A month ago I got the amazing privilege to wander around Barcelona with one of Christian Associates missionary families, Justin and Jenn Powell. I was deeply impressed with how they lived and how they intentionally connected with so many people. While we walked, it was remarkable how many people Justin knew by name. This came about as a result of them taking the time to, what we in our church planting lingo call, “embed” in their context. That simply means for us the first step for every missional church planter is not to plan or start a worship service, but to actually make friends…I know that is an amazing concept, but you’d be surprised if you knew however many people just don’t get the habit of listening and learning the culture they seek to bring the Gospel to. We use the phrase “listen for the joys and laments of a particular context.” Jenn and Justin do get it and it shows.
Here’s a video of their project in Barcelona. You can catch right away that Justin has become a keen student of his city and as a result has fallen in love the Catalan people.
BARCELONA from Christian Associates on Vimeo.
I would be interested in what you think of their work. Maybe doing something like this is in your future. If it is, click the CA Join the Movement link. Thanks! That will get you started.
Peace!
