Guest Blogger: Clayton Walker, LifeHouse Pastor

Isaiah 58:12, “Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.”

God was angry with Israel because they went through all the motions of “church” but were not bringing hope and life to the city. In fact, the Israelites even asked, “Why aren’t you impressed?” I think a lot of times we think God should be impressed with the way we do church because we think we are contemporary, different, or because we are growing, but God is looking for a church that brings hope, life, and restoration to the city. He is looking for a church that will rebuild the ruins and restore homes. He is looking for a church that blesses the hungry, poor, imprisoned, homeless, hopeless, oppressed, and depressed.

Reading through Nehemiah recently I was impressed at how Nehemiah was broken over the condition of his city and its people. His brokenness led to God moving in power through Nehemiah to rebuild his city, restore homes, defend the oppressed, and bring hope to Jerusalem. I wonder if we are broken for the condition of our cities like Nehemiah was for his.

At Experience Life we are seeking to be a church that is “For the City”. For us that means blessing the city physically by meeting practical needs in Jesus name and spiritually through the hope of the gospel. Whether through our LifeHouse small groups or corporately as a church, we are strategizing and pressing in to rebuilding the ruins and restoring homes.

May we at Experience Life be a church that is “For the City” and be about the things God is impressed with.

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