Words of a Houston's tranformation warrior...

May 30th, 2008

Community Transformation, Paul Harvey and "The Rest of the Story"
by Brian Gowan

The greater Houston area has been blessed over the years by many leaders from various parts of the world who have witnessed God's transforming work through a united, praying, serving Church. During this time, I have been blessed and challenged to hear (that famed Paul Harvey line) "The rest of the story..." from leaders in Uganda, Columbia, Fiji, Indonesia, India and other parts of the world. Their stories have instructed and inspired me, as a hopeful witness of community transformation.

Many books, and documentaries detailing unfolding stories of transforming revival have been produced at the end of long, hard fought years of large numbers of Christians doing things we'd all rather not do like: Repent. Prefer others above ourselves. Ask God to bless pastors and leaders from other stripes and streams. Change our life-style so that we live sacrificially and give ourselves regularly to the disenfranchised and powerless. Pray and develop a heart and life-style of prayer. Persevere and develop a heart impermeable to offense.

Tried and true transformational leaders both scare me and challenge me. To sit with them during a meal or listen to them pour their heart out during a community gathering typically leaves me echoing the words of young Mary in Luke's gospel when she responds to an awesome calling in her life by saying "How can this happen?"

It has been eleven years since I attended a life-altering three and a half day Pastor's Prayer Summit just outside of our city.  The 175 Houston area pastors and leaders reflected the diversity of our city. Since that time, I have become more convinced regarding the way the road to community transformation is paved. For me, II Chronicles 7:14 still describes the calling and desired outcomes of a people who desire community transformation clearer than any verse in the bible:

  "If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land."

· A transformational person must be living out of a transformed life-style as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Luke offers the word "daily" when referring to our call to carry our crosses in life.

· Personal and united, fervent prayer is always at the core of every transformational movement. Effective prayer is a call for Christians to a life set apart to God, a life filled with holiness and humility.

· Christian unity, a commitment to pray and work together and reaching out to the disenfranchised are common traits of transforming communities and cities.

John Mulinde, a remarkable transformational leader from Kampala, Uganda tells a compelling story many years ago of a call for the Church of Kampala to work and pray together, and to contend for God's destiny for their nation. In a dream, the Lord showed John a vision of the nation of Uganda at the bottom of a lake formed in concrete shape of the nation of Uganda. John tried in the dream to pull his nation wrapped in fishing net from the bottom of the lake by himself. His efforts were to no avail. In John's struggle, the Lord spoke clearly and said
 
"The work I want to do cannot be done through just one congregation. What I want to do in your nation will take many partners. Go get your partners!" 

A similar command was given to Jesus' followers in chapter 5 of Luke's gospel. Because of the obedience of leaders and believers - especially in Southern Uganda, a transformation story is unfolding to the glory of God. One of the powerful signs of Uganda's transformation is a radical reduction of the HIV/AIDS virus over many years from 30% to just 6%! A uniting, serving, praying Church has been at the core of this amazing story.

So why not the transformation of greater Houston? To this question, many hundreds and thousands are declaring: "Why not?" May the call of God to the Christians in our communities from II Chronicles 7:14 woo us deeper into the heart of Jesus in ways that will transform us by His presence and join us in united service. You can do this where you live as you:

· Join other Christians in your community to pray and develop a united community transformation CSA team. If there is no team in your community, offer to start one!

· Join hundreds across our city this Fall who are committed to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children by becoming a mentor through Mission Houston.

· Join hundreds of leaders this November as international transformational leaders will be coming to Houston for the Transform World 2008 conference to tell stories, and share insights and offer encouragement regarding how God is accelerating His work in India, Africa, Korea, Indonesia and other nations.

Watch, pray and get involved as we look to God to tell "the rest of the story" in our lives, in our communities, and across our city!

Effective on June 1st, 2008, Brian Gowan has resigned to his position at Mission Houston staff. We are deeply grateful for the years Brian has served with us, and we hope for the best for him and his family in his new challenge. We are sure we will keep partnering in the transformation of the city. Brian, you are a great friend, and a fine and admirable servant of God. We miss you! (Read entry on Jim Herrington's Blog about Brian Gowan)

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