Affecting

We are a movement about affecting our communities as passionate Polish followers of Jesus. We are sent to live, support, care, and intentionally develop relationships, within our neighborhoods. Intentionally focused on the spiritual and on the practical needs of our neighbors provides the opportunities to connect people to God in worship and service. Always measuring how we are affecting the people around us, listening, correcting, and revising along the way. Above all depending on the Spirit to guide us and confirmed by listening to those around us.

Intentionally living in community, for community, and affecting it, is not a foreign idea to Jesus:

25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
27 The man answered, “‘You must love the lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.

35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” – Luke 10:25-37 NLT

How will we affect people?

The way we envision affecting our communities, wherever we are placed, is through creating place and space for community. This could look like helping to establish community vegetable gardens, connecting with parents on the playground, hosting things like “friendsgiving” (thanksgiving with friends), and providing a space for the community to use (for birthday parties, meetings, events, etc). We will also intentionally affect the community through our service, working with NGOs and corporations to work on volunteer projects that are for vulnerable people in our cities.

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