Serve Austin Sunday

“So, what is the next move?” Someone asked me in our small little group meeting in my living room.

“We’re gonna start serving, that seems like the next step, it seems like the ‘what’ we should be doing even if we don’t become a church.” I responded.

“okay, when, when are going to do this?” was the next question, that entered the group discussion.

“Let’s do it on Sundays, let’s serve Austin on Sundays…I think without saying a word, it communicates volumes. Serving this city is not our left-over event, it is part of our very DNA.”

Next question came up, “So, what are we gonna call it?”

I responded, “Let’s call it Restore Austin.” “Really, that’s it, Restore Austin, that’s all?” “Sure, it communicates everything. It has spiritual, physical, communal, personal, and social connotations…we want to restore all of those elements. ”

It’s been two years since that conversation, I don’t think anyone in that room really thought that Restore Austin would be much more than service projects on any given Sunday, and for that matter, that serving on Sunday would be much more than 30 people serving at a time, but it is amazing what happens when God blows up your dream!

We’ll it is different, it is very different, it is very different in a very good way. Due to many partnerships, strong leaders, and common visions, serving on Sunday is just one thing we do, but it is still one amazing thing we do, and yesterday (01/31/10) was the best one to date.

Yesterday Austin New Church, The East Austin Art House, the Austin Mustard Seed, Soul Movement, and Church in Reverse partnered with Blackland Community Development, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Foundation for the Homeless, Parks and recreation city-department, CapCity Kids, Communities in Schools, and Jackie’s Fine Art School, to serve the city, love our neighbors, and impact the individual, collective, and social renewal of this city! We fed over 400 homeless people; we turned a grundgey classroom into an inspiring, life-filled, therapeutic learning environment; began the physical transformation of an old church building into a community enhancement center; worked on a duplex that will be turned into a home for the impoverished and disabled; beautified park-grounds; we transformed the campus of a fine arts school; and helped bring dignity back to neighborhoods.

How did you all do this? Well, first, it must be understood, that Restore Austin isn’t a recruiting agency with a bunch of employees, we’re simply a bunch of volunteers who love Jesus and love this city, and live with this conviction. We’ve partnered with local pastors who have this in their DNA. Pastors like Brandon Hatmaker (co-founded Restore Austin), John Chandler, Seth Kniep, David Avila, Tray Pruet and Leonard Moore who are committed to making this part of the DNA of their churches. So, we engaged over 300 volunteers who were willing to work in 35 degree weather as opposed to staying home under a warm blanket watching television. We engaged people who honestly believe that the way of Jesus and the way to be the church is to be engaged in a life of service, community, and renewal; and that these elements aren’t done in addition to worship, these ARE our acts of worship!

So, for those who served yesterday, in the 35 degree weather, THANK YOU! To those who allowed us to partner with you for the individual, collective, and social renewal of this city, we are honored to be considered your partners – THANK YOU! For those who want to help make a difference in this city, and know more about how they can be involved, welcome!

Love you all,

Matthew