Posts

Posted on

“I Will Build My Church”

Dear Supporters, 

In our last prayer letter, I wrote about the encouraging and prophetic words of Dr. Vernon Rosenau. Our God has also reminded me of an encounter I had with Dr. Jason Ormiston, a professor at Bob Jones University, pastor of a church in the Greenville area and board member of Baptist Mid-Missions. It was around a year ago, when I was visiting with Dr. Ormiston, seeking advice on how best to network with BJU for strategic globalized city ministry. He explained that because of my new responsibilities with Boston and Beyond, I should move to the Greenville area or an area like Greenville. His thinking was that it would be much easier to recruit vocational workers for Boston and Beyond if I lived closer to more potential workers. To say the least, I did not think much of his idea, being bound heart and soul to my beloved Boston. But now, a year later, the Lord has providentially led us to a place like Dr Ormiston described. Indeed, I am beginning to see the wisdom of his words. Actually, I prefer the word, networking, to recruiting,- because areas like Iowa or South Carolina, where there is a larger number of like-minded churches, makes it easier to work together in many ways to accomplish a common purpose, like ministering the gospel globally. 

Last week, Deb and I visited with Elva Craig, who is looking forward to joining her Lord in heaven soon. Elva is perhaps the most effective international student worker I have ever know. In fact, she has now visited China four times,  following up on disciples made in Iowa, mostly at the University of Iowa. It is comforting to know that we will be able to partially fill her shoes as we begin developing relationships with the global community of Iowa City. In fact, there is a team of workers diligently laboring in Iowa City, ministering to the international academic community. We hope we can help these servants in their efforts to disciple the world from Iowa City.  

Last Sunday we spoke at Calvary Baptist Church of Dysert, Iowa, which gave us an opportunity to explain our move of ministry to Iowa. The folks of Calvary were exceedingly supportive. On Monday of this week, Deb and I met with a missions team from Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary. They will join us in Boston for a week in August. Monday afternoon we attended a fellowship of churches meeting in Des Moines where we were able to meet up with many pastors from our supporting churches in Iowa.  We hope to be in all of our supporting churches in order to report on our new ministry location. Wednesday night we began to get acquainted with some of the ministry team in Iowa City. Saturday, we leave for Minneapolis where we will meet up with friends who labor in the inner city of Milwaukee. Together we will attend Family Church, where we will visit with Jason’s father, Lee Ormiston. We do this to help our friends in Milwaukee get to know the Ormistons, who have labored faithfully and effectively in the inner city of Minneapolis. On Sunday evening, we will attend the commissioning service of Jean Tsen, who is a Boston and Beyond worker. Then on Monday and Tuesday of next week, we will be attending classes at Central Seminary and be involved in a discussion concerning city ministry with seminarians. On Tuesday afternoon of next week, we return briefly to Boston. In addition to this, we continue several online meetings across the Untied States and around the world (Russia, Japan, China). As you can see, we remain fully engaged in ministry.  Our stewardship remains: 10 discipleship centers in 10 cities representing 10 civilizations. 

Life giving Words

After our announcement of our change of ministry location, many friends and supporters gave words of encouragement. They were greatly needed and much appreciated. 

“Dear Bill and Deb: I appreciated your prayer letter outlining the changes ahead. It was transparent about your fears yet revealed such hope in Christ. It was very encouraging to me. I deeply respect what you said about ministering to your parents. It is an example I will not forget. We will continue to pray for you as you make this transition. We send our love to you.”

Another,

“In my study of Isaiah, I read this morning, 

‘For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?

His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?’

It will be exciting to see what God does in this next chapter.”

And another,

Bill & Deb:

“You are doing the right thing.  Thanks for your example!

Praying the Lord will bless every aspect of this move.” 

Prayer Requests 

  1. Continue to pray as we form new relationships with not-yet-believers from the global community of Iowa City and Iowa University.
  2. Pray as we get acquainted with team members in Iowa City who are already ministering on the campus of Univ. of Iowa. 
  3. Pray for a ministry team coming to Boston from Faith this summer. Pray that we are able to give them a good introduction to city ministry. 
  4. Pray for our time with the seminarians at Central Seminary of Minneapolis. We hope to explain principles of effective city ministry. 
  5. Pray for us as we seek to schedule meetings in all of our supporting churches to report and explain our move to Iowa. (I will be calling pastors in the Northeast next week and in the Midwest in two weeks) 
  6. Please pray that our churches will understand the move to be of the Lord and profitable, not only for family, but also for ministry—the fulfillment of the Boston and Beyond ministry plan. 
  7. Pray as we invite new supporters to our financial team.

“When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.
But Philip found himself at Azotus”

We love you, 

Bill and Deb

Posted on

The Reality We Face

Hebrews 8:13 (NAS): When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.

Devotional Thought: That which is obsolete is the law that condemns. It is weak in that it is not able to stop us from sinning. The New Covenant, which is God’s covenant with Israel, is based upon the removal of all sin in the cross and results in a perfect relationship with God and sinless living. 

We non-Jewish people receive the benefits of the New Covenant as recipients of the Abrahamic covenant, “in Him all the nations will be blessed.” The two covenants are linked by the same foundation of Christ’s death to remove sin. 

However, we, as opposed to Israel, who will realize the full benefits of the New Covenant in the Millennial Kingdom, still struggle with sin, because we live in a time when the world, the flesh, and the devil still surround us with evil intent. So, although we have a heart that desires God and hates sin, we often fail allowing the world and the flesh and the devil to lead us astray.

What should we do then: 1) we don’t revert to the law, which says we deserve death. 2) we do confess our sin receiving forgiveness and start again, standing up straight realizing that Christ death is “far greater than all our sin”.

So we then exercise dominion 

Posted on

God is for Us

Hebrews 8:1–2 (NAS): Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.

Devotional Thought: He is always present praying for us, having already removed all past, present and future sins, He intercedes in our behalf. Having saved us eternally, He is now working constantly to save us day by day—He has our back. 

If you blow it today, He will save you anyway. If you kill it, He is pumping His fist in exhilaration. 

Exercise Dominion

Posted on

Everything will Change!

Dear Fellow-workers, 

It was early Tuesday morning November 21, 2017 that Vernon Rosenau , ( at that time, the president of Baptist Mid-Missions), stood in our doorway preparing to leave for his return trip to Cleveland. Deb and I had spent several days talking with him about the vision for ministering in globalized cities. Those were exciting, exhilarating days which laid the foundation to what was to become Boston and Beyond. As Dr Rosenau was saying  goodbye, it struck me what a momentous meeting this had been.  I said to Dr. Rosenau, “Now everything is going to change. He replied, “ Yes, it is, and the Rosenaus are here to tell you, it will be ok.” 

You see, Dr. Rosenau’s family history is tied very closely with the history of Baptist Mid-Missions—Vernon Rosenau was a third generation missionary to the Central African Republic. During his visit he explained to me the personal pain it caused him when God made it clear that he was to leave Africa. He said tears were pouring down his face. When he told Deb and me things would be ok, he was speaking from experience. After leaving Africa, Dr. Rosenau served the Lord in broader ways and became a blessing to the whole world. 

Dr. Rosenau’s words, “It will be ok”, comfort Deb and me as God continues to bring significant change to our lives and ministry.  We trust that His moving in us will bring more fruitfulness, as well. 

I explained to you last summer about our need to spend time, monthly, in Iowa, to care for family needs. Well, now we have come to realize that we need to spend most of our time in Iowa, which means Boston will no longer be our ministry headquarters—Iowa will be. This has been a very difficult decision, but actually, there really was no choice—God’s firm hand led us firmly 🙂 We cannot minister to the world while not caring for our parents. It is with tears we leave Boston, with hearts full of wonderful gospel centered memories. We love Boston, the ministry in Boston, and our fellow warriors of the International Baptist Church, who will be greatly missed. There is no choice, however. As you can tell, the pain is real, and we could use your prayers.
 

At the same time, we are excited as God is beginning to show us the rest of the story. Laying aside the ministry responsibilities of Boston allows more focus on other areas of City Ministry. (Boston will remain an intricate part of the ministry, but at some point a name change from Boston and Beyond may be in order).  Let me give you a glimpse of what we see God doing. I can do so by using the main points regularly presented as the Boston and Beyond (City Ministry) Plan. 

We will have a new location, but are bringing with us 40 years of experience in missions, local church ministry, teaching, evangelism, and city ministry. Our desire is to use this experience to help prepare and launch qualified missionaries into strategic cities, globally. We hope to prepare these individuals to do what God led us to do—inhabit a global city in order to minister the gospel to the whole world. 
 

The Plan:

Build the Church—The International Baptist Church (IBC) is far from self-supporting, but it has a gifted core of people who are equipped to do the work of ministry. They know what I know, and with prayer and arduous labor, they are able to complete the task. Deb and I will continue to recruit interns, vocational workers, and tentmakers for the IBC of Boston. 

Evangelize the Nations—Evangelism has historically been our strength and passion. Our house is 20 minutes from Iowa City, a global community and home to the Univ. of Iowa, where we will have ample opportunity to develop relationships, which will hopefully become Bible studies, and then believers in Christ. Iowa City is much smaller than Boston, with a fraction of the global community of Boston. However, with the limited time Deb and I have to give to the evangelistic stewardship of the globalized city initiative, Iowa City will be fine.  

Recruit the Workers—This is where I become excited. The Midwest is an awesome place to recruit workers, with a strong number of like-minded churches, a solid Bible college,  as well as two sound theological seminaries within driving distance. This will make it much easier to build the foundation we need for Boston and Beyond—City Ministry.  Iowa is a plus for those reasons. 

Selecting the Cities—This involves studying cities, looking at statistics (demographics), and visiting them personally. This is as easily done from Iowa, as it is from Boston. O’hare Airport works as well as Logan 🙂

Launch the Teams—Deb and I entered Boston more than 20 years ago with a vision for the city, but with little knowledge of how to minister in the city. We still have much to learn, but what we have learned, we hope to deliver to others who have a God-driven passion to enter the globalized cities of our world. We believe we can provide some guidance for succeeding in the city. By God’s grace and omnipotent power, we will find the cities, advertise the cities, recruit the workers and help them flourish in their God-appointed city. 

So, God is still on His throne and our Savior is still building His church, and Dr Rosenau was correct: It will be ok.

Missiologist Roland Allen

“Paul thought in terms of regions rather than cities or villages. Paul established discipleship centers from which the gospel could travel to the surrounding regions, and he considered his work finished when he had finished establishing these discipleship centers. So when the discipleship centers, which were to carry the gospel out to the world of Paul, were finished, Paul had finished the race.”

From my thesis GLOBAL-CHURCH PLANTING WITHIN THE MOBILE ACADEMIC AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES OF THE BOSTON METROPOLITAN AREA [found on www.interglo.org , 
link: The Plan—bottom of page. (pg. 117)]

Posted on

Disappearing

Recently some friends and colleagues took issue/offense at the suddenness of our announcement that we were leaving Boston. It was a surprise to me, since the circumstances of our departure were well known, as we had prayed together about them for months. Really, there was no choice, and I thought this was clear. It seems to me if they thought as much about me as I think about them, they would know what was about to happen.

I’m not sure what was expected, and I expect each person handles goodbyes differently. I don’t like long goodbyes, filled with awkward moments and obligatory best wishes or forced praise.

The main reason for handling the situation as I did was I came to the realization that it was time to go and so I did. It was difficult to acknowledge the reality to myself and once I did, it just seemed best to let others know without delay. After all, our supporters deserved to know what was happening sooner rather than later.

Also, I believe I was I led by the Holy Spirit. Some may dispute this, thinking that love for one another demands a more thoughtful way of departing. However, Philip the Evangelist seemed to move suddenly by the overpowering leading of the Holy Spirit. Its’ difficult to imagine he had time to collaborate with others before going to a destination that seemed to even surprise him. Is there room in the church for Philip like people? Maybe there is, but perhaps they should not be administrators.

That may be the problem. Philip was an evangelist and not an administrator. As an evangelist, he needed to be free to move to where the Holy Spirit would link him up with a not-yet-christian. An administrator, on the other hand, must work more closely with people, and, as a result, sudden disappearances are not helpful.

So, I need to manage Boston and Beyond/City Ministry/Nexus City Ministry as a Philip. What would that look like?

  1. Philip must be free to move about. He needs to be free to go without a lot of collaboration
  2. Philip needs to be free to reach people where they are at intellectually and physically
  3. Philip needs to minister the gospel to an unbeliever, continuing the ministry through baptism, teaching them the fundamentals of Christian living and ministry
  4. The organization and administration of Boston and Beyond must be formed based upon these principles

Adoniram Judson also caused hard feelings when leaving places suddenly and without notice. In fact, when he left for the mission field with his newly wed wife, he did so rising early in the morning to avoid goodbyes. His outraged in-laws caught up with him and chastised him severely. Misery loves company:-)

Posted on

2021 and Beyond

Dear Prayer and Financial Supporters, 

It is a new year with new challenges, along side old and reliable promises. “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” In addition: “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations…. And lo, I am with you always…” 

I am reminded of Joseph who victoriously served in a less than democratic administration:-). It was through Joseph that God preserved the people who became Israel, from whom the Savior came. I also think of the Apostle Paul who ministered under the tyranny of Rome. It was this, the Apostle to the Gentiles, who by the sovereign hand of God, was taken as a prisoner to Rome. From the geo-political center of Rome the Gospel was able to travel globally. Finally, it was the faithful Baptist missionary, Adoniram Judson, born not long after the Revolutionary War, who served the Lord during the time of the War of 1812, dying not too many years before the Civil War, who served under a Nebuchadnezzar-like ruler in Burma. He lost two wives, several children, and many missionary colleagues while serving there. Burma also claimed Judson’s life, as well. Yet, he was instrumental in opening Burma to the Gospel, a place missionary William Carey advised him to forget, believing it was beyond hope. 

Joseph, Paul, and Adoniram Judson, did not allow the politics, plagues or hardships of their day to stop them from faithful and victorious service. Instead, they joined God in His sovereign dealings in order to accomplish His will. 

By God’s grace and almighty power, Deb and I are endeavoring to follow the example of Joseph, Paul and Adoniram. Below you will find some to the ways in which we believe God is leading us: 

  1. We will continue to ask God for wisdom to discern how He is working to build the body of Christ in the city. One thing we are sure of, God is working His plan. Therefore, exciting days are ahead. It is our responsibility to discern His plan and join Him. 
  2. We will be aggressive, but wise, as we minister in a pandemic-laced world. Health hazards will be taken under consideration, but trusting the Lord with discipleship opportunities will take first priority. 
  3. We will add to our online meetings/ministry additional online written material to evangelize not-yet-believers, to disciple young, not fully formed believers, and to mobilize individuals to serve in cities. (The Lord willing, Deb and I will write more about this in a future prayer letter.) 

Praises and Prayer

The Boston and Beyond team is on the move: Our colleague, Jean Tsen, is finishing up her deputation ministry and is now working towards moving to Boston. Please pray for the many details as she does so. Megan Mullins is raising support to come serve with Boston and Beyond as an intern. Andrew Eddy is getting married in February and will hopefully start deputation soon. The International Baptist Church is small but with an abundance of leadership potential. We are in regular communication with those international individuals who were once in Boston. The church continues to minister to them as well. I (Bill) will be speaking to students interested in missions at Faith Baptist Bible College on February 8. 

There are other important strategic ministry plan adjustments that will be shared in future communications. But for now, our most important prayer request is for wisdom and discernment to serve effectively in a Covid-filled and geopolitically-challenged city environment.  

As we seek to join our Savior, we are hopeful our most fruitful ministry years are yet ahead. Thankful for you, to be serving with us,

Bill and Deb

The goal of Boston and Beyond a globalized city initiative (B&B) is to obey the Savior by joining Him in the fulfilling of His command to disciple all nations. We believe this is possible for two basic reasons: 1) Jesus has all authority, and He has promised to help those who surrender to do His will. 2) The Savior has providentially prepared globalized cities, places where the nations can be discipled, both locally and globally. 

Posted on

Thursday and the Prophet Daniel

Introduction: The nation Israel was defeated and many citizens of Israel were carried away into captivity. Daniel and his three friends were among those taken

Daily Bible Reading:

Daniel 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, 4 youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king’s court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service. 6 Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach and to Azariah Abed-nego.

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Da 1:1–7). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation. (Emphasis mine)

An Application:

Sometimes we wonder why God allows bad things to happen to us. I’m sure Daniel wondered as well. Notice that Daniel and his friends were outstanding people, but they were taken in captivity. They were of God’s chosen people, and yet they were abused by a pagan king and kingdom. They were even stripped of their names. Despite these terrible circumstances, Daniel rose above his difficult circumstances and lived an exceedingly victorious life. So can we.

Daniel trusted in His God in the midst of crushing circumstances. As we will see, he did this by trusting in His God. So should we.

Confirmation from the Epistles (letters)

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

An Application

God our Savior wants to save us from our daily temptations. He is on our side and will help us. We only need to ask, and He will show us the way. The way will undoubtedly be difficult at times, but a way of escape is always there, if we are willing take it. Let’s do it together.

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (1 Co 10:13). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Posted on

Focus

John 18:11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” (NASB)

During these tense days, I am very tempted to spend an abundance of time focusing on the Black/White racial issues in the USA. Yesterday, during my personal Bible reading, I was reminded, of our Savior’s words to Peter in John 18:11.

Peter, a fisherman by trade and not a swordsman, sliced off the ear of one who was involved with the arrest of Jesus. Jesus corrected Peter, “Put the sword in the sheath.” In other words, Jesus was telling Peter that now was not the time for physical confrontation, for there was and is a greater and more necessary mission.

So it is today, in my life and ministry. While race issues dominate the USA, there remains a much more critical mission—Gospel ministry.

My stewardship, which is also true for Christians in general, is to make the gospel known (Jesus death in the place of sinners). This message is more important than the contemporary struggles of a Christ denying world (The Psalm writer prophesies, “Why do the nations rage?”).

The answer to all social ills is not ultimately better public policy. Rather, it is individual repentance of sin against God, and the receiving of Jesus Christ as Savior.

On the one hand, the problems of this world, including racism, will not be removed until Jesus comes to establish His Kingdom. On the other hand, our personal alienation from God, which causes all of our personal guilt and loneliness, can be healed. We simply need to trust in the Savior who died in our place for our sin, so we can have eternal life with Him.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish put have eternal life.”

Sharing this needs to be my focus.

Will you believe in the Son?

Bill

Posted on

Ministry during the Coronavirus Epidemic

A colleague in ministry asked me to comment on this for the purpose of a presentation she was doing. These were my comments to her with some editing and minor changes.

Jean,

I see the international student population as one sector of a much larger missional opportunity/responsibility found in the global city. Many cities in the United States are in some ways more connected globally than they are regionally. However, as the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated, large cities affect the surrounding areas as the coronavirus spread from global cities to global cities and then into less globalized areas. In fact, the spread of the coronavirus is an illustration of the B&B strategy of ministering in strategic cities, in order to minister to the world. By ministering the gospel in globalized cities, the gospel more naturally spreads globally (just like the coronavirus). This phenomenon is the result of the globalization of the city. Many cities are connected to other international cities by various populations including; academics, immigrants, refugees, business people, tourists, sport communities and government workers. When we touch any one of these communities, we potentially touch the world. It is my belief, for several reasons, that the city is God’s Great Commission gift to the body of Christ. That is to say, our Savior is building His promised church by gathering the world into strategic places called cities, and, therefore, Great Commissioned -minded people should discern the movement of God and join Him. 

The questions in my mind are these: 1) How has the coronavirus affected recent ministry in the city? 2) How are we responding to these challenges? 3) Will there be long term detrimental effects to ministering to the global community as a result of the coronavirus? 4) What are some lessons we have learned during this time of quarantine?

  1. How has the coronavirus affected recent ministry in the city?

It has severely limited personal contact with anyone. One strength of the city is the density of the human population. This density allows us to connect with many different people groups in a short span of time. Just out our door (literally) the world is walking by, and we have the real potential of ministering the gospel to them. This pandemic has brought all of that to a screeching halt. Social distancing is not a ministry tool. 

  1. How are we responding to these challenges?

One thing that we are doing is ministering in a deeper way to those with whom we already have connection. It has been a good time to show the love of God by looking after one another, whether with a Christian or a not-yet-Christian. Caring for folks from the heart with deeds of thoughtfulness helps prepare the ground for a gospel witness. Focusing on those whom we are already ministering will many times lead to new friends interested in learning about God. Since this allows the ministry of the gospel to naturally flow from one person to the next, it is a very healthy way to go about ministry. We have seen this happen during this time of quarantine. 

Since our ministry has always used online tools extensively, it has been relatively easy to do more of the same. In fact, several individuals and families who have left the ministry here to go to other parts of the country/world have checked in to our weekly online services. This has been very edifying to all involved. 

  1. Will there be long term detrimental effects to ministering to the global community as a result of the coronavirus?

I do not think so for a several reasons: a. Cities are too invested in the global community to allow for large scale change now. They can’t afford not to be globalized. b. Cities are a major part of the history and story line of the Bible, beginning in Genesis and finishing, literally, at the end of Revelation. It doesn’t seem biblically possible for cities to become less than globalized at this point in history. c. The plagues of the Tribulation do not appear to be of the same sort as the coronavirus. This leads me to suspect that we as a human race (God’s image bearers) will figure out ways to overcome this type of pandemic. d. Cities have suffered through worst pandemics than the coronavirus and have survived, indeed flourished, afterwards. In summary, I think the new normal will be mostly like the old normal. 

  1. What are some lessons we have learned during this time of quarantine?

This has been a difficult time for me (Bill)—some days up, some days down. Deb and I moved from 1,900 sq. ft. a year ago to being quarantined in 311 sq. ft. this year. We did not come to the city to practice social distancing. This made for a spiritual battle for me with serious ebbs and flows. I have often asked myself, “How do I join God in this?” I have even been disenfranchised with the city and the people of the city. I have felt that the local leadership given has been at times inadequate, and the herd mentality that followed that leadership disillusioning. Yet, I do pray and respect those in governmental positions charged with my care–that is to say, things are frustrating. This has been a time of waiting on God, a pause if you will, stranger than most things I have experienced. I guess a lesson that has been reinforced is my need to trust Him even when I don’t understand what He is doing. This has been a strange time when we just had to stop, sit down and think or do nothing at all. I like thinking, but after a while…. It has also been reinforced in my life and thought process that while much can and should be accomplished with online tools, personal physical presence is also very important. As one person put it, “Those with whom we fellowship online are like the stars of heaven—they always shine brightly, but we still need a hug once in a while!” One other lessen that was re-enforced in my life is the conviction that God created me to engage people with the gospel, not cloister in a monastery. God made me in the mold of Philip the evangelist, so no MONKeying around?  

Hope this helps,

Bill

Posted on

Boston Riots and Looting

We will clean up our city!

It was late in the evening, Deb was sleeping, and I was finishing up some correspondence when I received a text from a friend asking what was happening in the South End (our Boston neighborhood). I didn’t know what he was talking about until I checked the Boston news and started watching out our studio window. I began to hear sirens and soon the street traffic picked up from the all too familiar coronavirus malaise. Then I noticed groups of young men roaming the streets with bags full of looted goods from local stores. Finally, across the street at the CVS, the front door window was smashed and the store broken into. A lone police officer happened to be close and he singlehandedly apprehended the perpetrator, but it was not long until a posse of forty or more police offices came riding up on their bicycles. Later, around 2:30 or 3:00 AM the street calmed down and I was able to go to bed. 

In the morning, I quickly walked the city and was amazed and disheartened at the damage that had been done to businesses all across Boston. At the same time, I was encouraged by individuals and groups of people who came to the center of Boston with their brooms and other cleaning tools, prepared to clean up the mess made by lawless looters.

I asked one young man if he was with a group, and he said, “No, I’m not with anyone, I’m just a kid from the North Shore who wants to help clean up the mess. A little later, I interacted with a family who came into the city center to help put things back in order. Finally, when walking across the Boston Commons, three men on a garbage truck drew my attention. I asked them if they thought the riots and looting would happen again that night. One representing all three stated, “I don’t know if it will happen again tonight, but if it does, we will be here in the morning to clean up our city!” I spontaneously replied, “I love you guys.” We had a mutually understood moment. Two of those men were black and I am white, but we share some common values as all people do, because all are made in God’s image. The rioting and looting that happened in Boston was not a racial thing, but a lawless thing. Blacks and whites were both involved. Lawless people took cynical advantage of an opportunity to do what is reprehensible. 

I have much to say about the racial tension that is now rampant in the United States, especially the Christian response to it, but that will need to wait for another blog posting. 

But for now, let me say I am so thankful that in the midst of a man-made disaster, I found people in the city, who share my love for the city. All of us are made in the image of God, and sometimes that image shows.