New Hope Community Church (Alliance) is a beacon of light in West Brighton, Staten Island—one of New York’s troubled inner city neighborhoods. Living up to its name, the church reaches its neighbors with the good news of Jesus through a myriad of outreaches.
Recently, Alliance Youth and Group Missions sponsored Books and Flowers Spring Celebration, a day-long outreach event, in West Brighton. Youth groups throughout the northeast, as well as dozens of local volunteers, joined forces to plant several hundred flowers and bushes, creating more than 40 gardens throughout the community.
During the day, the team connected with area residents, distributing more than a thousand children’s prayer books as well as building relationships. We were told that kids and the crack addicts would tear up all the gardens in a few days, but after four months, not one flower or bush has been uprooted. The entire area, which was barren and filthy, now is free of litter and remains beautiful since the planting.
It’s OK to Come
At the end the outreach, one of the volunteers introduced me to Eleanor, a West Brighton resident, and her great granddaughter, Abigail. With tears in her eyes, Eleanor thanked me for the beautification of the neighborhood.
“All of the good in our family seems to have found its way into Abigail,” said Eleanor. “She has always been a light to us all, but lately, I’ve seen that light being snuffed out. Today, I saw her come alive again as she spent the day with your people.
“I haven’t seen [Abigail] like this in so long,” she continued. “Would it be OK if she came to your church?”
“Of course,” I said. “We would love that, and you are welcome as well.”
Eleanor dropped her head as if that was a question she was dreading. “I’m sorry to say that I’m an atheist. I don’t believe in God.”
“You are still welcome,” I said. “We have many people [there] who aren’t sure about their faith. Just come and warm your hands by the fire.”
She began to cry. “You mean, it’s OK to come if I don’t believe?”
“Of course,” I said.
Since that day, Abigail hasn’t missed one after-school program or summer camp. Eleanor also began attending church, crying through every service from start to finish.
Last month, when I welcomed anyone who wants to begin a relationship with Christ to receive His gift of salvation and celebrate the Lord’s Supper with us, Eleanor came forward. She opened her heart to Christ and cried for another hour.
Jesus is still making all things new—still the sweetest name I know.
—Pastor Dave Beidel, New Hope Community Church, Staten Island, New York
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