Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Hurricane Sandy Update!


Thank you for praying as our East Coast cities rode out Hurricane Sandy! We covet your continued prayers as our staff begin the process of getting "back to normal".

CSM's President, Dan Reeve, has shared some specific ways you can be lifting our cities up:
  1. Many "first responders" in all of the coastal cities are still in harms way with floods, falling trees, and electrical issues. Pray for their safety as well as everyone living in those dangerous places. 
  2. I already know several of our ministry partners who received damage from wind and water so pray for the resources needed to get back to business.
  3. Staff will have their work cut out for them touching base with ministry partners in the next few days, so please pray for them as they discern how we can help.
  4. Without public transportation and power many, including CSM family members, will have a tough time of it today, so pray for them as they have extra stress.
 Thank you for partnering with us in prayer!

Monday, October 22, 2012

Can we tawk about…What I Did This Summer?

The following is an update from CSM's President, Dan Reeve. Please visit our website to join his prayer partner team or fundraising team!

The time has once again come for my annual “what I did this summer” wrap-up. By far, it was the best summer I’ve had in serving at CSM.

At the beginning of the summer, Chris Zwakenberg, a youth pastor from Delaware, joined our Washington DC staff as the City Director. Chris had led more than a six trips with CSM and felt led by God to serve with us full-time. His leadership, heart for God, concern for people and passion for missions kept the city ministry moving forward during a time of transition. 

While visiting our cities, I met some amazing leaders. In Philadelphia, I met a senior pastor of a large church in New England who cared enough about missions and his youth, that he joined his group in their mission trip. Another youth leader in Philadelphia was courageous enough to take a bunch of urban kids who had never left their city to go be missionaries to another inner-city where God showed them how much He can use them. 

In Los Angeles, I accompanied one of our groups to a church on Skid Row, where they helped host a karaoke night for the homeless. The church pastor and his wife host this every Wednesday night so that they can build relationships with those on the street, give the homeless an opportunity for some good entertainment and help many feel like they have some talents that others can appreciate. There really is some great talent on Skid Row.

In Boston, I spent some time with partners who couldn’t wait to tell me how much of a difference our groups were making in “staffing” their children’s ministry. 

In Chicago, I spoke to the groups at our weekly worship night and challenged them to not just have a mind for missions but also a heart to care for a lifetime. 

In Nashville, a Junior High student told me how she led someone to Christ for the first time. 

In Oakland, I had the privilege of preaching to the congregation of our housing church and encouraged them about vision that looks to the future. 

In New York, I spent some time with our new staff member, Lauren, who grew up in my church. I wish you could watch Lauren as she interacts with group leaders, talks to children, leads summer interns and teaches youth – she’s amazing!

Over and over again this summer, I was reminded of the triple “whammy” of CSM. Students are trained to minister to the often forgotten, churches and ministries are resourced to do what God has called them to do and the children, families and people of the city are met with the love, grace and the good news of Christ so that He is glorified.

Those who support me and our team in prayer and financial backing brought this summer to you. Thanks so very much!

- Dan Reeve, CSM President


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Thursday, October 18, 2012

Prayertober from CSM Philly

If you're not already a fan of CSM Philadelphia on Facebook, we highly suggest you head on over and "like" them. Throughout the month of October, they will be posting specific ways we can be lifting up the city of Philly and it's people in prayer. Here's the latest update from them...

We interrupt our normal Mon/Wed/Fri Prayertober special for a series of articles published today on our sister city across the river, Camden. Here are som
e of the facts:


  • 77,344 - Population in 2010
  • 124,555 - Population in 1950
  • 42.5 - Percentage of people living beneath the poverty line
  • $21,191 - Median income for families in Camden
  • 1 - Camden's rank among U.S. cities for lowest median income
  • 9,523 - Total "eds and meds" jobs in the city, 2011
  • 952 - Total "eds and meds" jobs held by city residents, 2011
  • 3 - Number of mayors jailed for corruption since 1981
An article on violence in Camden...

Dear Father,
We pray for Camden, a city that has experienced sharp decline in the past fifty years. We ask that you protect the residents and provide better opportunities for the children and families there. We know that in you, there is hope, and we hold to that hope for the people of Camden. May your presence be strong there.
Amen

Facts Source

Learn how YOU can serve with CSM in Philadelphia!