Several people have asked me recently about our relationship and partnership with the Rev. Willie Bacote and the Missing Link Street Ministry
I am seeing The CORE Church doing more and more with Rev. Willie Bacote and his Missing Link Street Ministry. He and I have a common vision and passion for reaching out to Troy's urban poor. We have developed a relationship that is continuing to be shaped by the hand of God. He and I have spiritual gifting that compliments each other, while at the same time there are differences that God is working out in his time. Some would call such differences “barriers.” Barriers are nothing more than challenges that can be met and overcome through Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. For one, there is a racial barrier. As much as I’d like to think that this is not an issue, there are thoughts and feelings on both sides that have been shaped by society, culture, life experiences and upbringing. Whenever people of different backgrounds and upbringings come together there will be challenges that must be addressed. By the grace of God these barriers will continue to erode, as he transforms us by the renewing of out minds, and the glory of God will be revealed.
What a powerful testimony we will have as this ministry partnership continues to develop, as people of different races and cultures come together, in the name of Jesus Christ, and He is lifted up. Together we are planning some great community ministries, in addition to our ongoing, three-nights-per week feed-a-kid ministry. Our common desire is to see people’s lives transformed by the powerful hand of God. That includes the lives of two men called by God to lead such a vision. Even as ministry leaders God continues to transform and shape our hearts and minds individually, so that we can come together and serve Christ. He increases our capacity to love others, regardless of their skin color, cultural heritage, language, social status, etc. This demonstrates to those we are leading that God is at work in us, and that we are not just talking the talk, but walking the walk.
Will you continue to pray for us as we serve the living, triune God?
