God calls His Church (literally meaning "called out ones") to join His mission of reaching more people. Where are more people? In cities. That's why the early Christian movement multiplied by planting new churches in the hearts of cities.
I love the words of George McLeod:
"I simply say, the cross must be raised again at the center of the marketplace as well as on the steeple of the church. I am claiming that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves;
on the town garbage heap,
on a crossroads so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. At the kind of place where cynics talk smut, and thieves curse, and soldiers gamble, because that is where He died and that is what He died about and that is where churchmen ought to be and what churchmen should be about."
This is what excites me about Catalyst - we are literally seeking to impact the 281,500 people living within a 10-mile radius of downtown Kent who do not know Christ. That's our mission field. We are missionaries. And we've set up shop in the marketplace.
People sometimes ask, "How much money does Catalyst give to missions?" My reply: Every dollar. We are extremely passionate about expanding the Kingdom's reach in the most unchurched county in all of Ohio.
Part of expanding our vision to reach more families is planting roots across from The Kent Stage. 118 East Main Street is our new home for Catalyst Central. Finally we'll have some permanent children's space, a place to gather mid-week, and a tangible presence in downtown Kent. The good news is we've carefully stored an abundance of new children's equipment from our launch last fall - we're ready to move in and roll once the contractor gives us the ok!
As a 7-month-old church plant, there are equipment/furniture needs outside our normal operating budget. That's why I'm thankful for modern technology - with the click of a mouse, anyone wanting to invest in our vision can check out our registry at Target.com's Club Wedd and gift the ministries of Catalyst. Since we're a non-profit, every donation is tax-deductible. Talk about an easy way to help further the mission!
Is this a step of faith? You bet. But I love Erwin McManus' words on advancing into the unknown:
"When you move forward on what you know, things become clearer.
When you refuse to act on what you know, all that you do not know paralyzes you."
The target is downtown Kent. The mission is making Jesus famous. I can't wait to see how God brings this process to completion this summer through the faith-filled efforts of His people...
