Externally Focused Progress

Over the past year North Way has been attempting to become more externally focused.  I've been fortunate to be a part of the team that is implementing these strategies church-wide, and we're really starting to see some incredible results.  One example is that this year we're intentionally directing our Christmas Blessings outreach away from just "money and things" to "relationships."  This looks like what happened this morning, when I met a small group in North Way's parking lot to drive to a Homewood family's house in order to drop off gifts the group had purchased for the family.  When we entered the house, one of the small group members really connected with a 12 year old girl over a dance video that she was watching on TV.  A great conversation ensued, as it turns out both the group member and the girl were both passionate about dancing.  The family was extremely grateful for the gifts, but more than that, new relationships were developed.  The whole experience was powerful for both the givers and the recipients.  In the past, this exchange wouldn't have happened because the small group would have dropped the gifts off at the church for the family to pick up without meeting them.  It's great to see these new strategies panning out.  We also saw this happen earlier this year with the Harvest Party and LAMP at North Way Oakland.