On February 28th, 2016, Legacy Servant Leadership Team met with over forty community members to ask what the needs were of those that we live and work among and how we could help. We shared our unique pasts and experiences that had led us to this point and a vision for empowering all people of southwest Springfield through the story of Jesus Christ and the relationship aspect of His love for all.
We recognized the generational cycles of poverty, the drug abuse that plagues our streets, and the reality that our neighbors, loved ones, and friends may feel voiceless and invisible in the daily struggle to exist. Hoping to lay the ground work for many community meetings to come, after a short time of sharing the servant-leadership team's own vision of how we could be part of the solution rather than adding to the problems, we asked those in attendance to talk about their concerns and suggestions. To love well always requires sacrifice, but we believe strongly that God has plans to prosper a nation and OUR community. (Jeremiah 29)
Below are the handouts we distributed:
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"I Have a Dream"- Legacy Community Development
Why Legacy?
* A vision for breaking generational cycles
Generational sins/cycles, lies believed, life hurts, oppression
*A life well lived invests in a better life for those who come behind us- "May those who come behind us find us faithful"
*A commitment to multi-generational living
Why Community Development?
*At its best, the community, "Family", lives life together. Much has happened to divide and isolate us. We need to identify these barriers/ obstacles and be a family again- personally responsible for our individual lives and deeply committed to each other.
*Breathing hope and life into a community will not happen accidently.
Development requires us to be intentional and put some "skin in the game."
Key areas of focus:
1) Connection and Collaboration
Create pathways to current services
Create pathways to connect w/ each other & build relationships
2) Education and Activities
Create ownership opportunities via education
Create opportunities for our community to be active together
(playgrounds, social gatherings, etc.)
3) Church Life- Gathering Place
Prayer & Praise, Truth and Love/Grace/ Mercy
None of us can do this alone!
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The second handout asked for feedback on five significant components. Including optional areas to share what resources and abilities each one brought to the table and contact information if those individuals wanted to be contacted on the progress and potential utilization of their abilities/resources.
1) What services do you think the people of southwest Springfield need (Financial, Food banks, clothing, recovery meetings, jobs, literacy, tutoring)? List as many as you can!
2) What are the barriers or obstacles that are hindering southwest Springfield?
3) What are some activities or spaces that we can develop that would help us get to know each other and build stronger relationships and a more caring community?
4) What informal classes/ educational opportunities do we need to provide/ take advantage of?
5) Do you think our community will "Give Church a Chance"? Why or why not?
