Last Minute RSVPs?

Are there any last minute RSVPs for our Advancement Dinner next Thursday?  Call us at 562-804-2189 or email us at christinap@kingdomcauses.org.  We want to see you on Thursday!

A new way to love our neighbors!

Many of our homeless neighbors have plenty of money... That's right, some of our homeless neighbors receive anywhere from $500-1200 per month, yet they remain on the streets because they are unsupported in their use of that money. Their addictions and "friends" demand so much, the money is gone with in one or two weeks.

Recently Kingdom Causes Bellflower started a new Representative Payee Program that will help the church of the city to love these neighbors in a new way. Aura Gonzalez, a long-time volunteer, and member of Calvary Chapel Downey, has come on board to help get this program started that will help manage their money and ensure they are housed, fed and safe for the entire month and their money wont get wasted.

This program has been generously funded and supported by Bridge Builders, a faith based representative payee program that has been operating in Bakersfield for 11 years. They are providing the technical support, equipment and staffing that will help make this a great success and help the church to love some of our most vulnerable neighbors.

Update on Kelty

Kelty's "After" Picture

A few weeks ago we had a visit from our old friend Kelty. Last summer we helped him get into a rehab in San Pedro. (You can read that blog article by clicking here.) When he walked in the doors of our office, I almost didn't recognize him.  He looks great!  He's sober and has decided to move back home with his wife and kids.  We're so proud of Kelty and pray that God continues to bring restoration and sobriety to his life. 

Kelty's "Before" Picture

A Neighborhood Church

I was encouraged last week by Bethel Reformed Church's willingness to open their property for their neighbors to use. Bellflower parks do not have space for our soccer teams to practice. In the past our neighborhood teams had been practicing on any open green space within the parks, but they didn't have a permit to practice and would frequently get kicked off the fields. When we looked into getting permits we found out that even if they did have a one, the official space used for soccer practice was all taken up by existing sports leagues... mainly baseball. We were all a little frustrated with the situation. We need more parks in Bellflower!

On to the good part...

Nichole, the children's pastor at Bethel, offered the field next to their sanctuary for the boys to practice on. Last Wednesday was their first day. I showed up half way through to see how things were going. When I pulled on to their campus I was struck by the beauty of a church property buzzing with life. Their new basketball courts in the parking lot were filled with neighbors from Ramona and their field was filled with neighbors from Eucalyptus. They are shouting the love of God just by offering their resources to their neighbors. What a testimony!

If your church property is empty more than it is full, I encourage you to think of ways that your surrounding neighborhood can benefit from your space. We need to move past the fear of lawsuits and open our doors and resources to become a community-friendly church. Be creative! Ask the neighbors what they want. Our church buildings should BLESS the neighborhood that they are in. Can you imagine if all 52 churches in Bellflower took an active interest in their neighbors. Beautiful!