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AdventistsinCitiesn The population-to-Adventist ratio in the world’s largest cities is 953:1 .n By comparison, the population-to-Adventist ratio outside the world’s largest cities is 423:1 .and lived among us. He put on humanskin, got His hands dirty, rubbedshoulders with us. Bible writers recordhow Jesus physically touched people.In Matthew 8 and 9 alone He touchedfive people, including a leper—therebymaking Himself ritually uncleanaccording to Jewish tradition. 11It’s great to distribute literature, tosupport public evangelism, radio, andInternet outreach. But these only support,not replace, personal, hands-on,mingling ministry. Just as we sendmissionaries to other lands and cultures,so we need missionaries in citiesto make a long-term, on-the-groundcommitment to city ministry.2. Showing sympathy. Speaking ofthe city of Nineveh, God asked rhetorically:“Should I not have concern forthe great city?” (Jonah 4:11). 12 Centurieslater Jesus showed that same concern:“When he saw the crowds, he hadcompassion on them, because theywere harassed and helpless, like sheepwithout a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36).Wayne Krause pastors a church heand a small team planted in an urbanarea an hour or so north of Sydney,Australia. 13 It’s in the middle of acommunity of thousands of youngfamilies, the vast majority of whomhave never stepped foot inside aChristian church.One day a couple from Wayne’schurch was shopping in a local mallwhen a young man approached themand asked if they would take him to amethadone clinic. Without thinkingtwice, they took him there immediately.Afterward they drove him homeand cooked him a hot meal.The young man started attendingchurch each Sabbath, and afterwardmembers took him to the methadoneclinic. At a court hearing severalchurch members surprised the youngman by showing up to support him. Afew weeks later his entire familyshowed up at church.Dressed in heavy-metal regalia,complete with chains and leather, theysat in the front seats of the church. Theboyfriend of one of the sisters was thelead singer in a heavy-metal band andhad every finger on both hands coveredwith silver. Wayne looked out from theplatform and decided to change hissermon and talk about the great controversybetween good and evil.None of the family was Christian,but after the service they came toWayne and asked how they could beLifeHopeCentersEllen White envisioned putting Christ’s method into action inurban areas through wholistic ministry centers that she called“centers of influence.” They would feature a variety of activities suchas lifestyle education, small-group meetings, literature, restaurants,treatment rooms, public meetings, and “reaping” ministries.“It is through the social relations that Christianity comesin contact with the world,” 1 she wrote, and urged Adventiststo “strive to place themselves where they will come in directcontact with those needing help.” 2The Office of Adventist Mission is working to help establisha network of self-sustaining centers of influence in key urbanareas around the world. These will be branded the same, beundergirded by the same theological/spiritual principles, but willvary in shape, size, and sophistication depending on the city.Their look, style, and flavor will be shaped to local situations, butthe philosophy and principles of operation will be consistent.These centers will have a goal of becoming self-sustainingfinancially, and, where possible, will be linked to some revenuegeneratingenterprise such as a medical or dental clinic. They’llutilize local Adventist workers and volunteers, and partner withchurch departments, institutions, and lay organizations.Although these centers are primarily seed-sowing, theyshould connect to small groups and urban church plantinginitiatives. They must be long-term, on-the-ground projects.1Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 496.2Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 76.18 Adventist World | October 2011
Into theCitiesAdventistsinCitiesn In 2010 there was 1 Adventist for every 405 people.on God’s side in the war between goodand evil. After Wayne explained thegospel to them, they all asked to haveJesus as the center of their lives.3. Ministering to needs. We’re toldthat when the apostle Paul arrived inAthens, he spent some time as a tourist.He “walked around and lookedcarefully” at what the Athenians wereworshipping (Acts 17:23). Like Paul,we have to stop, look, and listen.A few years ago Wayne’s churchdiscovered that some students werearriving at the local public school eachday without having had a properbreakfast. Church leaders startedworking with school administrators,and soon this Seventh-day Adventistchurch was serving the needs of thesehungry kids. Later, when WyongGrove Public School decided to hire achaplain, they turned immediately toWayne’s church. Rochelle Madden ofWayne’s Central Coast CommunityChurch is employed as school chaplainfor this public school, fullyfunded by the Australian government.“My role as chaplain is to be a windowto Jesus,” says Madden. “I reallywant the kids, parents, and teachers tosee a Christian as someone who reallycares about them and what’s going onin their lives.” 14Seventh-day Adventists should beat the forefront of making cities betterplaces.In the book of Jeremiah, Godinstructed the Jewish exiles about howthey should function when they got toBabylon: “Also, seek the peace andprosperity [shalom] of the city towhich I have carried you into exile.Pray to the Lord for it, because if itprospers [shalom], you too will prosper[shalom]” (Jer. 29:7).The Hebrew word shalom is a powerfulword with layers of meaning. Itconveys thoughts of peace, well-being,and prosperity. Adventists should beat the forefront of making cities betterplaces to live. Every person in the cityshould have a friend because Adventistsare living in, working among, andpraying for the shalom of the city.Jesus modeled a wholistic ministrythat perfectly balanced the spiritualand physical: “Jesus went through allthe towns and villages, teaching in theirsynagogues, proclaiming the goodnews of the kingdom and healing everydisease and sickness” (Matt. 9:35).To care for someone’s physicalneeds while being blind to opportunitiesto share the good news aboutCountryLivingJesus is to sell ministry short. Just talkingabout spiritual things and neglectingthe physical also ignores Christ’sexample and sabotages our witness.4. Winning confidence. In 2004Andrew Clark was called to Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, to head upAdventist Community Services in theaftermath of Hurricanes Ivan andFrancis. It was his first posting aftergraduating from Columbia UnionCollege (now Washington AdventistUniversity) with a theology degree.Clark and his team helped familiesrebuild their homes and their lives.After the floods had subsided andbusiness was almost back to normal,the local town council met to discusswhether to grant Adventist Commu-Continued on next pageAdventist dreams of living in rural areas often find their grounding in Ellen White’scounsel. But a thorough review of her writings presents a broader view of our duty tothe city.Monte Sahlin, director of research and special projects for the Ohio Conference ofSeventh-day Adventists, found 107 articles in the Ellen G. White periodical index in whichshe addressed the topic of urban ministry. He found 24 articles that gave instructionon moving out of and establishing institutions outside the cities. But 75 percent of thearticles gave specific instruction to move into the cities to reach those who live there. 1For example, she wrote: “There will be laymen who will move into . . . cities . . . thatthey may let the light which God has given them shine forth to others.’” 2 “Why should notfamilies who know the present truth settle in these cities?” 31Monte Sahlin, Mission in Metropolis: The Adventist Movement in an Urban World (Lincoln, Nebr.: Center for Creative Ministry, 2007), p. 16.2Ellen G. White, in Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Sept. 29, 1891.3Ibid.October 2011 | Adventist World 19
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