We just (I guess it was a week ago now) returned from a spring break outreach/service trip to Chicago with some of the folks from the Rock. It was a short time, but it was really great in a number of different ways.

I think this is about the sixth spring break outreach/service trip that I’ve been on with the Rock, but this was definitely distinctive, mainly in the fact that we stayed with the Jesus People just north of downtown. After calling 20 churches (no exaggeration) close to downtown in hopes of crashing on their floors to eliminate commuting from the suburbs and not getting anything close to a yes, the Jesus People called us back and said they’d love to have us, and not only let us stay with them, but they would cook for us! A friend from a different campus ministry had stayed with them several years before and I remembered that it was a very positive experience for them and so I, along with the other leaders going on the trip, were really excited about the prospect.

If you’re not familiar with the Jesus People, you can check out the awesome Web site [at least in my humble opinion] but I’ll give you a brief overview. Their group started in the early 70’s out of the “Jesus Movement”…people whose lives were changed by Christ and who wanted to really follow what the Bible was saying. They found they could best carry out Christ’s commands by living communally and pooling their resources to free up more people for full-time ministry and service. This is still what they are doing 30-some years later…400 people living in what used to be a hotel just north of downtown Chicago. Funded mainly by several businesses [roofing supply company, record company, printing company] owned and run by themselves, they are able to support themselves and several significant ministries including a 350-bed shelter, an after-school program, a transition program for people that have been homeless, and the Cornerstone music festival. At first when I read about that on the Web site, I was like, “Ok, sure, that’s cool.” However, after Scott, our host, shared with us more in depth on Sunday, I realized how amazing it was that they were able to feed/clothe/supply shelter and basic needs for 400 people AND do all that other amazing stuff! Wow!

I think it especially struck a chord with me just because I tend to struggle with “white-picket-fence-itis”…sometimes I just want to live the “normal” American life and take the easy lane. The lifestyle of the people we met this weekend made me think of this:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6

Sometimes (well, a lot of the time), I feel like I am the furthest thing from content…I have everything I need and much, much more, but sometimes I sure don’t act like it!

Since we were only there for less than 48 hours, I didn’t have a lot of time to personally build a lot of relationships with the people there, but while we were coordinating the weekend, I got to know Scott I. as we discussed housing/food/etc. Before we even left Ames, I mentioned to Matt and the other leaders how impressed I was with his flexibility with us! Not just flexibility, but bending over backwards to serve us. Again, knowing my tendencies, I was challenged by this example. In the same situation I would have responded, “What do you mean, you don’t have an exact head count? You want us to do what else for you?” I definitely saw an honest heart to serve and some real “look[ing] not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2: 4)

Our main focus of the time in Chicago was to feel out the spiritual climate of college campuses in the area in preparation for a church plant and also to provide opportunities for people to be bold in sharing their faith with others. I’m quite confident that this was God’s plan for us and I’m quite confident that we were able to make steps towards those goals, but the more I think about it, the more I think that maybe God wanted us to be challenged by the Jesus People and their example. I know that God doesn’t call everyone to live communally, but I do know that He does call everyone to live and serve from a heart that really knows Him and is devoted to Him. The more I think about it, the more I realize that what was at the core of what hit me the most was that these people weren’t serving or living this way because it’s what they thought they should do, or ought to do, but they serve and live this way because they really know Jesus! Of course, in these generalizations, don’t get me wrong…I definitely see this in the hearts of people within the Rock…I think God just chose to use the Jesus People’s example to really bring this to my attention and remind me of it…once again… ;)

So, thanks, God, for waking me up once again… 

Thoughts from anyone else? (I would especially love it of those of you who stayed through Tuesday would blog about your experiences and also those who went to Louisiana and Wisconsin.)