. But in every generation massive injustice, sin, and oppression was practiced to and by many, notably even those who claimed Christ. 

     

 Restoration is more than relative peace, safety, and diminished mass shootings, crime, and terrorism. God says, through Paul, that he is restoring to the rightful places love, relationships, marriage, sex, language, money; ALL things. 

   

This is the goal. It matters that kids have access to the opportunity and healthy environment for their development into the creative and equipped Images of God that they were made to be.                      

   
Restoration is absolutely NOT a short term thing. 

     

It's why "door-to-door evangelism", or "drive-by evangelism", is not enough - great and needed as it is, but only a beginning at best. 

     

Restoration into the redeemed image of God is the goal. 

     

People experiencing restoration are the kind of people who love as they have been loved; nothing else will be enough. Those kind of people and families cross all lines and move toward others in humility who won't move towards them (because nothing else will be enough: no government reconciliation policies, no calling the "other side" out through social media, and no mainstream media rhetoric will ever be enough). I am grateful for the actions of policy makers and non-violent protests because they have accomplished great systemic change, which is needed, but it will be ineffective by itself in changing the hearts of people. 

     

Only God's work, in the hearts of people who are able to move towards one another in deep humility will accomplish Kingdom trajectory changes. This is where restoration comes in. God chooses to do this, I earnestly believe, in real relationships. 

     

He is after utter wholeness. 

     

He is after deep change. He is after bringing light and His presence into the deepest, darkest, most hidden, most defended, and most broken parts that we still all have as followers and "saved" people.        

These are the relationships we seek to create through living in this community, through creating space for friends, family, teachers, tutors, coaches, mentors, kids, adults, different races, different cultures, and those with all kinds of different Christian traditions, to be together and to truly connect in consistent and lasting time together; to be restored together. It is so painful at times. It is so sad and frustrating. But, my friends, it is so very worth it. 

    

I think this is what Jesus notes as "fruit that will last," at least, as we abide in Him and abide together. We will not have heaven here, of that I am sure. But I think we can have so much more than the poverty we all have accepted. What if there are, in increasing measure, beautiful expressions and experienced glimpses of the Kingdom of God that serve as a growing foretaste of what's coming on that future glorious Day? 

     

     Thank you for helping us create space, time, and an environment where God is doing beautiful things among us. Your partnership is deeply necessary and the chosen instrument God is using. You are literally: called, sent, and the very answer of our prayer. May God continue to bless your help and sacrifice. 

Founder and Executive Director of Common Ground Montgomery, Bryan Kelly, along with his wife, Delta, and four boys, believe they have been called to become part of the fabric of Montgomery’s Washington Park community for the purpose of its transformation. Find our more about Common Ground Montgomery

A True Picture of Love

Valentine hearts stuffed chocolates. Red, pink, and white roses. Romantic Hallmark cards that say “I love you” in fifty different ways. All this and more are flooding the entrances to every grocery store across Dallas. Many say this day emphasizes love, others say it puts unnecessary pressure on love. While others, especially on Valentine’s Day, are still trying to understand what love truly is.  1 John 3:16 says “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

It’s difficult to find this type of selfless love today; however I met with Annie Roberson of Mercy Street and found that there have been women living this out every week for the last eight years. Grace Bible church partnered with Mercy Street eight years ago to meet the need to minister to parents of the children involved in the mentor program. What began as a ministering opportunity has now grown into true, loving relationships.

Gale Smith of Grace Bible Church gathered women from her community to travel over to West Dallas to meet with the women living in the Lakeview Townhome apartments. They knocked on doors and asked women to join them for fellowship, food, and a bible study. It wasn’t long before relationships began to form between the two different groups of women. “You can teach about loving others that are different from you all day long. It doesn’t count until you are intentional and go out of your way to build relationships” said Annie. The women encouraged each other, carried each other’s burdens, meditated on the word of God, and prayed for each other.

One year later, they moved the bible study to Mercy Street, opening it up to women beyond Lakeview apartments. The women are asked to come as they are. Grace Bible continues to prepare drinks and food to serve the women of West Dallas. They even provide child care so the women can focus on their time with each other and with God.

“These women truly delight in coming over to see us, and we actually love these women. Dialoguing together, sharing stories, and identifying with each other’s struggles. When we come together, we are sisters in Christ,” said Annie. “We have to stretch our reach to meet people of different cultures. God said, ‘Go and make disciples.’ So, that’s what we’re doing! We seek to model cross-cultural relationships in order to glorify Christ and the love that He has for all of His children.”

The group visits the Dallas Arboretum together in the summer, celebrate birthdays every quarter, and meet each other’s needs throughout the year. It’s clear these two groups of women exemplify love in the way God intended. They both are getting out of their comfort zones, laying down selfish desires, and focusing on the needs of their sisters in Christ. Annie’s closing thoughts were beautiful: “I’m so grateful to have a friend like Gale Smith, and grateful for the women of Grace Bible. We should learn from them… Be intentional, obey God, and don’t always surround yourself with people that are just like you. Mix it up! Make disciples.”

Thank you, Annie, Gale, and the rest of the women involved in this beautiful picture of love. Let this story remind us of the true love of Christ, and may we all learn to love others in this way.

Bins...Baskets...and Blessings!

Last month, a group of 9th graders from Highland Park High School held a drive to collect items for the Carver Elementary  "Carver Store". Below is an email the organizer of the event sent out to the parents and students who participated. 

GW Carver has an incentive store for the students in PreK to 5th grade. When a student is "caught being good" and exemplifying leadership, they receive a Carver Buck. These bucks add up, and at the end of the week, those with bucks in hand can go and purchase items from the store. Many times, there are never enough items for all the students to participate. The principle has asked for donations for the store and [Mercy Street] feel that the 9th graders are a perfect fit! 

Mercy Me, Mercy Me, Mercy Me!!!

1st Annual Mercy Street Drive mission accomplished! 

Sweetest parents! (Please share this email with your 9th grader.) I sit here teary eyed because of the results of yesterday. Blessing upon blessing upon blessing. The first sentence that comes to mind... 

Witnessing yesterday was a very humbling experience. 

What started in 2011 with Charlie Doherty and Michael Mills gathering a group of boys collecting bikes for Mercy Street's Bike Shop turned into adding the girls, an elementary school, and many more surprises in 2014! 

This year, the boys partnered with Mercy Street to provide items for the Carver Elementary Store in West Dallas. Children will earn "Carver Bucks" when they are caught doing something good. They can then use these bucks to purchase the items YOU GUYS DONATED! 

First of all, on behalf of everyone- THANK YOU!!! 

We were SPEECHLESS and "giddy" with the staff at Mercy Street as we witnessed the items being brought through the front door. These items were well thought out and it was obvious that you all had taken time and made an effort to collect and gather them. 

Some of you used your business contacts to get AMAZING products in bulk, others went to their dentist for multiple tooth paste tubes, and then some of you grabbed your kids and hit the stores! You stocked up on meeting their daily needs for kleenex, socks, and shampoo, while others bought footballs, barbies, puzzles, paints, books, toys, and trinkets! There were even beautiful fragile crosses that were handpicked to donate. 

I know a hardworking mom will be blessed beyond words when she unwraps the beautiful cross on Christmas morning. A young girl will wash her new Barbie's hair with her new strawberry scented shampoo. A young son will throw the football with his younger brother in the front yard after school. A young artist will take up a love for painting as she uses her new paint set. A sweet boy will start to read with great interest because he earned the book himself. An inquisitive girl will write her first book in the journal (and purple gel pen) set she couldn't wait to buy. A family will come together to play the fun game that their child excitedly brought home from school. And last but not least, a parent will ask her child where her new backpack came from and she will see explain that it was a reward for her exhibiting strong character and making wise choices. 

And it gets even better- a woman that arranges the shelves for large corporations like Target is volunteering her time to come in next week to itemize, arrange, and place in the Carver supply store! (I will send pics.) 

It is truly moving to witness first hand your very own community showing up in ways that you would never have imagined! We are not a perfect community and we have many flaws, but there is one thing that we consistently do and that is.... we show up! We think about those that are in need. We do what it takes to press through. We follow through when called upon. It is an honor to be part of this community with you all. 

It truly is a humbling experience to witness many children that you have known since they were born step into becoming young adults, assuming responsibility, and giving their time to bless those that deserve blessing. I can only imagine what your children will accomplish and impact as our future leaders of the next generation. 

What a great opportunity this is to reflect with your kiddos on what this experience has meant to them. While some might respond in typical "few-word" teen fashion, others might share more than you expected. (We would love any and all feedback.) 

Thank you ALL so very much for sharing your precious precious pumpkins with us and taking the time to make a difference! 

On behalf of the Doherty's and the Mills... May you be blessed because YOU have blessed so many children. Many blessings you might not hear or know about, but be reminded that they are still there, alive and multiplying.  

It is an honor to serve along side all of you guys!

Have a great day!
Melanie Ross Mills, M.A,