BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF CARE IN AN URBAN CITY

A life of compassion is not sporadic or circumstantial but reflective of an intentional commitment to virtue and care. While this characteristic may appear in the average person, it is expected in the life of believers. One who commits to following the life of Christ is expected to demonstrate a lifestyle of compassion. In a society increasingly driven by self-interest and narcissism there is a heart cry for empathy and compassion. Jesus preached and practiced compassion. When the religious leaders of his day attempted to manipulate his teachings for the sake of condemnation, he responded with care and compassion, never ever forgetting his mission to save the lost. The followers of Jesus are commissioned to follow not only his teachings but to model his heart of compassion. While taking a moral stand as witnesses of truth we also demonstrate his heart of love and forgiveness. Jesus utilized the parable of the Good Samaritan to demonstrate the reality that we are neighbors and regardless of religious, cultural or national differences, we should care for those in need. This simple parable confronts individuals to explore the resources within their power and to share generously with those in need. The Samaritan cared not about the status of the battered victim but simply on the reality of his need. The Church of Jesus Christ is challenged to move beyond the dynamics of dogma and model the better way of the cross. We are mandated to be a prophetic voice in our care for the least, the lost and the left out. Caring for the poor is an inescapable and essential element of the message of the gospel of Jesus.

Matthew 25:31 offers a pictorial illustration of the last judgment with Jesus appearing in his glory and seated upon his throne. Before him was a gathering of the nations and they are separated as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats and the distinction is made not merely on personal piety but based on their response to those who were hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked and in prison. Those who failed to respond were banished. The irony was that both groups asked the same question, “When did we see you?” The implication is clear. If they had discerned the face of Jesus in the dire condition presented, they would have rushed to his rescue. His calm response was that “As you did it not to the least of these, you did it not unto me”. There are well over 2,000 Scriptures which speak to the conditions of the poor and marginalized. More often than not, we earn the right to share the gospel as we respond to the existential needs of humanity. Proverbs 19:17 reads, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.”

For the past twenty-two years of ministry (Ebenezer Urban Ministry Center) in Brooklyn, New York, my husband and I have made CARE a priority in our ministry. Leading a ministry in America’s largest city presents an endless opportunity of serving an urban population with a myriad of needs. As a vibrant metropolis, New York functions as a magnet which draws the elites as well as the desperate migrant arrivals to the hopes and promises of America. With a diverse migrant population that communicates in more than 800 languages, New York brings the world to our doorsteps. While we may not be able to communicate in the varied languages, there are basic human needs which transcends linguistics. Hence the opportunity to respond to the issues of social isolation, poverty, food insecurity, health disparities, mental distress, etc. Some are refugees escaping a hostile homeland in desperate need of a safe and stable existence. In order to expand our benevolence programs, our church established Hope Center Development Corp., (HCDC) a non-profit organization. HCDC provides a weekly food pantry and soup kitchen serving hot meals, computer training, GED classes, Domestic Violence Response, mental health support, Connect to Care which allow us to serve chronically ill, at risk low-income New Yorkers to health and social services. By responding to the needs of this diverse population we earn the right to share the gospel and help them to experience the transformative power of Jesus Christ. With God’s help we were able to cross our one million clients in 2024. I encourage you to look around your marketplace and respond to the opportunities for care. Recently one of our members, Kassidy, left church and walked towards her car. Right outside EUMC she saw a stranger attempting to get water from the sprinkler. She discerned he was thirsty and offered him a bottle of water; she recognized he was hungry and though she only had an open bag of potato chips she offered it, and he accepted. Someone is waiting for you to care. God loves the city; we are called to build the city; God’s call to discipleship compels us to live and serve our neighborhood. May we be present in our neighborhood, to listen, to love, and to demonstrate tangible care for those in need.

We are thankful for the leadership of Dr. Gary Lewis and the Executive committee as we reaffirm our stance as the Church of God; We Go, We Preach, We Disciple, We Pray and most of all, We CARE. Theodore Roosevelt stated, “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care”. May our congregations be known not only for our church activities but for our care for the lost and hurting.

Diana Nelson is co-pastor at Ebenezer Urban Ministry Center in Brooklyn, New York.