Road Crossing 101
Camden, NJ
Bruce Main is the founder and president of Urban Promise, a Christian ministry within the city of Camden, NJ - one of the poorest and most violent cities in the US. It is located in the wealthiest state in the US and only a 10 minute drive from Moorestown, consistently voted one of the best residential communities in the country. In his book, Why Jesus Crossed the Road, Main suggests that what he calls “road crossing” should be recognized as another spiritual discipline. He defines road crossing as the intentional effort to connect with people different from yourself and that the ability to do so demonstrates a level of spiritual maturity frequently not found in most Christians.
Over the years I, too, have fallen in love with the city of Camden, having led dozens of short-term trips with groups from the University where I worked and also my church in Bristol, TN. It is an odd thing to be in love with a place that is unlovely, full of extreme levels of brokenness and strife. It is this genuine availability of the believer, to be touched by God and used in whatever manner God sees fit, that is the essence of road crossing.
Road crossing is far more impactful than simply providing charity as it connects people through relationships, encouraging mutual understanding and growth. Though I’m still learning the ropes here, I think RPC has attempted to embody the idea of road crossing in many ways. The Neighborhood Action Ministry has RPC people engaged directly with others in the community and each individual is transformed. Our international mission programs to Kenya, Guatemala and Mexico are established through long-term relationships and mutual trust. Our support for agencies such as the Drake House and North Fulton Community Charities allow these organizations to establish their own agendas and help us discern meaningful ways RPC people can be involved.
Yet, I know we still have room to grow. It is often easier for me to simply donate some of my expendable income than to become involved. But I am sure that is not quite how God wants me to be in community with others. I believe God has an amazing story to write in our own context if we are willing to learn and practice the spiritual discipline of road crossing in the place God has directed us. This is one of my favorite books to read with groups “Why Jesus Crossed the Road: Following the Unconventional Travel Itinerary of Jesus” by Bruce Main. I hope to be able to share it with some of you sometime soon as we all attempt to follow the example of Jesus and cross the roads around us.
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Dan Kreiss, RPC’s new Associate Pastor for Mission Outreach, brings with him a heart for service and a diverse array of experiences in the mission field. Be sure to subscribe to the Mission Outreach Blog to read and follow along as he documents his personal journey and shares his vision for RPC’s mission outreach commitment. Along with providing meaningful resources, this blog will help jumpstart the important conversations our church community must be having about missional living.
Dan Kreiss
Rev. Dr. Dan Kreiss is the Associate Pastor for Mission Outreach at RPC. Dan is particularly passionate about encouraging the church to reflect the diversity found in its surrounding community in regard to age, gender, ethnicity, education and economic status.