en http://www.mercystreetdallas.org © Copyright 2000 - 2008Church Community Builder. All Rights Reserved. http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=53 Laura Cadena-Edison Mentor Coordinator, Laura@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x114 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:53:38 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=40 Johnny Garippa, Edison Mentor Coordinator, johnny@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x108 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:37:59 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=42 Garrett Smith, Edison Mentor Coordinator, garrett@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x105 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:37:59 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=44 Carlton Oby, LG Pinkston Mentor Coordinator, carlton@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x102 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:37:59 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=47 Jim Riley, Director of Mercy Street Sports, jim@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x110 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:37:59 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=48 Tim Hershey, Sports Ministry Coordinator, tim@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x112 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:37:59 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34&article_id=52 If you would like to contribute to the ministry, you can mail donations to:Mercy Street attn: Bill Farrell 3801 Holystone St.Dallas, TX 75212 or call 214-905-1042 x 103 about other giving opportunities. Fri, 7 Nov 2008 13:05:09 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1 Mercy Street is instilling hope for tomorrow, today. Our mission is to instill values, worth and a sense of purpose into the youth of West Dallas. By engaging in Christ-honoring, mutually transforming relationships with the children in the community we will raise up a new generation of leaders who will bring about a positive, permanent change to our community. Our strategy is simple. We place caring, Christian adults in the lives of the kids starting in 4th grade. We then ask the mentor to walk with the child through 12th grade. The job of a mentor is straight-forward, but it is not easy. The mentor will be an encourager, adviser, friend and advocate for a child who needs them. Growth occurs in both the mentor and child when done right. Mercy Street seeks to do all this to God's glory. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:27:14 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=11 The divide got personal when pastor Trey Hill left the comforts of northern Dallas for the poverty south of the Trinity River by Rod Dreher, Dallas Morning News The thing about race relations, especially in a place like Dallas, is that honesty is an orphan. The subject itself is so fraught with anxiety on all sides that people – white people, black people, brown people – retreat to familiar ways of thinking and behaving. And blaming. This retreat drives the problem underground, where it festers for generation after generation, subverting even the most reasonable attempts at reconciliation. Some whites see it like this: Yes, racism was once a terrible problem, and it's still here some degree, but minorities blame whites too much for their own problems. How do minorities expect to get ahead if they won't work hard in school, stay out of trouble, quit having children out of wedlock and keep their families together? And if they won't do that, how, exactly, is that my problem? Most whites don't wish minority communities ill. They'd like to see them succeed. But many North Dallas whites don't feel there's much they could or should do to make that happen, beyond eliminating barriers to a level playing field. And they're tired of being scapegoated for all the problems holding back a substantial portion of the minority community. (more) Thu, 1 May 2008 10:19:22 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=30 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=30&article_id=25 Mercy Street grew out of the desire to see a small pocket of poverty in Dallas-called West Dallas--transformed by the gospel. Believing that that best occurs in the context of relationship, Mercy Street started a mentoring program to address the tragedy happening in the children's lives. (Highlighting the tragedy is the academic outcomes in the community. The high school graduation rate was alarming. Of 394 students who entered Pinkston High School in the fall of 1999, only 85 were in the senior class in 2003. Only 20% of those passed the TAKS test--now required for graduation. The average SAT score was 758.) Mercy Street believes that true and lasting change is brought about by the residents of the community. Sometimes all that is needed is an infusion of hope from the outside. Following the pattern Christ established by dwelling among those he ministered to, Mercy Street seeks to be "incarnational" in its ministry efforts. Therefore, many of the employees and the Executive Director of the ministry live in the community. Mercy Street's hope is to raise children from the community to be the leaders of tomorrow. We determined that the schools needed help and that the best and only way to help the schools was to work directly with the children and reinforce the parent's efforts by engaging a caring Christian adult in the life of every child in West Dallas. The mentor is tasked with being an encourager, friend, and advisor to the child over the course of many years. In the spring of 2003, Mercy Street placed its first Mentor Coordinator at George Washington Carver and mentors were recruited from churches around the city to shepherd every child in the 4th and 5th grades of that school. At first it started slowly as the parents began to sign releases for their children to enter the program. By the end of that year 90% of the students in the 4th and 5th grades enrolled in the program. Our commitment to each school is to take on every incoming fourth grade class. To do that, Mercy Street partners with area churches who provide mentors. Park Cities Presbyterian Church birthed the ministry and remains an indispensable partner. Many other churches have since joined the effort, including Highland Park Presbyterian, Watermark Community Church, Northwest Bible Church, West Dallas Community Church, Highland Park Methodist, Grace Bible Church, and many others. We are hungry for more urban churches to help as we desire to represent the Kingdom in all of its diversity of ethnicity and socio-economic groups. Another key to our beginnings was the building the Dallas Housing Authority graciously leased to Mercy Street for $1 per year. We are proud to call the old Edgar Ward Community Center, a 25,000 square foot facility from the historic old projects, our home. The now renovated building is centrally located within 1 mile of the 5 schools that we seek to minister to. This building is now used as office and meeting space for the ministry, a church, a meeting place for the mentors and students, office space for West Dallas Young Life, and space for the Dallas Pregnancy Resource Center. Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:03:49 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33&article_id=36 The West Dallas United Soccer Club (est. 2007) is a recreational soccer league which provides children between the ages of 5-14 years the opportunity to learn and play the game of soccer. The goal of WDU is to teach the global sport of soccer, creating an environment that is fun for every child involved and challenging them to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for learning the game. In addition, our coaches will use soccer as a vehicle to instruct kids in wisdom, develop character and teach teamwork and discipline. Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:51:55 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=32 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=32&article_id=35 The West Dallas Little League (est. 2006) is a member of Little League baseball. The league provides children between the ages of 5-14 years the opportunity to learn the basic fundamentals of baseball while promoting fun, safe and competitive environment for kids of every level of ability. This past year we had 14 teams participating in all age divisions from tee ball to Juniors. Click here for more information. Mon, 10 Sep 2007 12:08:20 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=49 Tracy Henry, Facilities Manager, tracy@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x114 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:53:36 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=29 Hannah Garippa, Edison Mentor Coordinator, hannah@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x109 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:50:04 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=45 Carolina Mordasini, Christian Education Director, carolina@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x111 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:49:23 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=39 Jacque Lacy, Sequoyah Mentor Coordinator, jacque@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x107 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:48:53 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=38 Annie Roberson, GW Carver Mentor Coordinator, annie@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x 101 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:48:31 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=43 Mindy Smith, Office Manager, mindys@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x100 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:48:06 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=28 Bill Farrell, Director of Development, bill@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:46:13 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=23 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=23&article_id=31 Vision Kids is our elementary school-aged mentoring program and the first step in a long-term mentoring relationship. For the first two years of the program the goal is simple, but not always easy to attain--to establish a loving, trusting relationship between the mentor and student. To help facilitate this our mentor coordinators for each school spend time interacting with the faculty, staff, family and students to be a conduit of information to the mentor. We also plan fun, engaging monthly events for the mentors and students to participate in. Typically, we meet one month in the community for a speaker and a meal and the next month we do something fun outside of the community. As the students progress through school they will graduate along with their mentor to our VK2 program in middle school and then our College Bound program in High School. Sat, 8 Sep 2007 15:31:29 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=19 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=19&article_id=10 Mercy Street Sports exists to compliment the efforts of the mentoring program and to expand the kingdom of heaven by using sports as a tool of gospel outreach to the community. The goal is to provide the children of West Dallas with individual and team sports opportunities which will assist in the child's physical, spiritual, and mental growth by teaching Christian ethics and values which are founded upon Jesus Christ. We currently run the West Dallas Little League, and beginning in the fall of 2007 we will start a West Dallas United soccer league. Sat, 8 Sep 2007 14:52:12 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=28 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=28&article_id=23 Mercy Street is a movement. We are a group of Christians who desire to see God glorified and the neighborhood of West Dallas transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. By intentionally engaging in the lives of the "orphans and widows" in our city, we seek to put flesh on the redemptive message of the gospel and all the rich implications of life in Christ. Jesus ministry was in word and deed. Sometimes he preached. Sometimes he performed miracles. Often times he did both. Righteous Words and righteous works made up the sum of Jesus message. We recognize the physical needs as well as the spiritual needs of our community. And we desire to offer hope and healing to both. We believe that salvation is more than just a ticket to heaven. It is the freedom and power to live out God's call to make His name known in the earth. When God commanded Adam to "fill the earth and subdue it " in Gen. 1:28, he gave him a mandate to increase the boundaries of the Garden, bringing order out of chaos. The job was made exceedingly more difficult when sin entered the world, but the job did not change. It remains our job today. At Mercy Street, we prayerfully work together to push back against the thorns and thistles that have taken root in West Dallas so that God's Kingdom reign might be evident. Urban decay points to spiritual decay. As Christians it is our delightful responsibility to enter into the dark places of the world and let the light of Christ shine. Light always repels darkness. Join the movement and shine the light of Christ in our community. Sat, 8 Sep 2007 14:33:25 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14&article_id=14 Relationship is at the heart of the ministry of Mercy Street. Rather than being event or program driven, we put a premium on engaging in relationships with the children of West Dallas and their families. We do that through our mentoring programs:Vision KidsVK2College Bound We do programs and events at Mercy Street, but they are intended to enhance and serve the relationships between the children and their mentors. Some of the programs that we run are:Mercy Street Sports Bible ClubsSummer Camps Sat, 8 Sep 2007 14:31:55 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=27 Trey Hill, Executive Director, trey@mercystreetdallas.org 214-905-1042 x106 Wed, 5 Sep 2007 11:04:07 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=16 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=16&article_id=9 We want to ensure that the gospel is being heard. To do that we do weekly Bible clubs for each of the age groups--elementary school through high school.. We partner with West Dallas Young Life to do the middles school and High school clubs. Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:58:54 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=25 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=25&article_id=33 College Bound Program is geared to prepare young people for their next phase in life--whether that is college or a career. We see this happening through Education, Exposure and Encouragement. Education College bound educational programs will supplement and enhance what is being offered through the public school system. Some of the programs that we hope to offer are:TAKS TutoringSAT PreparationCollege 101Money ManagementCareer Development InstituteAbstinence SeminarsEtiquette Workshops Exposure It is our belief that through broadening the minds of our students we afford them power to dream and dare to become what they would other wise not. Unfortunately, many of the students in the West Dallas community have never been outside of the city limits. Also, many are not aware of the diverse opportunities that are present in the city around them. It is our hope that by enlightening our students to the world around them, it will allow them to dream and to be able to live in harmony with their neighbors.Career Expos College Fairs/ToursMy Heritage/Culture Celebration and AppreciationOther Field Trips Encouragement More than anything, students at the high school level need a constant sense of support, affirmation and accountability. We see this being played out in the areas of:Life MentorsCareer Mentors (The Network)Weekly Bible StudyBi-Monthly Fellowship Activities and EventsIncentives for Excellence Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:18:05 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=17 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=17&article_id=37 As part of our strategy, we take kids summer camp. The goal is to take the children out of West Dallas to beautiful places in God's creation so they can have uncluttered eyes and hears to see and hear from God. Wed, 1 Aug 2007 16:29:48 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=20 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=20&article_id=34 More Sunday School than hyped Club event, Vision Life is a weekly time of games, singing and Bible lessons for the elementary-aged school kids. The goal is to expose children to the stories of the Bible and the gospel message becuase so many of our kids are not in church. Wed, 1 Aug 2007 16:16:01 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=24 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=24&article_id=32 Coming soon. Wed, 1 Aug 2007 15:55:51 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=15 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=15&article_id=30 Mentoring (or discipling) is the foundation of what we do at Mercy Street. We place mentors with the children in the public schools in West Dallas, starting in the 4th grade. Believing that we need to capture the hearts and minds of the children early, we make all of our "matches" in elementary school and ask the mentor to walk with the student through high school. Jesus established the mentoring model with his disciples and they in turn replicated it. The apostle Paul took to heart the call to invest himself in others as evidences particularly through his relationship with Timothy. Here is Paul's mentoring plan for the church in Thessalonica: But we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (I Thes. 2:7-8, 11-12) So this is the plan we follow to make Christ's name known in West Dallas and hopefully to see a lasting transformation occur. In addition to the mentoring relationship, we also provide many other activities to supplement the relationship. We do weekly Bible Clubs. We run sports leagues. We take the kids to summer camps around the country. Wed, 1 Aug 2007 15:55:48 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=27 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=27&article_id=19 "And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." -Matt. 22:39 I have always found that phrase "as yourself" somewhat curious. How about you? Having taken some time to consider Jesus true meaning, I think this phrase is also very misunderstood. Let me explain. What we have come to believe about self-love is not what Jesus is talking about. The admonition here is not to have a healthy self-image--to think highly of oneself so that you can then give love to others. Instead, what Jesus is talking about here is something far more basic and instinctual and stronger. It is something that everyone has. At birth every person possesses an instinct for self-preservation and a desire for happiness. It is one of the strongest motivators for all that we do in life and in itself is not evil. Self-image is fragile, self-love is powerful. Let's take a look at what I mean, and I think what Jesus means here. When we are hungry we seek food to eat. When we are thirsty we seek to quench our thirst. That is the instinct for self-preservation and it is good and right and God-given. The desire for happiness can be an equally strong driver in our lives. And it too is good and right and God-given. It is also very dangerous. Let me tell you about a favorite book of mine to illustrate the point. The book is Sowbelly: The Obsessive Quest for the World Record Largemouth Bass, and in it the author chronicles the lives of men who have dedicated their lives to pursuing the world record bass. The pages are filled with often tragic tales of men who have lost families and fortunes trying to catch (or grow and catch) the most coveted record in sport fishing-the Largemouth Bass. These men are so consumed by the chase that they lose all sense of perspective. It sounds silly to us that someone would risk literally everything for something ultimately so quixotic. But we all do it to some degree, don't we? Because we have distorted desires, we will pursue with great passion what we think will bring us joy. Whether money, power, sex, ease and comfort, food, or even bass fishing, people will give their lives seeking that which they think will make them happy. That is self-love gone awry. It is self-love that has forgotten the greatest commandment to love God first and foremost and to seek your joy in Him. Now back to the verse we are looking at. Jesus instructs us to "love our neighbors as ourselves." That is, love our neighbors with the same instinctive, passionate drive that motivates us to self-preservation and self-fulfillment. To what degree do you desire food? Desire it equally for your neighbor, Jesus says. To what degree do you desire safety? Desire it equally for your neighbor. To what degree do you desire a good education for your children? Desire it equally for your neighbor. Jesus exemplified this type of love. John 15:13 says, "No greater love does any man have he who lays down his life for a friend." Jesus saw his mission clearly. He was motivated by an unflinching love for the father, and because of that he willingly laid down his life for his friends-those the Father had given to Him. God has gifted us with 400 little neighbors in West Dallas and that number continues to grow. Do we love them as Jesus loves us? Or as he commands us to love our neighbors? I struggle to offer such love because I allow the worries of life to choke out my love and concern for others. I pray that as we journey together in mentoring these kids that we can all grow in love for God and for our neighbors. Jesus' demand is radical and unnatural in our flesh. But if we pursue our First Love passionately, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength then the love of neighbor will naturally begin to flow. Wed, 1 Aug 2007 15:33:15 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29&article_id=24 1. There is one living and true God, infinitely perfect in glory, wisdom, holiness, justice, power and love, one in His essence but eternally existing in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God sovereignly created the world out of nothing, so that His creation, while wholly dependent upon Him, neither compromises part of God, nor conditions His essential perfection. 2. The books which form the canon of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. 3. God created man in His own image, in a state of original righteousness, from which man subsequently fell by a voluntary revolt, and consequently is guilty, inherently corrupt and subject to divine wrath. 4. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, became man without ceasing to be God by uniting to His divine nature a true human nature in His incarnation, and so continues to be both God and man, in two distinct natures and one person, forever. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, exhibited His deity by manifold miracles, fulfilled the requirements of the Law by His sinless life, shed His blood as a vicarious and propitiatory atonement for man's sin, was resurrected from the dead in the same body, now glorified. He ascended into heaven and now intercedes in glory for His redeemed as our great high priest and advocate, and as the Head of the Church and Lord of the individual believer. 5. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, through the ministry of regeneration and sanctification applies salvation and places believers into the Church, guides and comforts God's children, indwells, directs, gifts and empowers the Church in godly living and service in order to fulfill the Great Commission, and seals and keeps the believer until Christ returns. 6. Every man, regardless of race or rank, who receives the Lord Jesus Christ by faith is born into the family of God and receives eternal life. This occurs solely because of the grace of God and has no ground in human merit. 7. The Holy Church is the one institution specifically ordained of God to function in the furthering of the Kingdom until Christ comes again. It consists of all those regenerated by the Spirit of God, in mystical union and communion both with Christ, the head of the Body, and with fellow-believers. Neighborhood congregations are the local manifestation of the Church universal. In obedience to the command of Christ, these congregations preach the word of God, equip God's people for the work of ministry, and administer the Lord's Supper and Baptism. 8. The Lord Jesus Christ will return bodily, visibly and personally to receive His own, to conform believers to His own image and to establish His kingdom forever. He will judge the quick and the dead and will effect a final separation of the redeemed and the lost, assigning unbelievers to eternal punishment and believers to eternal glory, enjoying conscious fellowship with Him. 9. Man's chief end in life is to glorify God. Personal salvation is a means to this end. Mon, 23 Apr 2007 10:16:18 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=22 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=22&article_id=21 High School outreach in partnership with Young Life. Mon, 5 Mar 2007 11:24:25 MST http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=21 http://www.mercystreetdallas.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=21&article_id=20 Middle school Bible Club outreach in partnership with Edison. Mon, 5 Mar 2007 11:23:38 MST