unite

Silence

2013-06-01T22:58:00.001-04:00

By Kyle Patterson, Editor.

Silence.

Truth be told silence is one of the most difficult yet most rewarding disciplines. Early morning, late night, when the world around me has finally settled down, there is something so powerful about encountering God when no one else is looking. Take away the flashing lights and impressive music. When the crowd is gone, is when our hearts are revealed. Matter of fact it’s what our Lord modeled for us. (See Luke 5:16) Yet, the discipline of prayer and silence is so counter-cultural, it takes intentional follow through to make it happen. Reminds me of the book of Hebrews: Strive to enter His rest.

I like what musician Misty Edwards said,
“Solitude is being alone and talking to God. Isolation is being alone and talking to yourself.”

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget the simplicity of purity of devotion to Christ. Funny thing…Paul wrote the Corinthians about that very thing. It’s so simple, yet so profound. God has reconciled the world to himself in Christ. Experience it. Experience Him. Drink the Spirit in. Surrender all to Him and wait and see his resurrection at work in and through you.

Six Ways to Improve Your Prayer Life

2013-05-25T22:46:00.001-04:00

By Kyle Patterson

“You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life”. - John Ortberg

In the midst of life’s hustle and bustle it can be a challenge to slow down and actually engage in extended periods of prayer, or prayer at all for that matter other than the occasional, “help me God.” Yet the Bible is full of God’s promises in response to the prayers of his people. I believe the lack of prayer in the Church of America is the primary reason behind the church’s lack of influence, spiritual power and holiness. Yet, feeling guilty is no long term motivator to pray. Like any relationship, our relationship with the Father needs to be cultivated and grown, and that can take time.

Jeremiah 29:13 New International Version (NIV) ¹³You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

So here are a few ways to keep your prayer life going strong:

1) Put it on your schedule. Sounds simple enough but writing it down or typing it into your calendar makes a difference. Set a notification system to remind you and do it.

2) Start with small increments. You don’t have to begin praying 2 hours straight. Rather start with 10 minutes.

3) Combine prayer and worship together. Don’t think of prayer as a laundry list of needs. Rather think of it as time spent with Christ. Slow down and listen, sing, praise, receive, tune into and invite the Presence of the Holy Spirit to be with you.

4) Journal. Record some of your prayers and what impressions God puts on your heart. As you start writing you’ll be surprised how a flow of spontaneous thoughts and inspiration comes to you. (This is one of the ways God speaks by his Spirit.)

5) Be still and listen. ‘Nough said.

6) Surrender all. Stop holding back, offer your body, soul and spirit to Christ as a living sacrifice. Ask him to use you as his servant. You are the living sacrifice that God consumes with his fire.

Kyle Patterson is the publisher and editor of Thrive and Unite magazines, founder of Prayer Collective, Inc. and currently works full time as Director-Development of Buffalo City Mission.

KAWELLE TO HOST 3rd ANNUAL RUBBER DUCKY RACE AND BBQ

2013-05-25T22:37:00.001-04:00

WILLIAMSVILLE, NY- Kawelle will host its third annual rubber ducky race and BBQ to raise funds for Kenyan communities on Saturday, June 29th at 12:00pmat Island Park in Williamsville.

With the donation of $5 for registering online (kawelle.org/events) or $10 for registering at the event, participants will be able to race a rubber ducky down Ellicott Creek. All profits of the sale of rubber duckies will go toward the mission of supporting Kenyan communities.

There will also be a great silent auction with items that include a signed U2 electric guitar, an entire cast signed Twilight picture, Sidney Crosby signed photo, Muhammad Ali signed boxing glove, Justin Bieber singed photo, Michael Jackson signed record album, Beatles signed record album, and much more!

Prizes will be awarded to those whose rubber ducky reaches the finish line near the front of the pack. Prizes include an Apple iPad, Galleria Mall gift cards, and numerous other gift cards to local establishments.

The event is open to the public and those wishing to partake can register online at kawelle.org/events or at Island Park the day of the event. Attendees can enjoy BBQ food, a family friendly bounce house, face painting, music, and games.

You Shine Through

2013-05-15T22:32:00.001-04:00

Grace Race is June 4

2013-05-15T07:00:00.003-04:00

CARMEN TO PERFORM LIVE APRIL 26 IN WILLIAMSVILLE

2013-04-22T21:24:00.001-04:00

Wheatfield Community Church, along with Evangel Assembly of God, will be hosting a Night with CARMAN on Friday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m. Christian recording artist Carman will present a unique concert event and gospel message at Evangel Assembly, 8180 Greiner Road, Williamsville, NY. A $10 guaranteed seating pass is available from local sponsor church, Wheatfield Community Church, by calling (716) 553-3794. VIP tickets are $20 each and include a free CD ($20 value), a meet and greet after the concert and preferred seating. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m.

Carman, a cultural phenomenon, with 15 gold and platinum CD’s, 10 million sales, the largest Christian concerts in history: 80,000 plus, released his latest work “Anthems of a Champion” CD in January. Join Carman in an intimate LIVE setting, as he reveals the truth through words and music as a writer, actor and speaker. Millions of souls won, Carman reveals his triumphs and tragedies as the most effective, yet entertaining soul winner of our generation.

There is limited seating available. Wheatfield Community Church is located at 3571 Niagara Falls Blvd. Wheatfield, NY 14120 (Meadowbrook Square Plaza). The passes will be sold Wednesdays between 6:30pm-7:15pm, 9:00pm-9:30pm, and Sundays between 12:30pm-2:00pm. Payments are accepted by cash or check only. To purchase passes by mail, please call to reserve passes. Send your check to Wheatfield Community Church, PO Box 157 Niagara Falls, NY 14304. Passes are also available at Evangel Assembly.

All America Shall Be Saved.’ But Can Buffalo be Saved?

2013-04-18T21:34:00.003-04:00

Revs. Al and Deb Warner

on behalf of those who serve the regional Church in

Western New York

For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump dies in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant.

Job 14:7-9 (NRSV)

Earlier this year, International Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke declared “All America Shall Be Saved.” What? Does Bonnke not know the condition of our country, the advance of evil, and the scepter of impending judgment? Or could it be that it is easier for me to recognize the work of the enemy than to celebrate the work of the Father?

Take Buffalo, NY -- our city. Can Buffalo be saved? Last summer, we wrote an article for Breaking Christian News reflecting on Nik Wallenda’s high-wire walk across Niagara Falls, our sister city to the north. We said, “As is the case for Christians across the world, our region (which includes Western New York and Southern Ontario) has been believing for a move of God of epic proportions to come in our midst. We have fasted, we have prayed, we have repented, we have prophesied, we have come together.”

Good Friday, 2013, was a game changer for our city. History was made and atmosphere shifted as between 11,000 – 13,000 congregants came together to lift high one name – Jesus Christ!

First, a look back… For fifty years, Buffalo has been in a death dive. Our population has dropped from 580,000 to 260,000. Jobs were lost, housing values plummeted, poverty and crime increased – an all too familiar story in our urban hubs. As the verses from Job 14 state: a dead stump.

But God sometimes does His best work in the darkness. Respected prophetic voices – Bishop Joseph Garlington, Chuck Pierce, Cindy Jacobs, Bonnie Chavda, Rick Joyner, Barbara Yoder – all have declared a supernatural revival coming to Buffalo/Niagara. These were not ‘generic’ words, but specific. For example, Chuck Pierce prophesied the following on May 16, 2009, “You will see Buffalo some way be saved in days ahead instead of being controlled, being an outpost center of hell. It will be one of the most glorious places where the Spirit of God moves, and it will be known all over our nation that Buffalo and the waters of Niagara Falls are a sign of the River of God that has come into Buffalo.”

November 2011, Julie Meyer from International House of Prayer was leading worship at an Eagles Wings’ Conference. As she sang, God gave her a prophetic song. “Unity, unity, unity, unity (she repeated this about 20 times), the walls between the races is coming down. It won’t be black, it won’t be white, it will be two becoming one… I’m gonna start to move. I’m gonna start now. I’m gonna start to move in Buffalo. Buffalo, Buffalo… I’m gonna tame this Buffalo. It’s gonna eat right out of my hand. And something greater than just football is gonna be known in Buffalo. Unity, unity, unity, unity and Jesus Christ lifted high.”

For years we have brought together regional pastors and intercessors to intercede, worship, pray Scripture, as well as to steward these prophetic words.

Our prayers were answered and history was made at Good Friday Together when 11,000+ people gathered in the arena where the Sabres, our NHL team, play. No famous speakers or singers flown in, just some of the best and brightest from our region. Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, city, suburbs, male, female, young, old -- it looked like the Body of Christ. Each speaker and singer introduced his or her flavor to the melting pot, and the flavor was HEAVENLY!

Even though this was a unity event, the decision was made to have an altar call. Why? Because Jesus promises “May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (John 17:23b) More than 100 people came to faith in Christ!

In addition, a significant offering was taken to bless the city in the areas of sustainable housing, education, health care, and teen mentoring. The Church came together to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city…” (Jer. 29:7) The offering is our gift that will keep on giving.

Deb and I have been working to connect the regional church since 1997, leading dozens of gatherings in which we declared 'revival' and 'transformation' over the Buffalo/Niagara region. However, the genesis of Good Friday Together was four local church pastors who went to Israel together. Since returning home, they have developed friendships, golfed together, and began exchanging pulpits each December. They wanted to do something much larger and approached us about helping to promote a region-wide Good Friday service.

What was the secular media’s reporting of our event? Overwhelmingly positive!

1) Buffalo News (newspaper)

Christians gather en masse

First Niagara Center was transformed into a cathedral Friday...

2) CBS affiliate
Christians come together in Buffalo

In Buffalo, thousands of Christians packed First Niagara Center for a lively, first-of-its kind service Friday night.

<http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/buffalo/christians-come-together-in-buffalo?ref=scroller&categoryId=10023&status=true>

3) ABC affiliate

Thousands Celebrate Good Friday at First Niagara Center

<http://www.wkbw.com/news/Thousands-Celebrate-Good-Friday-at-First-Niagara-Center-200682981.html>

For a three minute recap:

<http://vimeo.com/62993776>

We estimate that at least 200 churches participated. In previous years, each of the churches would have had its own Good Friday service. If they averaged 50 people, 10,000 people would have been in separate worship services. But television cameras came to witness this watershed moment because we gathered together. Once again, we proved we are Better TOGETHER.

Earlier we mentioned the number of people who received Christ that night. Even better, words of testimony continue to pour in as to the number of regional churches that have experienced an increase in people accepting Christ in their services. As one pastor wrote, “Crazy good- on Easter Sunday we had 53

people profess Christ for the first time.” That same Sunday, two more churches recorded 10 first time professions, while a church that was unable to participate in Good Friday Together had 8. The River of God has risen, and all ships are being lifted. We believe a shift happened in the heavenlies, a dark cloud was lifted, and Unity, Unity, Unity is preparing the way for evangelism.

So what’s next? Did we witness a tipping point for our city? It would seem so. The spirit of hope is taking root, and the service continues to generate quite a buzz. One of my favorite backstories comes from my role as Chaplain for Buffalo’s chief legislative body. The Majority Leader told me that this event impacted him both personally and professionally. Visually witnessing the Arena filled with fellow believers filled him with new courage to lead boldly for Christ in his office.

What about your city? Are you a gate keeper, wall watcher, gap stander for a city? Can it be saved? It is a new season. Dust off those prophetic words. Let God renew your hope and vision. In this season of acceleration, what was impossible a short time ago may be possible now. It is time for the Church of your city to arise and shine!

ALL AMERICA SHALL BE SAVED!

"So there was great joy in that city." Acts 8:8
Revs. Al & Deb Warner are the founders and directors of Set Free Inc. Set Free is a networking ministry connecting business, governmental and church leaders for a Nehemiah-like rebuilding and transformation of our city. Al and Deb have over 30 years experience pastoring local churches and working as missionaries in Hong Kong. In 1997, God laid a burden on their heart to bring the regional church of greater Buffalo, NY, together. As they obeyed, God birthed their ministry, Set Free Inc. The Warners have led multiple prayer and training events over the years, including National Day of Prayer.

To contact them, email: info@setfreeinc.org

2013-04-18T21:29:00.002-04:00

Bishop Bill Hamon to Speak May 18 in Buffalo

2013-04-18T21:28:00.002-04:00

Sword of the Spirit Ministries on Kensington Avenue invites you to experience two powerful meetings with Dr. Bill Hamon as he releases insight and revelation into the next move of God through his prophetic message to the Church and to the region. Be empowered by the great impartation released in these services and be a part of this “great awakening”!

Dr. Bill Hamon currently serves as Bishop of Christian International Ministries Network headquartered on 5 continents. Dr. Hamon sits as an Apostolic Council leader in the International Coalition of Apostles with C.P. Wagner and is a leading voice revealing the third church reformation empowering the saints for the demonstration of the supernatural.

Find out more at www.sosmchurch.com

Eagles' Wings Announces Regional Events

2013-04-18T21:25:00.000-04:00

In the spirit that brought 13,000 together at First Niagara Center, Robert Stearns and his team at Eagles' Wings are encouraging believers to Move Forward Together with the announcement of two upcoming events including Legacy--July 18-20 with speakers including Bill Johnson and on November 18 the fourth annual Buffalo Celebrates Israel event.

Greg Laurie Calls on Americans To Join in National Day of Prayer May 2

2013-04-18T21:19:00.001-04:00

Pastor Greg Laurie, the Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer, believes that America faces a spiritual crisis. So he has issued a call to pastors and churches across the country to participate in the 62nd annual National Day of Prayer on May 2.

"If we pray, God will hear," Laurie said. "When He hears, who knows what He might do?"

Laurie, the pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., and founder of the Harvest Crusades, will join Dr. James and Shirley Dobson, Congressman Robert Aderholt and Frank Wolf, Vonette Bright, Pat Boone and other dignitaries in observing the National Day of Prayer from 9 a.m.-noon ET May 2 at the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington.

The event can be seen live on GOD TV and athttp://harvestamerica.com/. And each year, millions of Americans participate in local events. For more information about an event in your area, please visit www.nationaldayofprayer.org.

At noon, a special prayer written by Laurie will be read at various sites across the country. It says, in part: "... we see trouble in our culture today. We see the breakdown of the family, crippling addictions, and random acts of horrific violence. Lord, we need Your help in America. In recent days, we have done our best to remove Your Word and Your counsel from our courtrooms, classrooms and culture. It seems, as President Lincoln once said, that we have 'forgotten God.' But Lord, You have not forgotten us! You can bless and help and revive our country again."

The verse of Scripture specially chosen for this year's observance of the National Day of Prayer is Matthew 12:21: "In His name the nations will put their hope."

Laurie has also asked churches and other potential sites around the country to host the simulcast from Philadelphia of Harvest America on Sept. 29. Laurie will present the Gospel, and musical acts such as MercyMe, Jeremy Camp and Kirk Franklin will perform. Last year, more than 2,400 sites attracted about 300,000 in combined attendance. For more information about this year's crusade, please visit http://harvestamerica.com/.

Sponsor

2013-04-17T21:36:00.002-04:00

2013-04-10T00:20:00.002-04:00

2013-04-05T23:02:00.001-04:00

Cover Preview

2013-04-05T00:46:00.003-04:00

Good Friday Together

2013-04-05T00:35:00.002-04:00

TCT Announces New Time Warner Channel Listings

2013-04-01T10:01:00.001-04:00

Good Friday Together Recap

2013-03-30T18:04:00.002-04:00

Good Friday Together

2013-03-29T18:56:00.001-04:00

Next Issue

2013-03-24T21:38:00.003-04:00

Our next issue is planned to come out April 15, don't miss this opportunity to support the distribution of Christian literature. Contact us today to sponsor this issue as an individual, church or business. Unite is part of Prayer Collective, Inc. a non-profit ministry of missions and prayer.

AND DELIVER US FROM…RELIGION

2013-03-21T23:44:00.003-04:00

-Dr. Robert Stearns, Executive Director of Eagles' Wings

Religion promoted by man (arrogant, defiled, and impure) is insidious because it reduces the supreme loving, liberating force in the universe to a series of “oughts and “shoulds” that have no power to produce true change in a life. It sounds like a cliché, but it is true that the greatest power in the world is love. The source of pure love is God. But religion has portrayed God as a harsh, unloving taskmaster who is more concerned with actions than attitudes. God certainly does care about actions, but Scripture is crystal clear that a holy life flows out of a pure and clean heart. Jesus taught us that the sick need a doctor, not the healthy (see Luke 5:31). King David wrote, “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom” (Ps. 51:6, NKJV).

I believe the next generation will not tolerate a Christianity that is not wholly authentic. There will simply not be time or effort invested in churches or institutions that sound and look shallow and plastic. There is a tremendous anointing of discernment on this generation, even those not consciously in relationship with God. They possess an instinctive quest for the real thing. This discernment ferrets out insincerity and thirsts for the genuine.

The present church leadership, seeking survival, may decide simply to placate the faithfully attending and tithing Sunday morning crowd. But they will soon realize that the church will have no future because neither guilt nor tradition will bring the next generation to church on Sunday morning. The next generation will simply stop attending, and the church will be left with a docile, obedient, but shrinking older crowd with no generation to pass anything on to.

In the midst of this crisis, the next generation will discover Jesus.

INTIMACY WITH JESUS

The Church is coming to a place where relationship with Jesus is really all that matters.

Many aspects of Christ’s message vie for our attention. There is so much in the Word to learn! But too often, we have succumbed to focusing our attention on one aspect of Jesus’ teaching rather than on developing a relationship with the Teacher. This misplaced focus leads us to all kinds of church movements that divide and weaken us. So we have portions of the Church that focus on healing, on faith, on evangelism, on spiritual warfare. The list is endless. All these, and many other areas of focus, are valid and necessary aspects of the Christian life. But all too often, these teachings become the filter by which we define our Christian lives. Instead, we must constantly keep the plumb line of simple devotion to Jesus.

We must regularly experience the penetrating gaze of Jesus’ eyes. Through the power of His Spirit, He searches our hearts, jealous over our affection. If we do not have these times of truly experiencing Him, then anything—our ministry, our theology, all our good activities—can easily become an idol, keeping us from deep relationship with the very One we say we are serving.

A COMMUNITY OF FAITH—Serving and Loving with Humility and Sincerity

At the National Prayer Breakfast in 2012, keynoter Eric Metaxas (author of recent biographies on the lives of Wilberforce and Bonhoeffer) weighed in on the issue of dead religion and said in his speech, I Hate Dead Religion, “So finally, Jesus tells us that we must love our enemies. That, my friends, is the real difference between dead religion and a living faith in the God of the Scriptures, whether we can love our enemies.” God, deliver us from the tsunami of dead religion sweeping over major institutions and leaders in some parts of the Church today. Revive us with authentic, Christ-centered faith!

The Apostle James writes, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion isuseless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:26-27, NKJV). Simplicity of heart, speaking truth in love, humility, sincerely demonstrating love to one another and the world (friend and foe alike), fear of God, holiness, and a zeal to both proclaim and live out the Good News of Christ will mark the coming generations of godly leaders in the Church.

[Adapted from Robert Stearns’ Prepare the Way (Or Get Out of the Way!) (Destiny Image)]

Sponsor

2013-03-21T23:41:00.004-04:00

Seeking Justice in Health Care

2013-03-20T00:47:00.002-04:00

Dr. Myron Glick - A Transcription of his speech delivered at 2012 Imprint Buffalo hosted at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY

Martin Luther King in 1966 said “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane” (King Jr.). In 2012 I still see this injustice every day in our work at Jericho Road.

Many of the folks in the community served by Jericho Road are uninsured, on Medicaid or are refugees. Most are poor. Almost every day we have someone call us or walk into our office with a story that breaks your heart and that is unbelievable, but true. In a city with many eye doctors I have seen a man walk in blind because he was uninsured and could not afford to pay for cataract surgery. I have diagnosed lung cancer and have watched in dismay as my patient calmly told me he had decided not to undergo treatment because he did not want to leave his family with the hospital bill to pay. I have had to listen to a middle-aged married couple of 25 years who discussed the possibility of obtaining a divorce so that they would qualify for Medicaid and would be able to afford their medications. I have examined a man with an inguinal hernia larger than a football who refused to go to a surgeon to have it repaired because he knew he could not afford to pay the bill. I have watched a 50 year old man who is suffering from liver failure and every week his belly fills up with acidic fluid and yet he refuses to stop working because he knows if he loses his job he will be unable to afford his health insurance and then will be unable to pay for his life saving medical care.

In Erie County, where Jericho Road is located, there are over 100,000 uninsured and in America over 50,000,000 people who have no health insurance. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health in December of 2009 estimated that 45,000 people die every year in the USA simply because they lacked timely access to medical care. There is little justice in our health care system. The poor who have Medicaid insurance are often discriminated against and their access to health care is limited. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in May of 2011 examined the availability of specialty care for children with a variety of urgent medical problems. They had trained researchers pose as mothers of these sick children and call to make an appointment with the specialist. They made two calls to the same office. First, as a mom with Medicaid insurance and then as a mom with private

medical insurance. They found that 66% of callers who had Medicaid insurance were denied an appointment as compared to 11% of callers with private insurance. Even when they found a medical office who would accept Medicaid and private insurance the Medicaid caller needed to wait 22 days longer for the first appointment to the same office with the same urgent problem. This is not justice.

Injustice in health care is also illustrated by the disparity of health outcomes between the poor and the rich. Too often people living in under-resourced communities suffer from higher rates of chronic disease such as asthma, diabetes and obesity. They die younger and suffer more chronic disabilities. In these communities the social determinants of good health are strained and so the health of the people suffer. For example, In Buffalo we see higher rates of asthma in the mostly poor community that is next to the Peace bridge. This bridge has lots of truck traffic and as the trucks idle waiting to cross the bridge the exhaust fumes cause poor air quality and higher asthma rates. We see refugee children with high lead levels because they are living in old beat up houses. Obesity is common in the community we serve but playgrounds, parks and grocery stores with fresh fruits and vegetables are rarely found. Injustice and inequity in the community is a major contributing cause of the poorer health outcomes of the most vulnerable people we see every day at Jericho Road. Poverty is not good for your health. It can kill you.

I believe that the heart of God must be profoundly grieved by the injustice in our health care system.

Justice is broadly defined as the quality of acting with “fairness”, impartiality and with equality towards others. To give each person equal protection under the law. To provide each person with basic rights. The Biblical idea of justice is closely related to that of righteousness. In fact the Greek and Hebrew word for these two concepts are essentially the same. Righteousness and justice in the scriptures demand the individual person to live a life of moral uprightness and to treat others and especially the poor in a fair manner. But this concept of personal righteousness is expanded to challenge nations to also act with justice and righteousness towards others. Biblical justice is both a personal and community responsibility. Jesus acted and spoke in ways that showed His commitment to justice. By healing the sick, feeding the hungry, casting out demons, touching the leper, befriending the prostitute, walking among the poor and calling people to be His disciples His life is a vivid example to all of us about what it means to live in a just and righteous manner.

Jesus showed compassion to the poor. Jesus told stories like the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 with which he challenged the rich young ruler to “Love his neighbor as he loves himself”. In this story a man is beaten up and left for dead along the Jericho Road. First a priest and then a teacher walk by and see the man almost dead and hurry on leaving him to suffer alone. Then a Samaritan man, whose people are sworn enemies of the man who is lying half dead, passes by and instead of hurrying on he actually stops to help, puts him on his donkey and takes him to a hotel where he pays for all that the man needs to become healthy and whole again. This man, Jesus says, is the true neighbor and has acted in a just and righteous manner. Jesus asks us to “Go and do likewise”. In Luke 6:31, Jesus echoes the great saying that has been passed down through the ages that speaks to the heart of what justice is really all about: “Do to others what you would have them do to you”. To me that simply means that if my mother is sick and dying I would want her to have the very best health care available. In the same manner then I should treat every one who is in need of health care as if they were my own mother. These words of Jesus that call us to “love our neighbors” and “do unto others as we would have them do to us” are the foundation of Biblical justice.

What then should a follower of Jesus do? How can we make a difference? At Jericho Road we have tried to create a model of care that is welcoming to the poor, the uninsured, refugees and the people who are most vulnerable. This means accepting all insurances, including Medicaid and having an income based sliding scale fee schedule for uninsured patients. In 2011 69% of our patients had medicaid insurance and 12 % had no medical insurance. Our commitment to the under served means that we are determined to treat everyone with respect and to show mercy and compassion and acceptance. We are determined to provide excellent quality care even with limited resources. Our goal is to provide the same care to each patient whether they happen to be the President of the United States or a refugee who just arrived in Buffalo from a refugee camp in Kenya. We become advocates for our patients to help them navigate the health care system outside of our office. So we need to find specialists who will see our patients, obtain timely tests and services as needed. This requires great persistence on the part of our team. At Jericho Road we also have developed many programs that are designed to address the social determinants of health and combat poverty.

Programs that promote financial literacy, healthy pregnancies, preschool language development, home ownership and refugee empowerment are vitally important components of our model of care. We simply believe that this is what Jesus would do and so we are determined to do it, no matter the cost.

But what we do at Jericho Road in delivering this model of care is not enough if we are to see justice in our health care system. It is vitally important for those of us who follow Jesus to advocate for changes in this failed and unjust system. We need to figure out ways to allow the voices of the people who are suffering to be heard. Many times the people in power who make decisions, such as people in Congress, have no clue of what it is like to be sick and have nowhere to go for help, or have a painful toothache and have no access to a dentist, or see a loved one die without getting the needed care.

We must be the voice of those who cannot speak. Telling the story is a powerful way to advocate for change. We must tell the stories. It is also time to challenge the Church to care more deeply about the injustice and inequality that we see on the front lines of health care every day. Followers of Jesus meet every Sunday to worship God. Too often the leaders of the Church do not confront or even speak about the great injustices of our time. I do not imagine the Jesus Christ of the early Christian church would have been silent. Nor should we be. It is time for the Church to regain its prophetic voice and

speak out against injustice in health care. Finally, I believe it is important to advocate at a national level for systematic change. Vote for leaders who will bend the curve towards justice in health care. Advocate for policy changes that provide for health care coverage for more people, that seek to improve the communities of the poorest and most vulnerable. Speak out. You will be heard.

In the last two thousand years, followers of Jesus have courageously shown us the way to live a life that counts. The early disciples of the Christian church came from all levels of society and bravely formed a community of believers who loved each other. Basil the Great witnessed the sick being cast out of his city and left to die and so he built a refuge for the outcast and sick that society had rejected. Saint Francis of Asissi gave up great personal wealth to live among the poor. Florence Nightingale acted with great compassion as a nurse and her courage helped to found the modern hospital. William Wilberforce witnessed the atrocity of slavery and the silence of the Church and so he determined to use his influence to lead the movement to abolish slavery in England.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian who stood up against Nazi Germany while most of the rest of the Church was silent and it cost him his life. Martin Luther King was a pastor in the segregated south who had the courage to find his voice and in so doing led the Civil Rights movement and changed the course of our nation. Mother Theresa gave her life to the poor of Calcutta. These followers of Jesus all led lives of great courage and sacrifice and in so doing have bent the curve towards justice and righteousness. Now it is our time to confront with courage the great injustices of our time. May we as modern day followers of Jesus at Jericho Road stand with these saints of old and alongside the prophet Amos and work together for the day when “justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” For the day when justice and righteousness are restored in our nation’s health care system and all people are treated as if they are created in the very image of God. This is what we will continue to stand for as Jericho Road Community Health Center.

Resource Review

2013-03-20T00:35:00.000-04:00

Kirk Cameron’s fight to win America back to its roots of faith and family in his film Monumental. A must see.

All Books, Bibles, Music, Gifts, and Stationery are available at: Bender’s Parable Christian Store, located at 8550 Sheridan Drive in Williamsville, NY. Open Monday-Friday from 10:00am-9:00pm; Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm. Shop online at: www.ShopBenders.com

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2013-03-19T21:07:00.000-04:00