The Privilege of Shaping the Shapers

I had the honor of addressing students at the Gordon College Convocation this week just outside Boston. More than a thousand students showed up as I explored the subject "Every City a City of God." I found Gordon students to be earnest, extremely bright and wanting to see examples of people seeking shalom, and experiencing it. Val Buchanan, Director of Gordon's inner-city outreach program in the nearby city of Lynn, and her fun staff team, had invited me to campus to build vision for community engagement and urban mission worldwide. In addition, I met with many students who had sincere questions about urban ministry. I did a podcast, taught a class, and trained their outreach team.





So what was I doing at a Christian College? It was a little surreal. The idyllic setting, New England colors in late fall, almost the entire student body gathered. Not my normal venue. I felt honored to be asked, for the chance to shape the future shapers of evangelicalism. These students will graduate to ministry and the marketplace; the vision they carry with them will determine the direction, focus and character of key sectors of the church's mission for a generation. I wanted to encourage the Gordon staff who are seeking to help students and staff leverage their privilege for the sake of the last, the least and the lost. It was a privilege, and I am grateful for the warm reception and gracious response.



While in the Boston Area I dropped in on Mako and Ming Nagasawa, former directors of the Boston Urban Project, who live in the Dorchester Community, the second highest crime neighborhood in Boston. We feasted on Jamaican food and toured the neighborhood park that Ming helped to plan and fund. I heard about the church that meets in their home, one that welcomes neighbors, including those struggling all the vices and vulnerabilities surrounding poverty. We talked about future prospects for urban projects. And I introduced them Val Buchanan at Gordon College.


God, thank you for the gifted, faithful people you've allowed me to meet, and the chance to serve, connect and shape as you lead.