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Introduction to God's City, My City
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God’s City, My City
With very few exceptions, I have spent my life and ministered in big cities such as, Havana, Madrid, the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, and New York City. I also had the opportunity of ministering and visiting for short periods of time in some other big cities of North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Just about everywhere, does not matter where I am or have been, I have heard Christians speak about the city with disregard, and I have seen some churches isolate themselves from the urban setting. It seems as if in some Christian circles the city is looked at as a synonym of sin, corruption, total doom, a place forsaken and relinquished by God and many of His people. Often, I hear people who seem to trust and believe in God talking about how we should all leave the city. Every time I hear that, I wonder, if we all leave the cities, who will preach to the people who live there? I also wonder, once people move out of the cities into the mountains, who are they going to preach to, the deers and rabbits?
Having seen the disconnection between our mission and our actions for far too long, I decided to study the relationship between God, His followers, and the city, through the Bible times. I was surprised to notice that most of those beautiful Bible stories of faith and hope take place in urban settings, in cities. It is noteworthy that many Bible spiritual heroes grew up and became relevant in the city. Of course, I could not miss the fact that a good part of Jesus ministry was spent ministering through the cities of Palestine. Paul’s ministry also took him through the main cities of his time.
Does God love the city? You bet He does. God does not love the city because the city is lovable, humble, loving, and kind. God loves the city because it is inhabited by a sea of humanity, called people, many people, and God is crazy in love with the people He created. God is not in love with buildings and skylines, though He is the one who gave creativity and vision to those who designed these magnificent structures. God is in love with the people who live and work in each one of those light windows that you see on the tall skyscrapers and tall city buildings. God loves people and He has called us to help Him in this mission of baptizing and making disciples of all people. If we want to fulfill His mission we need to minister where the people are, in the city.
This is why, our theme for this year is: God’s City, My City. Your city, town, municipality is not only your city, it is also God’s City, it was His long before you lived there, but He wants to use you to save the people who live there, around you.
Together with the volunteer Leadership Team of the Adventist Youth Ministries Department, the Adventist Community Services of Greater New York, and thosuands of youth, kids, young adults, and adults, we intend to raise the awareness of our responsibility in ministering to our cities.
As we begin this year, we are determined to make it different, it will not be business as usual for the Youth, Young Adults, Pathfinders, Adventurers, or any one involved with our ministries in Greater New York. It is time to translate talk into action. We will reach God’s City, we will preach not only with our voices, but with our acts of compassion, we will speak with our hands.
Use these Resources as a Guide to understand God’s love for your City, the importance of ministering in the City, and the how to.
Wanting to make a difference in God’s City, Your City, & My City,
Jose
Pastor Jose H. Cortes, Jr., Director
Department of Adventist Youth Ministries
Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
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