A little over a month ago, a good friend of mine sent me some links which directed my attention to the work and revitalization that is taking place in Detroit. Enclosed with his message was a brief note about how these documentaries had stirred him. After viewing, I understand why. The stories are moving – tales of beauty from ashes and a testimony to the resiliency and ingenuity of the human spirit.

Personally, I was very excited to see some of the creativity blossoming amidst the blight and ruin. I found myself resonating with desire to take something that is aesthetically displeasing, and from it, create something beautiful.

At the same time I was grieved by what I heard and saw. Not just because of the pain and hardships that remain, but because of the apparent lack of the gospel in what is happening within Detroit. That is not to say that the gospel is no where present in Detroit, I know that not to be the case. Still, there is a need for more; especially among the young and creative.

There where two lines that stood out to illustrate such a need. The first is when one business owner declared that “Detroit doesn’t need saviors… we need entrepreneurs, artists, do-it-yourself’ers, and thinkers.” Another gentleman said that “it’s the perfect opportunity for the American Dream to be realized… that something can come out of nothing.”

I believe and hope that they will be successful in their endeavors. I be will rejoice at what God has enabled those in Detroit to accomplish through common grace. The language used, on the other hand, speaks to man’s achievement as an autonomous being – independent of creator and outside of any need for salvation. There is little talk of the corrupt and sinful nature of man which has brought about such a tragedy in the first place.

All of humanity is in need of grace. We are fallen and sinful. Often we are blinded to the extent of our indwelling sin and our need of rescue. The playing field is leveled. This is true whether you are an upstart entrepreneur or innovative artist in Detroit or an corporate executive living in Manhattan – even the middle class Joe who lives a quiet life in the suburbs. We need the gospel preached to bring us to the end of ourselves and point us toward our need for redemption. We need to recognize our need for a savior who has enacted a plan of revitalization and restoration and offers eternal life in a new heavens and new earth.

It is my hope and prayer that church planters will be called to Detroit, both from within and from abroad, who will live, dwell, and plant the gospel within these communities as they join in their labor of revitalization. Ultimately, it is my hope that the transformation that ensues from these efforts would be all of grace and all to the glory of God as men and women in the city of Detroit join God in the renewal of all things.

Here are is the exploration produced by Palladium Boots. If you are one who is offended by foul language, please proceed with caution. If you find yourself interested in partnering with a church plant in the city of Detroit, Act 29 candidate, Mike Hanafee would be a good person to contact. I have included some of his information at the bottom of this post.

Detroit Lives: An Exploration from Palladium Boots

Pastor: Mike Hanafee
Church: Restore Church
City: Detroit, MI
Contact Info: mikehanafee@resdetroit.org
Facebook: Church - Restore Church, Pastor - Mike Hanafee
Twitter: Church - @resdetroit, Pastor - @mikehanafee