Encounter God In The City by Dr. Randy White
Encounter God in the City was written by Dr. Randy White. I read it re-entering my city after 6 years in the East. I gained equilibrium hunting for a new job, reconnected with my city and network of friends, some going back 40 years with the help of this book.
In the Epilogue (p.184, 185) White suggests we “grow something new” and illustrates that things, like wildflowers, can grow in the cracks of a city sidewalk. White encourages from scripture a hopeful compassionate approach (Isaiah 58:10-11) to living in the city and giving possibilities looking forward. I decided to cross the line into the future of my city and spend no more time nursing the pain of the past.
Dr. White’s journal of moving to the Lowell District gave me courage to see what can be accomplished by a leader willing to walk naked into the land of uncertainty, as it is said. White’s book, like a good play, exposes real life scenes, fleshed out in Lowell, by White, his wife and growing faith community. While taking inspiration from the White’s mission, I realized that it was not my calling, as yet, to relocate again, but to prepare for what was next when God opened a subsequent season, while living fully present in my city to serve!
Through 40 years of life on mission God has called me, by invitation, to people and places. 103 Copper Street was our first attempt at a youth church, Blue Diamond Nevada was our country pastorate of 17 years, Neighborhood Church was 12 years of intense inner city ministry, my Mid-Atlantic District Directorship was 6 fruitful years of church planting and church health work, and now, working with the Clark County School District while finishing my Masters Degree. These places of service were by invitation. White’s investment, now 25 years rich, brought transformation to Fresno’s Lowell District. Through Encountering God In The City, I am learning to engage my city and to help lead others into a better personal and neighborhood transformational process. As White says (back cover) “seek the welfare of the city and both you and the city will be transformed.”
