From Holy Cross, Portage IN

“GET IN TOUCH WITH THE COMMUNITY”—that’s an imperative as congregations change from being inwardly to outwardly focused, from being self-focused to missional in thinking and doing. Holy Cross, Portage, IN has intentionally begun the process of getting to know its ever-changing suburban Chicago community. Here’s what they’ve done: Listening Post—Community leaders including the mayor, business leaders, and school officials have accepted invitations to come to the church for open forums with community citizens and to receive the prayers of the congregation. These forums have provided the community and the congregation with the opportunity to catch the vision of community leaders—getting to know the mission field. Mission targets:

Ø School—The Portage community has recently had many people who have relocated from Mexico and have children in the public schools.

Holy Cross has gone to the school system and offered

Ø 1) ESL classes for parents and 2) their facilities as a Hispanic community center.

Ø Fire Department—The congregation has periodically served meals to the firemen at local fire stations and has provided pocket Bibles for the personnel. Pastor Engel serves as chaplain for the Portage Fire Department. The congregation also hosted a Sunday morning “Firefighter Appreciation Service” during which the fire personnel in attendance were honored.

Ø Police Department—One of this year’s Lenten suppers was a congregation take-in meal to the police officers on duty at the police station. In addition to the meal, they also received a pocket Bible.

Ø Christmas Vacation Bible School—This winter, during the Christmas vacation the congregation hosted a three-day Vacation Bible School. Over twenty children from the community attended and heard about the real meaning of Christmas, some for the first time.