From: Muriel Luedeman
Independence Is Alive and Well Initiative Report and Activities
Dear Unity Center and Initiative Family,
READ and SEE the great, exciting things happening! God continues on the move. There is so much to report, only the general points are given here. Expect more news installments to follow.
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The January 26th IIAW meeting notes.
Dennis Cato: Encouraged us to spread the word about the progress of the Initiative and the Unity Center. Resources and people are coming forward to assist in obedience to the two great commandments to Love God and Love People. Brother Cato said it's vital for the Initiative and Unity Center to be known as an alliance of all Christian ministries and churches working under beliefs held in common, that we serve Jesus Christ as our Savior and serve one another in love. The greater the numbers we have the greater the positive impact upon the city the sooner we will have victory over drugs, sex trafficking, and declining neighborhoods. The work is not about adding numbers in pews, but coming together on our streets every day, building God's Kingdom on earth.
Brenda Van Fleet: City of Our God signs are still asked for to display; they are in several cities now. About 300 signs remain. Contact Brenda if you want one. 816-721-3962
On cityofourgodindpendence.com is a new link: Independence Prays which the Holy Spirit led Brenda to initiate for our town. Sign up to pray 15 minutes one day each week, so the city is blanketed in 24/7 prayer year round. No personal information is needed, just click on a time slot and pray. Bless Every Home is another website that helps one pray for 5 neighbors by name and address every day.
Billy Tharp: The roof repair is complete. The company installing 46 windows has agreed to start with the funds already provided. No payment is due until work is completed. The Center is using remaining funds from roof repair, a $25,000 gift from the LDS Stake, and a $15,000gift from a local business to get the work going. We are praying for the remaining $40,000 to finish that project. The Center is being prepared for a visit from city officials and the fire department. Pray that the city will allow the Unity Center to open a warming center for the cold winter weather upon us now.
Chari Tharp: Guidance for personal contact with the Beloveds. Pray to know God's direction. Work in pairs if possible in public places. Don't give money. Don't let them use your phone or give them your phone number. Don't let them know where you live. Don't give them a ride alone in your car. Have information about the Unity Center and other resources. Have a bag of food and items to offer them. Offer to pray for them. Let them know that plans are in the works to get them comprehensive help for where they want to be and where God wants them to be.
Kat Ballard: Recently returned to her hometown, Kat was disheartened by how littered the city was everywhere. She appreciated learning that the Initiative does regular litter pick up. She will be working with the Initiative and Unity Center, investigating ways to encourage recycling by the citizens. Recycling affects the amount of litter on our streets, by creating a mindset of stewardship in the community. The meeting members accepted Kat's ideas as something the Body of Christ should be doing, being good stewards over our resources and working to have a neat clean city.
Muriel Luedeman: Initiated collection jar at the daily prayer group she attends to collect pocket change for the Unity Center, a simple way to plant daily awareness for the plight of our Beloveds, and encourage the Initiative ministries and Unity Center staff that the members are seriously supporting this work of God. Bringing collected pocket change will be a monthly practice. All IIAW members are encouraged to bring or send it to the Unity Center. God blessed the first effort by multiplying the amount. Group members found other caches of coins around the house and in their cars and dropped it in the jar. In 11 days before the IIAW meeting, $88 was collected. A collection jar was set out at the meeting for others to add their collections. Final total came to $502.47! The address one can send contributions to is The UNITY CENTER, PO BOX 521141, Independence, MO 64052. This is as much FUN as watching the KC Chiefs play football!
Ron Kroeger: A support team for the Beloveds on the streets is operating in Independence with immediate success. Quick Trips and other places the Holy Spirit provides connections which leads to sharing with men on the streets job opportunities and guidance on how to interview for work and providing proper attire. Ron has a website to be shared at another time.
Gary Metzger: Presented information on the McCune Home for Boys in Northeast Independence near 24 Hwy and Little Blue Parkway. 260 acres, mostly wooded, several buildings damaged by vandals and thieves. Multi-million dollar project, yet doable. This property is city owned, laying unused since closing about 10 years ago. Gary investigated what the current state of the property is at the moment and interested parties. There is talk about it going up for sale soon. Pastors Billy Tharp and Brian Carline were out to the land several times, praying over it for a home for our Beloveds and their education. This current interest in McCune is an encouraging move of God. Pray for favor from the city to develop it into the next Kingdom education center for men.
That's all for now. I will send more information soon.
Muriel Luedeman
IIAW Communications Secretary.
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