Some ask why

"Why?" "Have you ever been there?"  "The state has regulations because of what happens in Milwaukee!"  Those have been the kind of responses I have gotten from people when I've told them that we are praying about planting a church in Brew City.  (The comment about regulations came from a social worker and a teacher).  So, why Milwaukee?  


Besides the obvious, that is, proximity to the Brewers, Badgers and Packers, two main criteria stood out to us.  First, Milwaukee is an urban center of more than 500,000.  (More on that later this summer).  Second, Milwaukee is in need of a church planting movement but does have a number of churches that can make that happen.    


There are a number of great, gospel centered churches in Milwaukee and they've been a huge support to us in this process.  But even still there is a significant need for a gospel witness in that city.  By my research, Milwaukee has around four churches affiliated with Converge World Wide, two others with the Gospel Coalition (FCC's affiliations) and one more with Acts 29 (the other organization that I would intend to partner with).  That's good, but it's not enough.  


Milwaukee is also filled with opportunity. The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is located just west of the city.  The Milwaukee metro area is home to nearly 30 college campuses with over 185,000 students.  (Thanks for the stats cru!) The combination of post-secondary education and career opportunities makes Milwaukee a prime location for people who are looking to make a difference with their lives.       


But Milwaukee isn't just filled with opportunities, it's also filled with pain.  I believe that God wants to use His church to bring peace and healing to this broken world.  And Milwaukee is a broken city.  


Here's a snap-shot of the pain of Milwaukee.  (Hat tip to City on a Hill for these stats)  

• Milwaukee is the 4th poorest city in the United States
• 41% of the children in Milwaukee are living in poverty
• 42% of people that are homeless are families with children
• 2 out of 3 babies are born to single mothers
• More babies die in Milwaukee than in any other city in the nation. 
• 54% of families earn less than $15,000 a year
• Milwaukee has one of the highest black male jobless rate in the USA 
• More extreme-poverty neighborhoods than LA, NYC, Detroit, or Washington DC.
• Milwaukee is one of the top 5 drug infested cities in America

When I look at these numbers, I can almost hear the heart of God break.  And that moves me.  I don't know what God's intentions are for us, but I firmly believe that God is moving His Church to BE the church wherever they are.  Jesus offered proof that He was God by saying that at His hand "the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them".  Jesus served AND preached the gospel.  He makes disciples who plant the church.  I believe that God is moving His church to follow His example.  No one church can serve this city with the fullness that the gospel offers.  But as more like-minded churches partner together to serve, more  people will see that God is on the move and that He is FOR them.

Our hope is that through our experience this summer we will be able to see these stats in person, and through that, gain the faith necessary to trust God as He shows us our next step.  So why Milwaukee?  Well, some ask "why," I ask, "why not?!"