Colors of Chicago

A Newsletter of Youth With A Mission Chicago Spring 2009

Reaching the City to Reach the World
Celebrating 17 years of ministry to the nations in Chicago!

incarnation in albany park

In August 2007, I left home in the United States to
move to the Middle East to study Arabic. Within
a few short weeks God had directed me into a
romantic relationship with an amazing man, Jes-
se. Jesse was a student at Moody Bible Institute
studying in the Middle East for the year. After four
months of dating we were engaged and planning
a wedding from the Middle East. We were married
last June. In August we moved to Chicago and I
came on staff with YWAM Chicago.
Moody Bible Institute requires its students to do a
weekly Practical Christian Ministry (PCM) in order
that they not only learn about the bible, theology,
education etc. but they learn by doing. Because
I was on staff with YWAM we worked it out with the
director for Jesse to do his PCM with YWAM.
One of the main threads of YWAM Chicago is to
connect the local Chicagoland Church with the
many ethnic communities and neighborhoods.
Having lived in the Middle East and having a heart
for Arab Muslims, Brad recommended for Jesse to Albany Park is in the zip code area of 60625 which is the

do his PCM in Albany Park. Jesse began doing third most ethnically diverse zip code in the United States.

ministry by praying for God’s heart for the people and open doors
into relationships in the community. After a number of months Jes-
se was confronted with a frustration. A once a week trip to Albany
Park for a few hours wasn’t sufficient to truly minister there. Some-
one needed to live there and work there among them in order to
really understand, love and minister to their real needs. A short
time later God prompted us to move to Albany Park for Jesse’s last
year at Moody.
As Jesse finishes up his Spring semester in May we will be transi-
tioning to our new place in Albany Park. As followers of Jesus, we
would be completely lost without the incarnation of God. By be-
coming a man, living with man, experiencing human life first hand
Jesus Christ communicated and became the way to the Father,
the only way to the Father. Incarnational ministry sends a power-
ful message. It says, “I’m right here…WITH you.” It’s our heart to
live out this same love in intentional Christian community in Albany
Park.
- Emily Bond (YWAM Chicago Staff)

YWAM Chicago
PO Box 268408
Chicago, IL 60626
ywamchicago@yahoo.com
www.ywamchicago.org
Director: Brad Stanley
Youth With A Mission
Statement of Purpose
YWAM is an international
movement of Christians
from many denomina-
tions dedicated to pre-
senting Jesus Christ per-
sonally to this generation,
to mobilizing as many
people as possible to
help in this task, and to
the training and equip-
ping of believers for their
part in fulfilling the Great
Commission. As citizens
of God’s Kingdom we are
called to love, worship
and obey our Lord, to love
and serve His body, the
church, and to present
the Whole Gospel for the
whole person through-
out the whole world.
YWAM Chicago
Statement of Purpose
YWAM Chicago is com-
mitted to citywide ministry,
to presenting the gospel
to the immigrant and eth-
nic populations of our city
and training and releasing
them into missions, while
meeting social needs of
the city through long-term
community development
and short-term outreaches.
City Scape
Implications of Urbanization and an Emerging Urban Worldview
by Brad Stanley, Director of YWAM Chicago
In 1950, the only 29% of the world was living in cities. Today over 50% of the world lives in cities, creating
the first urban generation in history. At the current rate, the world will be 90% Urban by the end of the
century. North America has lead the world in urbanization over the last 50 years, from 64% in 1950 to
an estimated 82% of its population living in cities today. As significant as this is, it is dwarfed by the rate
of urbanization taking place today in countries like China, India, and throughout the continent of Africa.
The global rate of urbanization is 2 times that of global population growth, while in Asia it is occurring at
3 times the rate of its annual population growth. The human story has taken a remarkable shift from a
rural way of life to urban realities and is continuing at a phenomenal rate.
Over the last 17 years of talking to people on the streets of Chicago, I have observed some common
trends of spiritual struggle as well as an increasing loss of faith in the institution of the Church. I believe
it would be a mistake to conclude that this urban connected generation lacks spirituality or the desire
to commit to God. In actuality, I have experienced an increasing spiritual hunger and passion among
believers and non-believers alike. I would like to suggest that an urban worldview has emerged that is
influencing how this generation views God and processes truth in general.
The human story is broken. This urban-connected generation is personally aware of brokenness. In-
justice, gross poverty, violence, and family breakdown are normal, daily realities. The deep cry has
become, “Where is God?” They are overwhelmed not just with the suffering in their own lives but the
inability to ignore the realities of global pain and suffering. The suffering debate is no longer why evil ex-
ists, but where is God, and what does He want to do in response to evil. This generation is looking to the
Church to not merely teach a theology of survival but a message of redemption. Can the broken human
story be fixed? Can we be equipped by God to make real change? They want to know if God just left us
or does He fight for us. The message of Rom 8:37-39 is an important message for our times. Suffering
and evil will not separate us from God’s commitment to our highest good and does not have to derail His
purpose for our lives. Truth is now made relevant to the degree it speaks adequately and displays action
steps toward human suffering.
Diversity with unity and purpose is not only a value but a necessity. The urban world is experiencing
diversity never before seen in the human story. In a 5 mile radius in Chicago, there are over 150 nation-
alities. 110 languages are spoken natively by the students of the public schools. The urbanization of the
developing world is bringing hundreds of people groups and dialects out of rural isolation into concentrat-
ed urban neighborhoods. This generation is hungry for an example of diverse community experiencing
true unity and synergistic purpose. Truth is being validated to the degree that it can exist in the context of
diverse inter-relating community. While 82% of North America is living in diverse urban realities, 92.5%
of churches in North America are “Mono-Racial”. Our message of truth is being tested by how well it is
connected to and survives diversity. Moving from simply valuing diversity to actually creating environ-
ments where it can exist with unity and synergistic purpose is what will attract this generation.
To this generation, truth is transferred and defined not through ideology or teaching but in and through
people’s lives. The global urban culture is saturated with philosophy, trends, and spiritual options and
this generation is attracted by what they perceive is working. Truth must now be seen, tasted, touched,
and not merely heard. We need to create an incarnational and physical context to our teaching and dis-
cipleship. Its not that our message is no longer valid, but rather it is being validated by how well we are
living it out in the context the majority of the world exists in today. If we continue to present our message
and discipleship only from a rural, suburban, or homogeneous context, it will increasingly be irrelevant
to a world no longer relating to that reality. This generation no longer wants to experience church from
safe, isolated structures, but rather in corporate offices, high-rise apartment buildings, slums and street
corners. They are redefining church to not merely being a building, but that which exists through commu-
nity, no matter where community takes place. We must take our worship and processes of discipleship
public in order to remain relevant. (continued on page 4)
 Chicago News
...with contributing author BRAD STANLEY
on para-church ministries in the community: “Aggressive Evangelism”
Islam. Gentrification. AIDS. Multiculturalism. Where do we face these realities?
A few years ago, it was in the city. But today, many city dwellers are moving to
the suburbs, either by choice or because of circumstances beyond their control.
And this shift is changing both the urban and suburban landscape. With this
shift in mind, editors John Fuder and Noel Castellanos have gathered together
a team of experts to help you minister effectively in both the urban and subur-
ban context. Divided into four sections (Critical Issues, Church-Planting Models,
Ministering to Suburban Needs, and Para-Church Ministries), A Heart for the
Community is a rich resource designed to help you do ministry today.

arts with a mission summer camp

july 6 - 11, 2009

9am to 5pm daily

age 6 to 18
(kindergarten a prerequisite)

Camp fee $130

Registration fee (per family) * New Venue
$15 ($25 after June 18th) First Evangelical Free Church
5255 N. Ashland Ave.,
ywamchicago@yahoo.com or 773-807-0972 Chicago, IL 60640

Korean American Youth Day Camp

SAVE THE DATE!!!
july 27-31, 2009 (mon-friday)
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness! (Mt 6:33) 2009
Age: Youth and interested elementary kids YWAM CHICAGO
$20 registration fee, $80 camp fee MINISTRY
1903 E. Euclid. Arlignton Hts. IL 60004 (first UMC) BANQUET
Rev. Changhun Han at 847-680-1581 or grasswaters@gmail.com
SATURDAY
October 2, 2009 to $3,400 (tuition, food, housing & outreach) OCTOBER 24, 2009
March 12, 2010
MAYFAIR
COMMUNITY
CHURCH

DINNER at 6 PM
school of urban frontiers
 Chicago Ministries
Belmont Community/Boystown Update by Ruth Troyer
After building relationships with people for 4 years, I finally got to move to the Belmont neighborhood in April of 2008 when John
(one of my first friends in the neighborhood) and Amanda Stockman moved back to Chicago. The 3 of us started a community house
in a small apartment and by August we had outgrown it, and moved into a nice big house with a backyard! Currently there are 6 of
us living together in intentional community, finding creative ways to bless each other and our neighborhood. We have people from
the neighborhood hanging out at our house all the time and I love it! A typical evening this time of year finds a few people chatting
in the kitchen and a few more around the fire pit in the backyard. Besides building relationships in the house, some of us are actively
involved in community outreach. I could list a lot of things but instead I will recount what happened a few nights ago.
I was walking the streets looking for Paul [one of the street kids, I have known for a long time] and had looked everywhere and had
pretty much given up on finding him when I saw him huddled at a table in the back of a coffee shop. I could see that the usual smile
was gone. He gave me a big hug and hung on tight for a little bit, but he wasn’t ready to talk. A new kid was at the table as well, and
he said, “Can I please have hug? I love hugs.” So I introduced myself and gave him a hug. He immediately trusted me because of my
relationship with the other kids and asked for two more hugs before I left. Michael was sitting there as well. He used to come to the
drop in center all the time. He used to sit at the organ at the drop in and even though it was out of tune, he played beautifully. He was
excited because he just recently was hired by a church to play the organ at the Sunday service and he is getting paid enough to afford
an apartment! Paul’s story eventually came out; He had just been solicited/offered $1000 by someone that had befriended him under
false pretenses. He turned it down but was distraught and hurt. Even though prostitution is not new for him, it hurt him to be solicited
by someone he thought was a friend. These kids are crying out for love. They soak up any love that comes their way. Even though he
met me for the first time that night, Jeremy was desperate for human touch that came from pure intent and unconditional love. Pray
for me as I embrace these ones with the love of Jesus.
Timing is everything when it comes to helping kids get off the streets. Ideally, finances need to be available to cover entry fees and/or
transportation to get them into a drug rehabilitation center or transitional program as soon as they express a desire to do so. If it takes
too long to arrange this their survival mode kicks in or others quickly convince them to stick around. If you are interested in donat-
ing towards this need, please email Ruth at ywamchicago@yahoo.com. Donations can be sent to YWAM (include a separate note,
designating it to the Hope Fund).
In other household news… John is getting ready for our water outreach to the Pride Parade. In 2008 we (+50 volunteers) gave away
2500 bottles of ice-cold water to people at the Pride Parade. We got into some really great conversations with some of the 600,000
people at the parade. It is the largest Pride parade in the U.S. We are giving out 10,000 bottles of water this year and need about 200
volunteers. So far enough money has been donated to buy 2000 bottles of water. The morning after the parade, we flood the neighbor-
hoods with brooms and trash bags to clean up the mess that was left behind. Local shop owners and families are grateful but baffled
as to why we would be willing to help clean up. To donate or find out how you can help, email John at John.Stockman@gmail.com

Implications of Urbanization and an Emerging Urban Worldview (continued from page 2)

Value is placed not on structure but movement and that which effects change. The urban world is intense and complex. Spirituality is no longer
seen as a personal thing. Every social issue is seen as a spiritual issue. This urban generation is looking for a spirituality that produces change in
the world around it. The question is, “Are we going anywhere?” Churches and ministries are no longer validated by how well established or how big
they are. They are hungering for real movement that inspires, and are ready to sacrifice their lives for true causes. Institutions simply don’t impress
them. They want to join something that looks grass-roots, organic, and very relationally connected to humanity. Our very existence as a church or
ministry is being validated by how much change we are creating in the world and how personally connected we are toward the world we seek to
impact. Again, this generation wants to discover spirituality through action and integration into the world, rather than through removal from it. They
must feel that we are so radically going somewhere that they will miss out if they do not jump on board.
The conclusion, as we move into the 21st century, is that the Church will be increasingly validated by its level of urban-connectedness. Our voice
will only be heard and respected to the degree we are identifying with and touching the heart cry of an urban generation. As we do this, the Church,
and those ministries seeking to equip and mobilize the Church, will be both validated and heard and attract an urban generation that has the heart,
hunger, and ability to change the world.
(For a larger discussion on this topic go to our website at www.ywamchicago.org)
Season of Ministry
teaching
english as a
second
language
(tesol)

praying in gate-
way neighbor-
hoods and leaving
messages on the
sidewalks with
chalk

showing kindness
to our neighbors by
clearing sidewalks
serving in a and parking spots
soup kitchen of snow and ice.
to help the
homeless
work
projects

learning
about
urban ministry
and urban
world view
 The story of mankind’s relationship
with God told to us from the Bible,
begins in a garden. Scripture also
points us forward to the “City of
God”, the new heavenly city of Je-
rusalem. With 90% of the world pro-
jected to live in cities by the end of
the century it seems we are being
prepared for that reality.
When Chicago incorporated in
1837, it chose the motto “Urbs

A City In A Garden in Horto”, a Latin phrase which

translates into English as “City in a
Garden”. Today the Chicago Park District consists of 552 parks with over 7,300 acres (30 km²) of municipal
parkland as well as 33 sand beaches along Lake Michigan, nine museums, two world-class conservatories,
16 historic lagoons and 10 bird and wildlife gardens. The city has planted or negotiated the construction of
over 2 million square feet of rooftop gardens, more than all other U.S. cities combined.
There may be a redemptive and prophetic purpose for Chicago’s motto, “City in a Garden”. The modern
urban generation that exists today wants to live in cities, yet carries a deep desire to reclaim and restore
God’s intent for land. There is a movement throughout Chicago as well as other cities to create rooftop
and neighborhood greenery and vegetable gardens. Perhaps this generation can display the marriage of
diverse inter-relating communities with the Godly stewarding of land and its ability to bless the nations. For
some a “City in a Garden” is an oxymoron, we would like to suggest it is rather the realization of what God’s
original dream for mankind has always been.

YWAM Chicago Non Profit Org

1721 W. Wallen US postage
Chicago, IL 60626 PAID
Chicago, IL
Permit No. 2010

Youth With A Mission is an international movement of Christians from many denominations dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. Also known as YWAM (pronounced “WYE-
wam”), our calling is to know God and to make Him known. Back when we began in 1960, our main focus was to get youth into short-term mission work and to give them opportuni-
ties to reach out in Jesus’ name. Today, we still focus on youth, and we also involve people of almost every age (even many people who choose to spend their “retirement” in active
service). Our many ministries fit into three main categories: evangelism, training and mercy ministry. We are currently operating in more than 1000 locations in over 149 countries, with a
staff of nearly 16,000.