ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network) — Every day since November, Denise*, a DOOR Discover participant, would tell her mom that she wanted to drop out of school. But Denise’s DOOR experience gave her determination to stay in school.
From January 24-26, 2014, the service club from Turner Chapel participated in Atlanta’s DOOR program. The African Methodist Episcopal congregation sits in Marietta, Ga. and has more than 6,000 members. It is the first church of its size to partner with DOOR. Yolanda Davis, the director of Youth Discipleship at Turner Chapel, was drawn to DOOR for its understanding that God is already present in the city. Davis was grateful for the “middle and high school youth to experience urban social issues from a Christian perspective.”
That weekend, while the participants worked with their hands, God worked on their hearts. “Many of our youth walked away wrestling with the number of homeless people living in the city and our faith community is addressing or not addressing the issue,” said Davis.
Turner Chapel also became the first all-African American youth group to take part in Atlanta’s Discover program, which lasts for one week or a weekend. African American youth groups and those of other minority cultures have served in other DOOR cities around the United States, but for Atlanta, this was a first.
The City Director for DOOR Atlanta, Tonya Greene, was always concerned that there wasn’t more diversity among participants who come to serve and grow their faith.
Greene, who is African American, had some ideas why there’s not more diversity. She thinks some groups don’t come out of a fear of the unknown. For others it’s the cost. Other churches feel that efficient mission happens in their local communities.
"We don’t have to go overseas to be mission workers; we can do this right here in our community,” said Greene. Located in the suburbs of Atlanta, DOOR participants from Turner Chapel didn’t need to go far.
Turner Chapel’s youth served at Gateway Center, a community that helps people overcome homelessness. The group also spent time serving at Global Soap. This agency helps to prevent hygiene-related diseases through recycling and distributing hotel soaps. A DOOR service group leader, Becca Cranford, helped the youth group interpret what they saw. She guided the youth group to serve in various places and led discussions about what the Bible says about poverty and the role of Christians to help each other overcome it.
Each evening, DOOR leaders invited participants to reflect about their experiences through worship. Often, this included guest speakers from the local community. One evening, Denise sat with her group from Turner Chapel and listened to Angelica*. Angelica studies hospitality at Le Cordon Bleu University. But her challenges exceed that of most college students. Angelica has no home.
As Denise listened to Angelica share her story, she realized that her own struggles could be a lot worse. Even though Denise didn’t enjoy school, she had a home to return to. The determination in Angelica’s voice gave Denise hope that she could persevere and finish high school.
On Sunday, the youth from Turner Chapel worshiped with Mercy Community Church, in Atlanta. Mercy Community Church is committed to heal a broken world, starting with those in their pews. Most of the people who attend the church struggle with homelessness, addiction, or both. “[The Mercy congregation] loves people where they’re at,” Greene said.
“We all came with our different and sometimes conflicting perspective on things, but we can all agree on one thing: this [DOOR] experience was truly transforming!” stated the youth newsletter for Turner Chapel, when reflecting on their experience.
Both Greene and Davis hope to continue the relationship between DOOR and Turner Chapel. Greene has already visited the 275 youth who attend there. Green was thrilled that the predominately African American congregation chose to serve with DOOR. She hopes that other minority cultures will do the same.
“If God is present [in the city already], then as Christians we should be present, too,” said Davis.
*A pseudonym is used, to protect privacy.
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.
