"you of little faith, why are you so afraid?"

BY SUMMER WILLIAMS

"You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:26)

If anything sums up my December every single year, it has to be this verse. For the past three years that I have been at CGM - working as a fundraiser - I sweat the entire last month from the 1st to the 31st, all day, every day. This month is one of the most important determinants of how our fundraising year will end. It undoubtedly affects how 2016 will look – how many children we will be able to serve, the number of teachers we can hire, the types of programs we will be able to offer.  

There is a lot weighing on what comes in during December, not only for the month, but the year in its entirety. It is stressful to say the least. 

This is when I begin to doubt and worry. In the midst of all this, I pray and petition on behalf of the children, families and co-workers that I love. “Dear Lord, please see my heart and my efforts and use this year and the coming year to work in the neighborhood. Please see fit to bless us with the proper finances to enter 2016 so that we may love others well for yet another year.”   I plead, wrestle, and bargain. “If you just get us through this year, I promise I will work harder in 2016 and give you all I have.”

I prayed for a very specific amount during the month of December. It was a lofty goal and one that has never been raised in the final 31 days of prior years. But I was hopeful in November. The last week of December rolled around and I watched the deposits daily, checked online donations and went in to the office to review what had come in. And we were nowhere even close to the goal I had originally established. This when I felt like I was watching the giant storm on the horizon, knowing that it would pummel my boat all while Jesus sleeps. Everything would be flipped upside down. 

Thankfully I have a calm and understanding boss that is always there to listen to my concerns. I would talk to Bryan and throughout all of this he remained extremely positive and affirmed my fundraising efforts of the past 12 months. I, however, was still anxious and not looking forward to reporting our final numbers.

And then the winds calmed.

And the Lord showed me that the fear was in vain. He showed me that my faith was little. He showed me that He was in control. He is for Common Ground Montgomery and the Washington Park neighborhood and wants to see disciples made, trauma healed, people loved well, and families restored. 

I boast on His behalf, and His behalf alone, when I say that we met our December goal. I sit here today humbled by God’s provision and your generosity. Like the disciples, I find myself asking over and over again what sort of man is this? The kind of man that handles all of the storms of life and tells them to be calm. The sort of man that is constantly reminding us of His love for us. 

So these are not simply donations that I am entering into the database but gifts that are helping to grow the kingdom, investments in to people's lives. These donations are constant reminders of his provision and your submission to his calling.  Thank you to each and every one of you that listened to His voice prompting you to donate. It is because of you that the kingdom grows daily. 

a time of transition

BY CHAQUANA TOWNSEND

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (21) to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

I never thought in a million years that after three years of full-time ministry I would say goodbye to a place I love so dearly. My time at Common Ground Montgomery has been an absolute blessing because I have seen the hand of the Lord in both the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have given my all and poured out my life as a drink offering because these children and parents are so worth it. Their lives matter because they were created by the God of the universe despite what anyone else in the world may say. They have taught me how to love hard and relentlessly. They have taught me how to say "no" when I have nothing left to give. They have loved me so well despite my failures and sin, and I am so thankful for them! I will never see the world the same again because of my time here at CGM.

However, the Lord has spoken and I will take heed to His calling. As the lower school director at CGM I have the opportunity to visit multiple schools, observe classrooms, and talk to teachers. I get the opportunity to read with students and help with homework and projects, all of which has shaped my view of education. I have such a deep respect for teachers because many educators genuinely care about the livelihood of their students. As I observed, watched, and gleaned from different teachers, my desire is to be on the other side. I absolutely love working with children! It's the thing that makes me come alive! Children have captured my heart, and I know the Lord has called me to continue to teach them in some capacity, which is why I have enrolled in graduate school. I will become a full-time student for a few more years so that I can be better equipped to be the best teacher that I believe God wants me to be.  

To my CGM family and the community of Washington Park:

Thank you! Thank you for showing me how to depend on God in ways I never knew how. Thank you for giving me hope in the midst of darkness. Thank you for teaching me to run hard even when I want to throw in the towel. Thank you for pushing me into the arms of a heavenly Father who knows what I need before I ask. Thank you so much for helping me to believe that God does indeed hear the cries of His people. Thank you for everything you have done for me because I am truly convinced that my time at Common Ground was just a small glimpse of the amazing things God has in store for me.

Although my leave is bitter sweet, I must obey the Lord above all else and follow his lead. For those of you who are transitioning to a new season, trust the God of the universe who never lies. His ways are perfect, and He is good. I am so excited to see what God does in the years to come because I know He will do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think.

thankful for our volunteers

BY AVA CONLEY

I just wanted to take some time to talk about our volunteers and how they impact me.

Our volunteers are special - I say this a lot but I truly mean it. We have so many volunteers who truly teach me about sacrificial love. There are many different areas where we need volunteers on a daily basis at CGM, but I see so many going above and beyond what is asked of them. Our volunteers spend their time, resources, and sometimes their own money investing in the lives of the student in our program.

I see God empowering individuals to lead, to make things happen, and to step out in faith to trust the Lord. Let's face it, our kids aren’t always easy to work with; in fact, most days around here are really hard. Our kids are dealing with a lot, coupled with living in a system where many others are not always fighting for them.  Bryan Stevenson is the director of Equal Justice Initiative here in Montgomery. He fights for justice for the poor, and for people whose voices aren't always heard in our country simply because of the shade of their skin. I love this quote from him: “I believe that you are more than the worst mistake that you’ve ever made”.  The volunteers that serve with us truly look past the brokenness that we all have and our kids as “more than the worst mistake that they’ve ever made”.

Our volunteers teach me that we all have a lot more in common than we realize and they teach me more and more about love. They come in without an agenda, but a willing heart to serve and see what God is going to do. I think when it really comes down to it, they can really see the beauty of the Lord in this place and the power that God has to bring us close to him through a deep and impactful relationship with each other - and this truly inspires me.

So, thank you volunteers! To me, you are more than a volunteer; you are one of our team members and a vital part of our ministry. You give us strength on days that are hard, help us fill the gaps, and are even at times a shoulder to cry on. You encourage us! Thank you for all that you do!

the mentoring life

BY KEVIN KING

In our vision we communicate that we are an incubator for gospel created relationships that transform Montgomery and beyond. The Mentor Program is a great avenue for cultivating these relationships as we prayerfully match mentors and mentees.

Sometimes when our students profess faith in Christ, it is difficult to follow up with them because of limited staff.

Thankfully, we have mentors who are in position to go a little deeper on an individual level. This is a journey as the mentor unpacks to the mentee what it means to know and follow Christ in all areas of life. This is an opportunity for mentors to bring their students closer to Jesus through an ongoing, one-to-one relationship.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that every time that they get together that they use it as an opportunity to have a Bible study. This does mean, however, that as mentors invest time and get to know their mentee as a person (likes, dislikes, interest, fears, passions, weaknesses, etc.) that they listen, learn, encourage, and look for opportunities to introduce them to the person of Jesus Christ.

This doesn’t only mean sharing a gospel presentation but communicating and demonstrating with their daily life in front of their mentees why and how Jesus loves them and cares a great deal for their spiritual, physical, social, and emotional well-being.

We approach mentoring this way because some, myself included, have been guilty of building relationships with the intent of winning someone to Christ without actually caring to get to know the actual person, even it doesn’t have anything to do with spirituality. We subconsciously do this with good intentions because of our desire to be an instrument of redemption that causes the angels to rejoice in heaven.

To be honest, though, people notice when we have an agenda, so the relational repercussions can be damaging once they realize that we only are in the relationship to try and lead them to Christ. But what if they never come to Christ?  Whether it is mentoring in a formal capacity with CGM, or just any other relationship, people actually want to be treated as if they are humans with real life issues instead of only some project that needs salvation. 

Being a mentor may seem not as easy, at least in this light, but we are proud to have them on board and we look forward to seeing them walk with their mentees as they both walk with Christ and share life together.

when being present is all you can offer

BY Cornelius "CJ" Jackson

Something in her eyes betrayed the frown on her face. Yes, the young eight year-old girl who had just exited the Common Ground Montgomery van was snarling — appearing to be angry and defiant. But sadness in her eyes told a different story. As she made her way to the gymnasium where other energetic kids were running around and playing, it was apparent that she was in no mood for fun. My first thought — she got in trouble on the van ride to the CGM campus. Or maybe some kids were picking at her and she was upset.

“What’s wrong, baby girl?” I asked.

“Nothing!!!”

The sharp reply did not originate from the pouting lips in front of me. Instead, an older girl had closed the distance between me and the young girl, running up from behind her and draping her arm around her shoulders; comforting her, protecting her. They were sisters.

Again, I inquired, “What’s going on?”

The small child’s mouth moved, but the words were inaudible. I stooped down in front of her—my face mere inches from hers. I could see her eyes tearing up quickly; big tears streaming down her round cheeks, splattering the front of her uniform shirt. She repeated her sentence, and I made out what she’d previously exclaimed: “I want my daddy!”

Oh... I see.

This is common, familiar; children have bad days and want to call home. They don’t want to be anywhere but in the arms of their mom or on the laps of their dad.

“Maybe we can call your dad. Will that make you feel better?”

More tears - big sadness in her eyes - more tears.

“Our daddy is dead,” said the older sister, the protector.

And then I remembered. It was a few months back, he was murdered in Gibbs Village.

Man — I feel so stupid.

“Come here!” I call out. And I take them both into my arms and try to comfort them — my mind racing, thinking, imagining how a little girl must attempt to process such big pain. How could I focus on a test if death was my distraction? What would my public mood be like if melancholy was my personal acquaintance?

“I got you, baby girl… I got you!”  

2 Corinthians 1:3-4   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

I do thank God for the privilege and the opportunity that CGM gives me to just be present, to be available — even if that is all I can offer.