wfn.org | Church finds peace message

[BethAH <BethAH@mbm.org>]

July 11, 2001
Beth Hawn
Mennonite Board of Missions
(219) 294-7523
<NEWS@MBM.org>

July 11, 2001

Lee Heights finds peace message fits its context

CLEVELAND (MBM)  When drug dealers started working in the
parking lot of Lee Heights Community Church  where children from
the congregations day-care center play  the church decided to
be just as bold.

Volunteers from the congregation began sitting outside the
church, talking with the dealers and inviting them to Narcotics
Anonymous meetings at the church.

We werent antagonistic, but we had to let them know we werent
going to hide inside, said Robin Miller, pastor of Lee Heights
since 1992.

In Lee Heights, the Cleveland neighborhood farthest from the
citys police district, dealers ride city buses to the
neighborhood to sell drugs on Lee Road.  The impoverished
neighborhood, which was middle class until the late 1970s,
endures gun and knife fights and coexists with fear (although
drug dealing recently has been on the decline).

We see a broken world out our window every day.  Its going to
come knocking on our door if we dont reach out, Miller said.

Lee Heights does reach out, driven by the gospel of peace  the
only kind of witness Miller believes can make a difference in the
city.

Its important to be Mennonite because of the peace message.
People want to hear it.  Theyre tired of the violence, he said.

This is why I believe that not just any Christian doctrine will
do.  In the city, its not just any gospel, its the gospel of
peace thats needed here.  Otherwise, were going to keep
fighting the same old problems.
Hands-on community ministry requires active participation.  The
396-member, multi-ethnic congregation operates 20 ministries and
still finds time for church council, choirs, and the work of
elders and ushers.  About 60 percent of the congregation lives in
the neighborhood.

Thanks to a focus on youth programs and evangelism, the
43-year-old congregation has outgrown its sanctuary, moving to
two Sunday-morning services so it can continue to welcome new
participants.

Most of the people who look at our ministries cant believe how
much we do with so few people and such limited resources, Miller
said.  The people who do the most work are the most energized.
I dont try to figure that out.  I just praise the Lord that we
have that kind of commitment.

Every participant is encouraged to consider leadership.  We work
at leadership development at all levels, Miller said.  We tried
outside searches (for leadership positions in the congregation),
but it didnt work as well as training our own people.

The congregation places particular emphasis on encouraging their
youth to consider pastoral ministry.  We encourage young people
to commit to becoming pastors if they feel called to that, and we
will find the funding to train them, he said.

If we train them and they leave, thats OK.  Thats part of our
evangelism.  Its just part of our job to do the training.

Were constantly calling.  We say, Anyone who feels called to
ministry, let us know.

* * *

Bethany Swope       PHOTOS AVAILABLE