The Story Continues with You
Our coverage focuses on six cities, but God is at work elsewhere, and we want to hear how his followers are bringing systemic renewal to communities the country over. The “7th City” is perhaps the most exciting leg of this project: the section devoted to stories of Christians bringing shalom to your community. If you have a story to tell, we would love to hear it. Contact our director of engagement, Christy Tennant, using the Submit Your Story button below, and join the conversation on Facebook.
Tell Us Your Story
We are gathering stories of Christians finding creative ways to bless their community. While we are encouraged to hear any story of city transformation, we are particularly interested in stories that:
- Center on a Christian or group of Christians, rather than an official church structure
- Center on Christians working in business, the arts, government, education, media, and politics
- Are currently unfolding, and thereby include conflict and emotion.
Thank you!
Costa Mesa, California
Why Civic Engagement Belongs in Every Church's Mission Statement
Churches can commission their members to vocationally bless their community, says California pastor Michael Decker
5.25.12
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Ed Dobson: How God Uses My Lou Gehrig's Disease for Good
The seasoned pastor connects Kim Newlen's story of battling breast cancer to his own battle with ALS
5.18.12
7th City
Culture Making Amid Cancer: The Choices That Suffering Makes Possible
Without getting breast cancer at age 27, would I have reached out to that Somali family on the subway?
5.16.12
7th City
Artificial Grace: Why the Creation Needs Human Creativity
A meditation on "Furniture Fit for the Kingdom," the City project's newest film.
5.2.12
Atlanta, Georgia
Lecrae's 'Man Up' Mission to Address Father Absence
The 32-year-old Christian rapper says biblical manhood is the key to stopping fatherlessness in Atlanta and beyond.
4.26.12
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Waiting for the Real Superman: A Christian School Closes the Achievement Gap
Hope Academy in Minneapolis says its success reaching at-risk youth rests on Jesus.
4.19.12
Venice, California
Bloom Where You Are Planted: Why We Chose Public School
A year in the life of a mom and community member turned public-school advocate.
4.13.12
Washington, D.C.
Duty and Desire: The Best Hope for Our Children's Education
What kind of school our children attend is far less important than what kind of people they are shaped into
4.12.12
Naperville, Illinois
An Unexpected Choice: Why We Traded the Public School for Homeschooling
The countercultural decision has redefined our family's notion of success.
4.11.12
Hoboken, New Jersey
'This Is a God Place': Why I Send My Kids to Christian School
Mustard Seed School teaches my children—and many others—that they are loved.
4.10.12
7th City
We're Not the First Generation of Urban Christians
Today's city-loving evangelicals may feel like pioneers, but they stand on the shoulders of spiritual giants.
4.5.12
7th City
Why Christians Can Raise Kids Anywhere: A Response to Kathy Keller
Christ calls us not to a particular location but to a particular way of life.
3.23.12
Wauconda, Illinois
God Called Me to Move to the Trailer Park
How the forgotten outskirts of Chicagoland became one woman's mission field.
3.8.12
Dallas, TX
The Baylor CEO Changing the Health-Care Debate
Joel Allison, head of Baylor Health Care System, says service and preventive care are key to changing U.S. standards
3.6.12
7th City
A Savvy Peacemaker Building across Missouri's Race Lines
From city council meetings to street corners, Lorenzo Lawson is shaping a more just Columbia, Missouri.
2.23.12
7th City
The Spiritual Discipline of Staying Put: Planting Roots in a Placeless Culture
Instead of "moving up in the world," what if God wants us to remain in one place?
2.9.12
7th City
Breaking Through the Glass Sidewalk: Why Every City Needs Women Influencers
How women uniquely lead neighborhood transformation.
2.7.12
Indianapolis, IN
A Legacy in Indianapolis That Outlives the Super Bowl
Long before the NFL named my hometown this year's host city, Near Eastside leaders were revitalizing the heart of their neighborhoods.
2.1.12
Charlotte, NC
Shrimp and Grits with a Side of 'Shalom': The King's Kitchen Revitalizes Charlotte
Every aspect of Jim Noble's newest restaurant—including the food, all local—is designed to reflect the kingdom of God.
1.31.12
7th City
We Can't Go Back to the Garden: Critiquing Evangelicals' Over-Ruralized Eschatology
The Bible suggests we should envision the new heavens and earth as an urban landscape, not a field of lilies.
1.26.12
Memphis, TN
A Christian Teacher Residency Program That Eschews Classroom Evangelism
Memphis Teacher Residency tells residents to witness to Christ by teaching with excellence—and by committing to Memphis for the long haul.
1.24.12
Knoxville, TN
A Guide to Being Salt and Light in Knoxville
Compassion Coalition aims to mobilize and deploy Christians to address their city's brokenness.
1.18.12
Chicago, IL
Building Houses As If They Mattered
In his attention to sustainability, community, and integrity, Chicago-based Perry Bigelow builds houses that foster their inhabitants' flourishing.
1.10.12
Indianapolis, IN
Before 'Transforming' Your Neighborhood, Talk to Your Neighbors
For my failed megachurch, renewing the Near Eastside of Indianapolis meant stopping long enough to listen.
1.4.12
7th City
The Kardashians and Common Grace: Winter in Los Angeles
For all its vapidity, LA shows forth God's power and humanity's longing for him.
12.22.11
7th City
Taste and See That Seattle Is Good—Especially at Christmastime
The bounties of the earth and the best of human creativity direct me to the Maker of all.
12.22.11
7th City
Twinkly Lights in the Palm Tree: Why I Love Christmas in Miami
The city of emigrants reveals an important truth: We are all wanderers on the earth.
12.21.11
7th City
Boston at Christmas: Beauty, History, and That New England Frankness
I'm grateful for the way my city has nourished my art and imagination.
12.20.11
7th City
Who Will Love the City After a Nuclear Attack?
If history and our own resurrection hope bear out, it will be the Christians.
12.14.11
7th City
Andy Crouch on the Flourishing of the City
How is God at work in your own community? We want to know.
12.9.11
Salt Lake City, UT
How Mormon Country Became My Home
Now, instead of complaining about Salt Lake City's odder aspects, I pray for its well being.
12.7.11
Pittsburgh, PA
An Ichthus in a Sea of Loan Sharks
How faith-based nonprofit Grace Period is turning the tide on predatory lending.
12.6.11
Denver, CO
Doing Good and Turning a Profit
For businessman James Reiner, hiring ex-cons is more than a mission of mercy. It's smart business.
11.28.11
Boston, MA; Rockwall, TX; Colorado Springs, CO
Gratitude Comes to the City
Christian writers share what they love about where they live.
11.23.11
Seattle, WA
Where Christian Civic Engagement Begins
Tim Soerens believes that contributing to the shalom of his city starts with showing up.
11.21.11
Charlottesville, VA
No More 'Christian Artists' in Charlottesville
Three artists groups blur the sacred-secular divide in central Virginia.
11.17.11
North Little Rock, AR
A New Name for North Little Rock
River City Ministry teams with local mayors in the so-called 'meanest city to the homeless.'
11.16.11
Seattle, WA
Classical Christian Education Goes to the City
Seattle's first classical Christian school hopes to train future generations of Jesus-loving city leaders.
11.7.11
Chicago, IL
Revisiting Boystown
As its founder transitions, Emmaus Ministries continues to serve male prostitutes in Chicago.
11.3.11
7th City
A New Kind of Urban Ministry
Christians no longer want their communities fixed. They want them flourishing.
10.28.11
7th City
Seeking a 'Fanboy' Faith
Becoming 'fans' in our cities: an excerpt from 'Your Neighbor's Hymnal.'
10.20.11
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