Taking It to the Streets

Taking It to the Streets
Christian Ministries find their way into theatres, coffeehouses and even bars to reach downtown communities.

Around the holidays, even the busiest downtown district can absorb and reflect a little holiday cheer. I'm not talking about the massive, commercialized, buy now pay-pay later Christmas concept. I'm talking about the; do onto others, thought that counts, lend a helping hand, spirit of Christmas that makes the whole thing somehow worth while. This sentiment is what has brought Chad Zucker to the Hideout coffeehouse, bar and theatre in downtown Austin, Texas. He is a Christian pastor for Austin City Life, and part of a new wave of ministers who are seeking out condo dwelling downtown residents on secularly unfamiliar ground.

The belief is that "the church goes to the city. The city does not go to the church," says Pastor Jonathan Dodson, who started Austin City Life and hired Zucker. Dodson is part of a church planting network of about 40 members who seek to spread to word of God throughout the city. Similar efforts have been made in places like Seattle and Minneapolis. They are succeeding he says, by reaching out to people, promoting advocacy for the cities homeless, and facilitating a relationship with God and community  in a manner that doesn't intimidate newcomers. Mike Hailey, 56, happened to stroll past one of these services on his morning walk. He inquired about the event, not expecting to hear the word "church," he checked it out for himself. Now, he attends regularly and explains that "once (he) attended church there, it was hard to imagine not going back."