DETROIT, MI – Wow… what a summer! Heart and Soul community church has a mission to Reach, Revive and Restore individuals to a dedicated life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Our Lord gave me a vision and desire to plant a church to enhance and enrich the spiritual lives of those living in the Detroit area. I daily contemplate how can we live Luke 10:27 and put feet to our mission and vision? Through our Lords guidance we began to partner with others. This summer our Lord’s direction not only brought feet to our mission and vision; His direction brought feet with roller skates.
I’ve worked with Cru Inner City for approx. 10 years assisting with various initiatives, boxes of love (thanksgiving meals for those in need), Back to School Power Packs, Resurrection Bags and Athletes in Action (JAM Camp). The goal of J.A.M (Jesus Athletics and Manhood) Camp is to minister to High school teens inner city communities through athletics and the gospel of Jesus Christ. This summer 7 states from Detroit, MI to Houston, TX participated. Praise God…32 teens accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior!
I also worked with Cru Inner City regarding discipleship training. Our Lord spoke to my heart to follow up with our JAM Camp participants and take a deeper dive to disciple youth of all age’s boys and girls. To walk with them and help them understand their assurance of Salvation, prayer and the Bible. I also desired outings and God blessed. We obtained Tigers game tickets and to create innovative thinkers, I developed a partnership with Henry Ford. One day, I noticed 7 kids sharing one bike. Following the completion of 6 weeks training, could the youth possibly gain a bike?? Yes…through Christ and partnerships.
An anticipated annual summer event is our yearly church picnic and baptismal. The vision of “Gathering in the Park” is to bring different Christian ethic/culture groups together to praise the LORD and set an example to show that Christian fellowship is based on one thing, the love of Jesus. We bring audio equipment. So, joyous praise to our Savior and a Christ centered message resonates through the park. We enjoy delicious food (I mean the works… ribs, chicken, burgers, sides, desserts), joyous fellowship and we take’em to the river. Well, actually… to the lake for Baptism. Glory to God 12 individuals were baptized this year.
Partnership and hot fun in the summer continued with Vacation Bible School. A rally kicks off the event with popcorn, cotton candy, bouncers and sign up for a week of Christ centered fun and activities. A Nutty Professor (me) with wild white hair and rotted fake teeth (that continued to fall out) as I spoke with a German-Ebonics accent. I successfully brought biblical characters through a time machine. The fun and learning continued with help from CEF.
The saying “better together” was truly evident this summer. Partnerships continued as our ministry-built relationships with various churches and businesses for our 200 bags of groceries and clothes give-away. This Lovefest outreach strives to tear down walls that separate geography, ethnic groups, denominations and pull together as a community serving our neighborhoods. We served hot dogs and hamburgers, youth enjoyed bouncers and adults were welcome to health screenings with two church services. Over 30 individuals stepped forward to learn more about a love relationship with our risen Savior.
Do you believe praises to our Savior could be heard within a health insurance company? Heart & Soul partnered with BCBSM for a Faith and Wellness Challenge. Various churches from metro Detroit and Grand Rapids participated in a 12-week program for faith-based communities focusing on physical activity and education from health experts.
Summer concluded with a book bag give away, free haircuts, nail polish for girls and ice cream sundaes. Did I say… Wow what, t a summer!!! Together we can reach, revive and restore our community with the love of our precious Savior Jesus Christ.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cornelius Roberson is an urban church planter in Detroit Michigan at Heart and Soul Community Church. He is a graduate of Union College and he has worked with Alcoholic’s for Christ Ministry (8yrs) and Promise Keeper’s ministry (7yrs). He severed as an Associate Minister of Detroit's Afro American ministries and Outreach Pastor for First Baptist of Oak Park. He has worked as a Social worker for the last twenty-five (25 yrs) and he is currently a licensed Social Worker for the State of Michigan. Cornelius is a licensed minister and has received a Master of Arts degree in Christian Psychology at Moody Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Marisa, have three awesome adult children, a beautiful daughter-in-law and four inquisitive grandchildren; Josiah, Jordan, Jaden. And Jayla