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.