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Serving TOGETHER to Reach the Homeless in Houston

When Lynelle and I first moved to Houston, we were astonished at the number of homeless people on each corner. Coming from the Midwest, we had rarely experienced that kind of harsh reality.

We found ourselves eager to help the homeless near the UofH campus; initially investing a lot of time to put together care packets with used clothing, food, drinks, and bibles. As much as I thought that was helpful and appreciated, it was a lot of work. Throwing money at these guys was a lot easier, after all (but not helpful to them - see 2 Thess. 3:10).

So, here we were with a need and willingness to help, but unsure as to the proper way to help. Then a friend from our small group showed me something called a “homeless care packet” - a Ziploc bag that contained some essential food items, some toiletries, a bible, and two important components - a list of phone numbers of local homeless shelters and city bus tokens to get them there.

Consequently, the rest of our group liked the idea and in one night we tackled the objective of making 100 bags... together. We all left that night with 7+ in hand to use throughout the week in our daily commutes.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. (Ecc. 4:9)

- Colin Rowley

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Missional Community Through Family

Many would say I've had it easy... growing up in a Christian home; a child of parents in full-time ministry; sitting under God's Word daily from an early age. Yep, no wonder I'm SOLD OUT to Jesus, right?

While that assumption is way off (I was born a sinner like you, you know), I think we fail to grasp the inherent power of "family" in terms of living in a missional community. I'll show you what I mean.

When I turned 21, I was aching to get out of the house and out from under my parents eye. You probably remember saying the same thing I did, "I can't wait to be on my own." And that's what I did - except not in the normal course most college students go (i.e. dorm life). Instead, a slightly-older married couple did something incredibly humble and brave - invite me to LIVE with them.

He was a seminary student heading into the pastorate and she was an incredible selfless person who loved to serve and live by example.

In no time, I was drawn into their family as if I was blood-related. I loved each of them as if my own brother and sister. More importantly, he discipled me - spending time together in God's Word and prayer. In those three years as a member of their family, I'd come to grow closer to my heavenly Father more than any other moment I've had since.

While I realize this form of discipleship is not meant for everyone (i.e. can become dangerous without the right precautions), Lynelle and I opened our home two years ago and haven't looked back. While our relationship with Elizabeth has taken a different form than mine with Burk, God is present and working in all of us and she is apart of our family.

- Colin Rowley

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Cookies & Cute Kids

Since Kristen and I have been married we have lived in four houses in three different cities.  In each neighborhood we have learned that people generally want to know their neighbors.  As we look back at our church planting years in Austin it is funny to confess that one of the best ways we got people plugged into our little house church was through cookies & cute kids.

When we first moved onto Malvern Hill Dr. we made cookies for all our neighbors.  Mason was at the cute age of 7-months-old.  I had knocked on doors in the past but it was amazing how cookies and a cute kid seemed to open more doors.  We simply said that we were new to the neighborhood, wanted to meet our neighbors, and wanted to bring them some cookies.  This simple approach works even if you have been in your house for years.  You might say that you have a New Years Resolution to get to know your neighbors better and just wanted to come say “hello”.

We would ask questions about the neighborhood, offer to have them over for dinner, and I began asking if there had ever been block parties done on the street.  Some were less interested, but over the next couple of months we ended up meeting most everyone on the street and even having five of the families over for dinner at different points.  After six months two of the families were attending our little house church.  Later that year we hosted our first block party on National Night Out.  Community was being built.

Making cookies and walking across the street to say “hello” was a fun and natural way to make some new friends and have an eternal impact.  It also helps if you have cute kids!

- Micah Caswell

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Need a New Year's Resolution?

January 1^st not only started a New Year it also started a New Decade!  The New Year brings hope and excitement as we wonder what the next year will bring.  It is also the perfect time to evaluate ourselves and make New Year’s Resolutions.

Ok, I know, they are a little cheesy and we all have treadmills that only see action when our toddlers swing them (sorry, too much information).   But seriously, Resolutions can be great things.  If you are a theology geek like me, then let me remind you that even Jonathan Edwards had a powerful list of Resolutions that guided his life.  I have always liked #7 “Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.”

If you are looking for a New Year’s Resolution or if you simply need to be challenged in your spiritual life, then I want to call you to dwell like Jesus in 2010.  John 1:14 says, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”.  Jesus left the comforts of his Trinitarian culture to strategically live within another culture with the purpose of glorifying God by making disciples.  He went, extended grace, made disciples, and thus glorified God. Jesus was a missionary!

We are starting a new little techie initiative called Dwell Like Jesus in order to spur each other on to be missionaries.  Dwell Like Jesus is a weekly journal found online at our Bethel website, DwellLikeJesus.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.  These journals will be about how each us can live missional lives like Jesus.  They will be practical and do-able ideas as well as fun reads written by a hand-selected group of Bethelites who are dwelling like Jesus.  These “dwellers” are just like you and me, normal people trying to have an impact for the glory of God.

Sign up today at Bethelofhouston.com, DwellLikeJesus.com, or on Facebook, or Twitter.

- Micah Caswell

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The Idea Behind the "Dwell Like Jesus" Web Initiative at Bethel

Dwell Like Jesus is a strategic effort to use technology as well as insights from Bethel “dwellers” to spur one another on to the missionary call.  John 1:14 says that Jesus incarnationally “dwelt among us.” This means that He left His Trinitarian culture and strategically lived within another culture with the purpose of glorifying God by making disciples.  Like Jesus, we are also called to be incarnational “dwellers”; people who use their culture to reach their culture.

We have handpicked a successful group of “dwellers” to share their insights on how to practically engage those whom God has put into your life.  Even the most introverted and busy have opportunities to influence people we work with, hangout with, and live near.  

We all need strategy to influence.  This means that we need to be reminded of our missionary call as well as glean practical ideas from others; which is where "Dwell Like Jesus" comes into play.

More information to follow over the next few days. Stay tuned...