“We must unite. 
We must come together in these days. 
I sense that coming together in the
Mission America Coalition.”
Dr. Bob Lowman
Executive Director of Metrolina Prayer Network in Charlotte, NC, at the
Mission America Coalition (MAC) Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL., October 11-13

LOVING OUR COMMUNITIES TO CHRIST
With an emphasis on reaching our nation with the Good News of Jesus Christ, MAC partners prayed and strategized together around Loving Our Communities to Christ (LC2C), a framework through which pastors and Christian leaders come together for evangelism and outreach. LC2C connects local and national ministries by creating bridges between the grassroots, frontlines ministry and larger ministries who have developed tools and resources that can help reach communities and regions with the Gospel of Christ. During a panel discussion with six veteran city-reachers, Rev. Charles Daugherty, of Serve the City in Cedar Rapids, IA said LC2C offers “a way for all of us to work together.” He added that “The whole concept of these national ministries serving us is such a different concept instead of us being used by their ministry – it’s amazing.”

MAC Chair Dr. Paul Cedar believes that a key to LC2C is unity in the Body of Christ and that “Spiritual unity cannot be legislated.  Spiritual unity is an incredible gift from God.” According to Cedar city leaders who have a passion for the spiritual transformation of their community are “true servants of Jesus who are the hearts and hands of ministry.”

At the heart of LC2C is a deep desire by Christians for community-wide spiritual transformation throughout the nation – city by city. Dr. Steve Douglass, President of Campus Crusade for Christ, noted that authentic community transformation involves the following:

1. Communities are transformed when people are transformed, one life at a time.
2. People are transformed when God transforms them.
3. Usually God transforms people when God’s people pray and minister.

Rev. Francis Frangipane, Pastor and Author - Advancing Church Ministries, said city reaching and city transformation requires being trustworthy - becoming Christ-like by building relationships with others in a city and region and dismantling those things that have become barriers to greater fellowship and ministry. “We must be faithful to Christ by showing ourselves loving,” he added.

“God is at work in America,” asserted Mr. Jim Overholt, Executive Director of the Mission America Coalition. While providing MAC partners with an update on LC2C, Overholt emphasized that one evidence that God is at work is the tremendous support from leaders for collaborative city transformation through LC2C. The unity and consensus of spirit among Christian leaders for LC2C is “astounding” he said. 

Overholt says LC2C builds on the premise that the local church is God’s chosen vehicle for evangelism. But he stressed that “for the Church to be the Church, its culture must change through repentance, revival and renewal.” Dr. Larry DeWitt, President of Cornerstone Network, said in order to serve the city, a new “DNA” must be developed in churches, a new DNA that includes:

1. Brokenness before God, one another and for lost people.
2. A foundation of prayer, a lifestyle of care and a willingness to share.
3. A personal commitment by leaders to model praying, caring and sharing, while mentoring others by sharing personal experiences.
4. A time commitment and dedication to real city transformation.

By “calling God’s people together to Love Our Communities to Christ, MAC is sounding a trumpet call to unity and to action,” a call Overholt says is drawing Christian leaders together “in a remarkable show of unity and passion for sharing the love and grace of Jesus.” As the church works together, he concluded, every community will come to see Christians who are “authentic ambassadors for Christ, who pray for them, care for them and share with them the Light of Christ.” 

ENGAGING THE MEDIA
The morning before the Annual Meeting, several hundred pastors and Christian leaders participated in a Narnia Sneak Peek at Wheaton Bible Church. In addition to viewing clips from the soon to be released The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, leaders also heard about resources developed by Outreach, Inc. and others to promote the evangelistic and outreach opportunities surrounding the release of the film. (Click here for a report on a recent screening of Narnia from Jim Overholt. Access Narnia Resources here.)

That night, MAC Annual Meeting participants  heard from Douglas Gresham, the stepson of C.S. Lewis, who shared insight into the life of Lewis, Lewis’ writing of The Chronicles of Narnia, and the production of the film. Gresham said he believes the movie is a faithful adaptation of Lewis’ book and offers a visually stunning tale of redemption and heroism that won’t disappoint viewers.

In light of the Narnia film, and other recent films and television programs that address faith-issues, Dr. Ted Baehr, Publisher of MovieGuide, urged Christian leaders to faithfully pray for media executives and use their influence to encourage wholesome, family entertainment. Baehr and his son James have just released a book called Narnia Beckons, which offers a unique look at the life of C.S. Lewis and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  

MOVING FORWARD
At the close of the Annual Meeting, leaders expressed a strong feeling that God had truly met them at the meeting and that closer friendships were being developed that will enhance both personal and ministry collaboration. A time of prayer closed the meeting, as together the leaders prayed for one another, for city leaders, resource providers and the MAC team.

In the coming weeks, MAC will announce the pilot cities for Loving Our Communities to Christ as well as seek input from MAC partners on tools and resources for cities.