Needless to say, I think you should, and here’s why. 

Anyone who has heard Tim speak recently RE: ministry to the city knows that God has given him unique eyes, a unique heart and a unique message, calling for powerful Christian presence and action in the city.  Recently our staff team heard Tim address urban ministers and church planters at a conference in Dallas – three terrific presentations.  The insights and instructions were inspiring and practical: they continue to inform our efforts to plant All Saints as a church that stands faithfully and lovingly at the intersection of needs and issues in our community.  Call it prophetic clarity, call it integrity rooted in action, call it the logical outworking of someone who really gets the necessary balance of truth and love in Christ – call it what you will: Keller has a message that Christians committed to authentic impact need to hear.

Beyond that, the impetus behind this event – DurhamCares – is seeding “holistic collaborative Christian mission” into our community.  Praise God!  When people, or a ministry, plant something that captures God’s heart, in prayer and sacrifice, they insert “yeast that leavens the whole loaf.”  Who knows what God may do with us as the Church in Durham as a result of the presence and vision of DurhamCares?

That “yeasting” has happened recently with a group in our church that has been reading Tim Keller’s Generous Justice together.  Like DurhamCares, Keller’s book seeds a vision for mercy and justice ministries, coupled with a strong commitment to the Gospel.   He does a terrific job of communicating a biblical vision for justice and mercy ministries; and because “justice-mercy-Jesus” captures the heart and will of God for the city, God is using Generous Justice to stir people at All Saints to action.  Our commitment and collaborative work with 3+ other churches and agencies to minister to our high-need neighborhood is deepening substantially.  This mission is not just impacting people “out there” either: unity, love and joy are growing in All Saints as people pray and sacrificially serve together in the Name and power of Christ.

I look forward to gathering with others who share a commitment to Durham, believing that God may plant or nurture seeds of his heart into a movement. 

I hope to see you there.

Steve Breedlove

Rector, All Saints Church