Pat, Pastor of That Neighborhood Church , is my hero.
Pat is the most talented Children’s pastor I have ever met, He is a gifted communicator and a creative artist, but he chooses to serve in a very small congregation located in the poorest zip code in our state. …
I asked him why
It began with a small whisper in 2004 that became a louder whisper on his way home from Bangkok in 2010 …
"At first I tried to push away the "whispers" but every time I would push them away, they returned with more horse power....What it meant I wasn't sure, but I knew I needed to follow God's lead. For me it was really a Nehemiah moment. My heart broke for people living in North Toledo who are being held hostage in generational poverty, drugs and prostitution..."
Watching Pat with the people he serves is both humbling and inspiring. He has a favorite saying
prove it
and prove it he does, every day.
From eating Lunch with the kids who are in the home school co-op that his wife runs.
to encouraging his volunteers
to being a real friend….
Pat sharing a special moment with one of the women from the neighborhood. This is a picture of his new grandchild. Pat treats everyone he meets as a friend, as a person of value. That may not seem like a lot but in the neighborhood that he lives in many people have NEVER been treated as if they mattered.
“My job is to let them know God loves them and created them on purpose, for a purpose and with a purpose.”
So what is his secret? what makes him so special? Is He a super Christian?
NO!!
he is just like you and me, he had many doubts and fears….
1. How am I going to get paid? 4. How am I going to move my family to the hood? 5. My wife will never want to move into the hood. 9. No one’s going to want to leave suburbia and help me plant a church in the hood. 10. How I’m I going to know You are really calling me?
BUT GOD>>>>
“God knows we are going to have a ”but God” moment. It’s only when we decide to take the next steps that we will experience God’s blessing, provision and protection.”
"You can’t have it both ways. You can’t expect to experience God in a real way unless you are willing to step through the door called fear and trust God to carry you. To believe He has your back.
I asked Pat how we as a community could come along side of him to help…
he had LOTS of ideas!
First is on Saturday nights during our service. Many of our volunteers come from outside the neighborhood. Building relationships is key.
Helping with the children and youth during the serviced is a huge piece to the puzzle. We also need folks who could come a lead us in worship. We have a group from ACT that comes once a month, but would love more to get involved.
Second is helping with our little school. My wife is teaching 5 students through a home school coop environment. We need people who can come and help during the day, provide lunches etc...
Third is helping with renovations on the Youth Developement Center, Plank Factory and installing fencing and landscaping around the new parking lot. Forth is we need someone who can demolish a small house behind our Youth Development center. We need to flatten it before they can finish the parking lot in the spring.
Fifth is mentoring the young men in our neighborhood. Many don't have fathers at home. It only takes a little time to make a difference that will last forever.
And I will add that they can always use help at sports camp in the summer! Get your kids involved, you will never regret it! Both of my oldest have gone into teaching, their experience here had a HUGE impact on their life direction.
If your interested in any of these you can call the church office at 419-244-8672 or go to our website at www.lovegodlovepeopleproveit.com and fill out our contact us page.
