Living the Mission: Why Moving Into the Community is the Ultimate Act of Solidarity

After establishing trust through initial outreach, the next bold step was to move into the community itself. Imagine leaving the comfort of suburbia to live in an old church building in one of the city’s toughest neighborhoods. The building had broken stained glass windows, dark bathrooms nicknamed 'Wicked Bathrooms,' and the constant sounds of sirens and shouting outside.

Yet, this proximity was transformative. Living among those served meant sharing daily realities—witnessing drug use on the porch, hearing the struggles and stories firsthand, and experiencing the neighborhood’s complex dualities. The family’s children attended a nearby private school, symbolizing the intersection of safety and hardship in one place.

Living together broke down barriers and stereotypes, turning outsiders into neighbors and creating bonds of trust impossible to form from afar. This act of solidarity was not just symbolic; it was a practical foundation for effective ministry and community building.

Hosting meals, sharing space, and engaging in daily life fostered relationships that changed perceptions on all sides. The community saw commitment, not charity; the family saw people, not problems.

This story challenges us to reconsider what it means to serve. True empathy requires proximity and presence, and sometimes that means uprooting comfort zones to live the mission fully.