Returning from a trip to Detroit, Baltimore/DC and New York City (and Long Island) a pastor from Friendship Fellowship outlined some of the meetings with Inner City Pastors who were excited to hear about Friendship Fellowship and the House Church Movement of the Rocky Mountain District through Ancient Paths House Church in Denver. In all of these areas and with the challenges of most cities it became apparent that the vision to “plant churches to spread a revolution of love is the helpful hope that we can all buy into.
Sheer numbers
There are more “Special Needs families” than ever who want to be included in their communities and partnering with Ancient Paths/Friendship Fellowship a way spur involvement and outreach to the inner-city. In El Paso county in Colorado alone there are approximately 2,000 adults and 500 children with developmental disabilities waiting to receive services through Medicaid waiver programs. Another 5,500 families are waiting to receive Family Support Services, which assist with the costs of caring for children with developmental disabilities. “Multiply that by 4 or 5 and you will get the average of the needs in larger metro areas,” says the pastor. ‘Churches can fill in the gap on many levels and become a viable resource by just inviting them into fellowship.”
Friendship Fellowship by County
During the first eight weeks of this fiscal year Friendship Fellowship has reached 120 people with Intellectual Disabilities, caregivers and a scattering of family members in three Friendship plants. In January a plan in opening a permanent Friendship Fellowship church at the Mission Coffee House on Wednesday nights for community leaders and couples to take part in studies and training, relationship building and outreach, while their kids are at the various church youth and Awanas in Colorado Springs. On Saturday afternoons/early evening a fellowship on Voyager and Interquest is being planned. On Sunday mornings a house church at the coffee house in the Northgate area will help in developing community.
The Motor City, DC and The Big Apple
“I will continue to be in contact with the Detroit; DC and New York pastors and hope to help them plant Friendship Fellowship by organizing mission trips to equip and train special needs pastors in the inner- city and community leaders to reach out to this population that will revolutionize our serve,” the pastor goes on to say. If you would like to get involved or support Friendship Fellowship in Colorado or in the mission field of your city; contact FriendshipFellowship@juno.com.
The special needs in your town « East Coast Cafe-Triology said,
November 13, 2012 at 9:15 pm
[...] The special needs in your town. [...]