I want to tell you about a great mission field. The area was once a great area. It had wealth and prestige. It was well respected among the nations. For many years now the area has lost that standing. It is considered by many to be one of the most dangerous areas in the world. In its boundaries are many buildings that have been left vacant for decades. The city streets show the signs of the fleeing population. Hundreds of vacant and decaying buildings are mixed with the hundreds of vacant lots in the area. Trash covers the streets as an indicator of the desperate state of the remaining population. The residents have become so hopeless from generations of oppression that they fail to try to care for the area.
In this area the gangs of well armed men patrol with a declaration of ownership over the area. They shoot their opposition in broad daylight in front of crowds of people and yet no one comes forward to the authorities for fear of retaliation. They finance their reign of terror through drug sales, just as in many other parts of the world. The authorities appear helpless to stop these terrorists from ruling over the area.
The mission field here is unique as Christians who laid a foundation of the Christian faith at its core once colonized it. Yet here so many years later we find even the terrorist have Jesus stickers on their vehicles. The Doctrine of the Christian faith is far from the practice of those who proclaim it in this area. It has been replaced by a culture that in many cases values things that are opposed to the teachings of Christ. Ministering in this area requires us to look past the profession of faith that so many hold, and to discern the beliefs that truly rules the lives of the residents.
Poverty is rampant in the area. Over 50% of the residents live below the poverty line established for the area. There are homeless people all around that squat in the vacant houses. They live without electricity and running water. They scour the area for anything they can turn into food or alcohol. The children in the area run the streets without supervision. This leads many to be recruited by the local terrorists with promises of money, sex, and drugs.
The government over the area pours thousands of dollars into the area year after year hoping to make a positive change. Each year they make some headway and each year they lose some ground. There is a great lack of concern for the area from anyone living outside the area.
A few faithful men and women have dedicated their lives to changing the state of this area. They are missionaries with a vision for generational change. They moved to this area of North St. Louis to invest their lives into the area. They know what they are up against and they know it will not be easy or quick. If you want to experience the mission field without leaving America we invite you to visit us. We can use all the help we can get.
