Redemption in Action

The city of Warren where I live is a depressed area. The local economy is summed up in its unemployment rate which is over 18%. People have lost jobs, benefits, and their homes as the Warren area has consistently been one of the most affordable housing markets in the United States (in this case, not a great bragging point). People struggle with depression in Warren, their is plenty of crime, lots of drugs and Warren has one of the highest divorce rates in the United States. Pretty sad. Extremely depressing.

Periodically, I'll find a story of someone who is trying to bring about some redemption in midst of our hurting and depressed city. I recently read in our local paper the story of a local pastor who has undertaken a neighborhood improvement project that city officials in Warren are hoping will spill into other areas of our city.

This local pastor created a non-profit organization that he is using to purchase vacant houses and repair them to be rented. All of the houses purchased thus far are in close proximity to the church that he pastors and it's in a dilapidated and worn down area in our city. So far, this local pastor has invested around $100,000 to purchase these five different homes with the purpose of renovation and breathing hope back into his neighborhood.

This is redemption in action. God calls us to lose our tendency to complain and instead be people (like this pastor) who bring redemption to an arena of life that is hopeless. God calls us to be innovative, creative and daring in bringing redemption to a family or even a crisis in a city. Whether its purchasing a home for renovation purposes, or taking in a foster child, or cleaning up a local park, God wants us to redeem the very things that have been taken from our communities. God is calling us to be people who bring redemption into their churches, their neighborhoods, their work places and to their cities...just like the pastor in Warren.

Redemption...what will you redeem?