What happens when the local church pairs up with the non-Christian mayor for the purpose of serving the city? Kevin Palau of the Luis Palau Association joins us to share this incredible story out of his new book, .
Kevin starts by explaining the verse he chose to open the conversation – Jeremiah 29:7.
“Rather than fighting, rather than complaining, can we obey what God told the people of Israel in exile? He said ‘Seek the shalom.’ What does it look like for believers in modern day without compromising to live out the gospel where we live?”
Kevin shares what happened when he and other believers approached the city officials in Portland, Oregon, and asked how they might serve and ease the needs of the city. The mayor at the time, Sam Adams, named several main areas that needed attention.
Public schools
Foster care system
Homelessness
Health care
Kevin went to work, along with 30,000 other believers in Portland, and built a strong partnership with Portland to improve the state of the city.
How do we start this?
It starts with love. We can be joyful in finding common ground first, then moving to areas of disagreement based on Scripture.
“Loving your community is a great thing to do. Be salt and light! People will see these good works and glorify God.”
Where is the line between loving those who don’t know Christ and compromising to be with them?
“I believe sharing the gospel is important. But common sense would say there is a way that we can demonstrate love. I will pray for opp to boldly witness. But that doesn’t mean I’m compromising my beliefs by not sharing [the gospel] every time. Trying to understand each other better is not compromise.”
Kevin calls for unity.
“As we operate as one, it opens hearts and minds to the gospel. There’s something about unity expressed in the body that helps soften hearts to the gospel. When you experience it like we are in Portland, it’s a joy.”
Key Scriptures: Jeremiah 29:7; Luke 10:27
Theme Song: No One Like Our God by Matt Redman
