. . . “equipping them to serve”

Recently we gathered with folks from about a dozen of our partnerships for an afternoon of networking, equipping and fellowship, starting with an amazing Mexican lunch prepared by parents from Susan B Anthony.

The afternoon included breakouts on a variety of topics but the highlight, expressed by many, was the ability to gather in a room with other servant hearted people who have a desire to invest in our city.

WHAT WOULD OUR CITY LOOK LIKE?
Sitting there looking at a room full of people and thinking about the many ways these folks are loving, encouraging, empowering and serving, helped us envision our city with people like these, in EVERY neighborhood.  Imagine what would our city look like then?

THE BIG PICTURE
It’s our VISION . . .  “to see our city holistically engaged, so schools are supported, children excel, families are healthy and whole and our communities thrives.”

Together we are part of the BIG PICTURE, with The Church taking lead.  One of the roles of ENP is to “equip them to serve”.

One of the breakouts gave everyone the opportunity to think about WHY we help.  Andrew Feil facilitated, “When Helping Hurts”, based on a book written by Steve Corbett and Mike Fikkert. The book addresses ways to help those in poverty without hurting them or ourselves. 

VALUE IN RELATIONSHIPS
Sometimes it’s good to stop and look at our world (city) through a different lens. Not through a lens of simply “giving”, but of “being”. It’s often easier to give stuff, check the box and go on with our lives.  We feel like we are helping and feel good about it when we do.  Being present in the lives of people is a lot more work and a bigger commitment for sure, but building and developing relationships creates connection and trust.  That’s where the real impact takes place. 

It is important for us all to serve, but the impact can be greatest when we go beyond addressing immediate needs.  Building relationships and then walking alongside families to equip and empower THEM to become “change agents” in their neighborhoods is a more “sustaining” help.

In our neighborhoods we have watched these relationships grow.  The result: parents encouraged to take on leadership roles in the schools where their children attend. They become aware of their gifts and abilities and gain confidence to serve and lead.  (One example: the amazing lunch at our we enjoyed that was prepared and served by parents!) 

We will continue connecting our Fresno churches to these neighborhoods and offer ongoing equipping opportunities, so together we move closer to the vision of

“a city holistically engaged
so schools are supported,
children excel,
families are healthy and whole,
and our communities thrive”