On a cool but beautiful fall day, several colleagues and I gathered with Mark, one of our missionaries, in a small house in a struggling neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan. This neighborhood has a history of being overlooked, and signs of decay are all around. Every third property is a vacant lot, and many of the remaining houses are in poor condition.

For all of the external signs of stress, though, the atmosphere inside this small home overflowed with joy and gratitude. Mark introduced us to some of his neighborhood friends who were now involved in the ministry work there. These friends told us how Mark had bought this house to serve as a ministry center in the neighborhood—but that it took seven years before the neighbors actually trusted that this mission effort was genuine. Now the ministry runs a number of support centers in the community. One offers a ministry for men living on the streets, providing showers, food, and other basic needs. Another provides similar services for women. The centers also offer Bible studies and practical support ministries.

What a beautiful picture of holistic mission, when Jesus moves into a neighborhood and the values of his kingdom begin to transform hearts, lives, and communities. May our lives and churches reflect the same missional heart.