The Power of Proximity Study Guide - InterVarsity Press · The Power of Proximity Study Guide Page 1 ... But part of this journey ... “A true revolution of values will soon cause

Foreword by N O E L C A S T E L L A N O S

S t u d y G u i d e

ivpress.com

ThePowerofProximityStudyGuide Page1

ThePowerofProximityStudyGuideForIndividualorGroupUse

AuthorMichelleWarreninvitesyoudeeperintoherstoryandencouragesyoutothinkaboutmovingpastawarenesstowardlivingproximatelivesontheJerichoRoad.Youmayalreadybeawareofwhat’shappeninginthenews,ofsystemicissuesthatimpactmarginalizedcommunities,andofthegreaterhistoricalcontextwhichaffectsourcurrenteventstoday.Ifyouarenotaware,weencourageyoutostartlearninginthoseareas.Butpartofthisjourneytowardsproximatelivingalsoinvolveslisteningtopeople’sstories,engagingwithpeopleyoumaynotnormallytalkto,andgettingtoknowthempersonally.BegintopushbeyondthefamiliarintoanewwayofseeingtheworldandaskinghowweasChristiansaretoengageit,andourhopeisthatthisdiscussionguidewillhelpyoutodoso.

Chapter1:BecomingProximate

“AsChristianswemustnotsimplysettleforawarenessofthebrokenpeopleonroadsfaraway.Instead,weasthechurchmustmovetogethertowardaproximate,informedresponsethatmovestowardthealleviationofinjustice.”(p.16)

Inordertoseekawareness,embraceproximity,andleanintothelifeofjustice,wemustconstantlybepayingattentiontowhoweare,whatwebring,whywereactthewaywedo,andwhatourhistoryis.Ifwecancultivatethisself-awarenessandhumilityitwillallowustofurtherembraceother’sstoriesandseeourownroleintheroadtojustice.

ReflectionandDiscussionQuestions:

1. Learningaboutthosewhomightbedifferentfromyouhelpstodeepenyourselfunderstanding.Considerthisquestion:whoareyou?Howwouldyoudescribeyouridentityandwhatfactorshaveshapedit?

2. Thinkaboutyourrace,gender,ethnicity,religion,primarylanguage,ability,socio-economicstatus,educationlevel,andsexualorientation.Howdothesespecificaspectsofyouridentityinfluencehowyouinteractwithothers?

3. Whatarethestereotypesyouholdofthe“other?”Whydoyouthinkyouhavethosestereotypes?Isthereroomforadifferentnarrativeandperspective?(Forfurthergrowth:readauthors,blogs,andnewsarticlesfrompeoplewhoidentifyinthe“other”group.Seehowyourperspectivechangesasyoulistentoothersstoriesandlearnhowtheyseetheworld.)


4. Haveyouhadavision-broadeningexperience?Amissionstriporopportunitytotraveleitherdomesticallyorinternationallytoadifferentculturalcontext?Whatdidyoulearnfromit?

5. Doweordowenotseethechurchvaluingtheimagodeiinpeople,andifnot,whatcanwedotochangethisinourchurchcontext?

6. Whatdoesrootednesslooklikeinourgeneration?Isitsomethingweneedtoreclaimandifso,whatdoesthatlooklike?

“Youdon'tthinkyourwayintoanewkindofliving.Youliveyourwayintoanewkindofthinking."

-HenriNouwen

Chapter2:DeeperandHigher

“Atruerevolutionofvalueswillsooncauseustoquestionthefairnessandjusticeofmanyofourpastandpresentpolicies.Ontheonehand,wearecalledtoplaytheGoodSamaritanonlife’sroadside,butthatwillbeonlyaninitialact.OnedaywemustcometoseethatthewholeJerichoRoadmustbetransformedsothatmenandwomenwillnotbeconstantlybeatenandrobbedastheymaketheirjourneyonlife’shighway.Truecom-passionismorethanflingingacointoabeggar.Itcomestoseethatanedificewhichproducesbeggarsneedsrestructuring.—MartinLutherKing,Jr.”(p.41)


1. Thinkaboutatimesomeonehaschallengedasocialconstructinyourlife.Whendidyourperspectiveshiftbasedonhearinganewstory,seeingsomethingfromadifferentpointofview,simplyengaginginadifferentway?

2. Whatisasocialconstructyouholdtightlytonowthatyoudon’teverforeseechanging?Whatarewaysinwhichyoucandemonstratealisteningposturetoothersthatseedifferently?

3. Howhavetheplaceswhereyouhavelivedshapedyourtheology?Aretherecertainpracticesandrulesthatyoulivebybutmayormaynotbe“truth?”

4. Doyouthinkonepoliticalpartyismoremorallygroundedthantheother,andifso,why?

5. Howmuchisapersonresponsibleonlyforhim-orherself,andhowmuchdoeseachpersonbearsomecommunalresponsibility?


6. Whatisyourresponsetothestatement:“Inessence,God’sjusticerecognizesthatthepoorneedspecialattention.Thepoorneedtoberestoredtotheirproductiveplacesothatthecommunitycanmoveforwardtogether.Iftheyareunabletomoveforward,weasagentsofGod’sjusticearenotdoingwhatwearecalledtodo”(p.29).DoyoufeelthatthebiblicalteachingsyouhaveabsorbedresonatewithGodgivingspecialattentiontothepoor?Ifnot,howwouldacceptingthisteachingpotentiallyhaveanimpactonyou?

7. Immigrationandgentrificationaretwoexamplesofsystemicinjusticementionedinthechapter.Whatmanifestationsofsystemicinjusticehaveyouencounteredorwitnessed,andhowhavethoseexperiencesshapedyourperspective?

8. Whathasparticipatinginindividual,social,andsystematicrestorationmeantthusfarinyourexperienceasaChristian?

“Friendshipwithpeoplewholiveonthemarginsofthelargersociety,whoaregenerallyfeared,excludedoroverlooked,invitesustoreconsiderthemeaningandpracticeofmission.Manyof

thesefolksdwellinwhathavebeencalled“over-evangelized,under-Christianized”communities.TheyhaveheardlotsaboutJesus,buthaven’toftenseenhim.Whencommunitieshavebeensaturatedwithmissionalactivitybutthegoodnewshasnotbeenembodiedinaconsistent

presenceofloveandconcern,folksknowthattheyhavebeentargetsofonemoreprogram.Andmostofusresentbeing“targets,”nomatterhowwellintentionedtheeffortmightbe.”

(FriendshipsattheMargins,ChristineD.Pohl&ChristopherL.Heuertz)

Chapter3:EmbracingBrokenness

“AsaChristianjusticeadvocate,Itellpeoplethatyoucannotjourneyalongsidebrokenpeopleifyoudon’trecognizeyourownbrokenness.Therealityisthatallpeoplearebroken.Brokennesshasawayofrevealingbrokenness”(p.45).

“Acommitmenttosocialjusticeministryandrestorativeactionwillrevealthatwearenottheoneswhocanfixproblems.Wearesimplytheoneswhosharethejourney,offeringwhatwehaveandallowingGodtotransformusintheprocess”(p.51).


1. Haveyoueverbeenaroundpeoplewhoseemasthoughtheyhaveitalltogether?Howeasyisittoopenuptothemandtrustthemwithyourownneeds?

2. Incontrast,howdoesitfeeltosharewithpeoplewhoarevulnerableandabletoshareboththegoodandthebad,whocansitwithpainandnottryandchangeitorfixit?


3. Whatareexamplesinwhichyouhaveexperiencedpeopleauthenticallysharingpainwithyou?Whatisyournaturaltendencywhensomeonecomestoyouinpain?Areyouinclinedtoa)offersolutions;b)say,“Godisgood,itwillbeok,”or3)simplylistenandcreatespaceforsuffering?

4. Onpage50,weseeinPhilippians2howChristemptiedhimselfofprivilegeandperfectiontoshareinsolidaritywiththepoorandthesufferingintheworld.WhatdoesthatlooklikeforChristians?Foryou?

5. HaveyouseenGodusebrokennessinyourownlifetomakeyoumoreeffective?Whathasitbeenliketocometoanawarenessofyourownbrokenness?

6. Towhatextenthaveyouexperiencedtheemotionsdescribedinthepassagebelow:“Thecloserwegettothepainofothers,thebiggerandmoreunfixabletheirproblemsseem.Theprospectofdealingwiththeseproblemsisscary.It’sscarybecausewedon’thavemuchtoofferintermsofguaranteesfortheeffectivenessofourministryintheirlives.It’sscarybecauseofthechaosweexperienceinourownthoughtsandhowthisplaysintoourfearsandinadequacies.”

7. Onpage51,Michellewrites,“JustasChristemptiedhimselftocomerestorewhatwasbrokenbysinhereonearth,weashisfollowersneedtohavethesameattitudeandwillinglyemptyourselvesofourdemands,privileges,andperspectivesofwholenesstojointhepoorandshareinsolidarityofpresence–notbecausetheycan’tlivewithoutusbutbecausewecannotlivewithoutthem.”Whatspiritualpractices,teachingsordisciplineshaveyoulearnedthathelpyou“emptyyourself”?

8. Whenyouhaveexperiencedthetensionofdesiringtofixthingsforotherswhoaresufferingandinsteadofleaningintothecalltowatch,listen,andlearnwithoutsolvingtheproblem?Haveyouseenpeoplerunningtofixsituationsorfixothers?Howhasthatbeeneffectiveornot?

9. Ifyouhavehadthechancetoparticipateinthepracticeoflament,whereandhowdidyoudoso,andwhatwastheexperiencelikeforyou?

Thereisnothingasasingle-issuestrugglebecausewedonotlivesingle-issuelives.”AudreLorde

Chapter4:LeaningintoLove

“Weareinvitedtofollow[Jesus’]lead,toleanintolovebyturningourtalkoflovingandrescuingtheworldintoredemptiveaction.WejourneywithJesusonhismissiontorescueabrokenworld“(p.85).



1. WhatintimidatesyouaboutleaningintoloveandembracingGod’scallingforyourlife?

2. Whenyouthinkaboutlivingaproximatelife(whateverthatmightlooklikeforyou),whatarethesacrificesthatyouwouldhavetomake?Howdoyoufeelaboutmakingthosesacrifices?

3. Asyouhavebeenreadingthisbook,wherehaveyousensedGodcallingyoutoa“deeperresponse”?Taketimetojournaland/orshare,andaskGodwhatthisresponsemaylooklikeyourlife.

4. Whataretheidolsthatyouhold,theversionofyouthatyoulike,thatcouldbebarrierstoadeeperengagementinalifeofproximity(p.84)?

Contemplativeprayerisaspiritualpracticethatusesmeditationtobestillandemptyone’sselfbeforeGod.AsMichellehasbecomemoreinvolvedinwalkingalongsidefriendsinpovertyandinadvocatingforjustice,contemplativeprayerhasbecomeanimportantpracticetoletgoofthedesiretobetheonewhomakesadifference,overcomedisillusionment,andtakethefocusonherownoranadvocacy-basedagenda.SheinvitesyoutoreadTheWelcomingPrayerbyThomasKeatingandtryitasaentryintocontemplativeprayer.Setatimerforfiveortenminutes,readtheprayer,thenfindawordorphraseintheprayertocomebacktoandrepeatinyourmindeverytimeyougetdistractedduringyoursettimeforstillness.

TheWelcomingPrayerbyFatherThomasKeating

Welcome,welcome,welcome.

IwelcomeeverythingthatcomestometodaybecauseIknowit'sformyhealing.

Iwelcomeallthoughts,feelings,emotions,persons,situations,andconditions.

Iletgoofmydesireforpowerandcontrol.Iletgoofmydesireforaffection,esteem,

approvalandpleasure.Iletgoofmydesireforsurvivalandsecurity.Iletgoofmydesiretochangeanysituation,

condition,personormyself.IopentotheloveandpresenceofGodand

God'sactionwithin.Amen.


Chapter5:RaceMatters

“WhenpeopleaskmehowtobuildbridgestopeopleofcolorItellthem…tobegintolistentothevoicesofcolor.Seekouttheirbooks,theirsermons,theirteaching.Begintoallowyourintellecttobeshapedbythewaytheyseetheworld.Respecttheirinstructionasleadersandsitundertheirteaching—notasananomalybutasawayoflife”(p.88).


1. Whatarethebarriersthatkeepyoufromengagingwithpeopleofadifferentracial/ethnicbackground?

2. Haveyoueverhadanexperienceofsittingundertheteachingofsomeonefromanotherracial/ethnicbackgroundandrespectedhis/herinstructionasaleader?Ifso,whatmadeitpossibleforyoutodoso?Ifnot,whynot?

3. Whenyouhearthewords“whitesupremacy,”whatcomestomind?

4. Haveyoueverengagedinaprocessofunderstandingyourcultural/racialidentity?Whendidyoufirstbecomeawareofyourownethnicandracialheritage?

5. HowhaveyourexperiencescrossingtheracialdividebeensimilartoordifferentthanMichelle’s?Doyouseegenerationaldifferencesinhowracialdividesarecrossed?

6. Asyouseedivisionsinthechurch,doyoubelieveraceplaysaroleinthosedivideds?Inwhatways?

7. HowcanweleanintotheunityinthebodyofChristbeyondpublicdisplaysandprayers?Whatdoyoufeelisneededforthechurchtotrulyembraceracialandethnicdiversity?

“Showmethesufferingofthemostmiserable;SoIwillknowmypeople’splight.Freemetoprayforothers;

Foryouarepresentineveryperson.Helpmetakeresponsibilityformyownlife;SothatIcanbefreeatlast.

Grantmecouragetoserveothers;Forinservicethereistruelife.Givemehonestyandpatience;

SothatIcanworkwithotherworkers.Bringforthsongandcelebration;

SothathisSpiritwillbealiveamongus.LettheSpiritflourishandgrow;

Sothatwewillnevertireofthestruggle.Letusrememberthosewhohavediedforjustice;Fortheyhavegivenuslife.

Helpusloveeventhosewhohateus;Sowecanchangetheworld.Amen.“


CaesarChavez,PrayeroftheFarmworker’sStruggle

Chapter6:PrivilegeNeedstoTakeaSide

“Regardlessofourethnicidentity,ifourproximitytothepoorisachoice,weareprivileged”(p.10).

“Whatareyougoingtodowithwhatyouhave?”(p.109).


1. Haveyoueverparticipatedinapublicrallyforajusticeissue?Whatwasitlike?Howdiditmakeyoufeel?Whydidyoudoit?

2. DoyouthinklawsintheUnitedStatesarejust?Whyorwhynot?Ifthisisquestionyouhavenotconsideredbefore,whyorwhynot?

3. InIsaiah1:16-17wearetoldtoseekjustice,rebuketheoppressor,defendthefatherless,andpleadforthewidow.Doyouseethechurchdoingthisasawayoflife,andhoworhownot?

4. Whatdoyouthinktheroleofthechurchisinseekingjustice?

5. HowdoyouthinkChristiansshouldchoosesideswhenitcomestoissuesofinjustice?

6. Howdoyoudothisanddealwiththe“politicalnature”ofchoosingandfightingforanissuewiththoseyoucareabout?

7. Howfarshouldwegotoinstandingupforthoseimpactedbyinjustice?

8. Michelledescribestwostepsforthoseinthedominantculturetotakeinaddressingracism:1.Recognizethatwecannotfullyunderstandthepainofracism2.Offeroursupportwithopenarmsandaposturethatasks,“Whatwouldyouhavemedo?”Whereinyourlifeistherespacetotakethesesteps?Ifyoucan’tthinkofhowyoucouldapplythesesteps,whatmightbesomebarrierstoyouinaddressingracisminyourownsphereofinfluence(p.101)?

“Ifyouhavecomeheretohelpme,youarewastingyourtime.Butifyouhavecomebecauseyourliberationisboundupwithmine,thenletusworktogether.”

LilaWatson


Chapter7:Fear,Courage,Redemption

Proximityispowerfulbecauseitmakesusstronger.Itenablesustohavestrengthperfectedinweakness.InthisweallowGod’sgracetobringustounimaginableplaces,forhiskingdomandtohiscredit.Strongpeoplearemadebecauseofstrongdecisionstomoveforwardinweakness”(p.131).


1. Doyouconsideryourselfnaturallybraveorfearful?Whatisanexamplewhenyouhavedisplayedeitherorboth?

2. Whenhaveyouhadtoembracecourageandmovebeyondfear?Whatwastheresultinyourheartandmind?Didthisexperiencechangethewayyouengagedfearthenexttime?

3. Doyouthinkthechurchrespondswithfearorcourage?Inwhatways?

4. HowcanweasChristianshelpeachothermovepastourfearsandleadwithpassionandconviction?

5. Michelle’sarticulationofexampleswhenourfaithputsjusticeabovethelaw,andthenwhenitleadsustochallengingwhetheralawneedstobechanged,issuchaconsensus-buildingargumentforusewithinthechurch.Haveyouparticipatedindiscussionsorheardofrationalesthathelphighlighttheneedforthechurchtochallengeunjustlaws?

6. Haveyouseenorexperiencedleaderswhoshyawayfromhardthingsbecauseoffearofareaction?Howdoesthatmakeyoufeelabouttheirleadership?

7. Whatkindofleaderdoyouthinkthechurchneeds?Howmightwebecalledtorisetothatchallenge?

“Courageisnottheabsenceoffear.Itislivingyourconvictionsinthefaceoffear!”Dr.JohnPerkins

Chapter8:SolviturAmbulando

“Inproximity,ourrelationshipsenableustostaycommittedforthelonghaul.We’renotfightingforissues;wearefightingalongsidethepeoplewelove.Howeverevenwhenwe’refighting…thetimelineofjusticeworkislongandwecaneasilybecomediscouraged.Welikequickandeasyfixesbutthat’snotthekindofworkwe’redoing.We’reonalongjourneythatbeganlifetimesbeforewearrivedandmayresolvelifetimesbeyondourown”(p.149).



1. Haveyouhadanexperienceonajourneyyoufeltasthoughyoutookawrongturnandlandedinanunfamiliarplace?Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourself?Others?God?

2. Consideringthelongworkofjustice,whatareexamplesyouseeinsocietyorthechurchthatdisplayinsteadamoreresults-drivenapproach?Whatisyourfeelingaboutthoseexamples?

3. Haveyousatata“table”whereyouhavebeenuncomfortablelisteningtosomeonewhothinksdifferentlythanyouorthegroup?Howdoesthatmakeyoufeel?

4. Whenhasyourperspectivebeentransformedbycollaboratingwithpeoplewithbeliefsdifferentthanyours?

5. Haveyoueverexperiencedamomentinwhichthoseimpactedbyinjusticecommunicatedunderstandingofyoursolidaritywiththem?Whatwastheimpactthatithadonyou?

6. HowcanwelearnfromthestoryofJonahregardingourhearttowardourenemies?

7. Whatdoyouthinkoftheideaofconfidentpluralism,andhowdoyouthinkitshould/shouldn’tshapethewayweinteractwithpeoplewhoaredifferentthanus?

“Alllifeisinterrelated,thatsomehowwe'recaughtinaninescapablenetworkofmutualitytiedinasinglegarmentofdestiny.Whateveraffectsonedirectlyaffectsallindirectly.Forsome

strangereason,IcanneverbewhatIoughttobeuntilyouarewhatyououghttobe.YoucanneverbewhatyououghttobeuntilIamwhatIoughttobe.

Thisistheinterrelatedstructureofreality.”Dr.MartinLutherKingJr.

Chapter9:JoiningtheCollectiveEngagement

“Alifeofproximitytothepoorispowerfulbecauseitsstorycannotbewrappedupinonesmallindividualpackage;itisacollective,faith-filledlifeliveddayafterdayalongsidethepainandsufferingofothers.Wedonotsimplydesiretheeliminationofpainbutarenewedspiritandarefinedheartasweshareittogether”(p.162).


1. Whatroledoyouthinkleadersplayinjustice?Wherehaveyouseenthisdonewell?Wherehaveyouseenitdonepoorly,andhowcanwelearnfromthosemistakes?


2. Howhaveyouseentheeffectsofegoimpactacollectivework?Howcanwechampionmorecollaborativeefforts,andwhatarethebenefitsofdoingso?

3. Whathaveyouencounteredonyourjourneythathaverequiredthechoicetohope?Howcanyouresonatewiththe“bigglassofhope”illustrationthatMichelledescribes?

4. Michellesharedthatherjourneyintoalifeofproximitytothepoorbeganwithmovingintoanunder-resourcedneighborhoodinDallas.Butthejourneycanbeginmanydifferentways.Asyou’vebeenreadingthisbook,whatarethecollectivewaysyouhavebegundreamingaboutandfeelingcalledtoinyourownjourneyontheJerichopath?Andofcoursethiswalkisn’tasolojourney,sowithwhomareyoufeelingcalledtopartner?Howdoyouwanttohaveyourjourneydefined?

5. Howhascynicismderailedanypreviouseffortsyouhavebeenapartof?Howhasaresults-drivencultureplayedintocynicisminthechurch?Howcanwemovepastthattoafaith-filledperspective?

6. Whatisyourdreamforthechurchtoday?Howdoyouseeyourselfhelpingtoshapethatdream?

“Hopehastwobeautifuldaughters;theirnamesareAngerandCourage.Angeratthewaythingsare,andCouragetoseethattheydonotremainastheyare.”

St.Augustine


FromtheAuthor…

AfterfinishingthefinaleditsofThePowerofProximity,IwantedtotakeafewmonthsbeforeitsreleasetoconnectwithagroupofDenverwomenwhohadasharedpassionforproximatelivingtothepoorandwhowereactivelyengagingalongsideourcityofDenverinavarietyofvocations.Forseveralmonths,wegatheredeachweekandspenttimeinreflectiveprayerandcontemplation,discussedthebook,sharedourgriefandhopesforthechurch,anddreamedandcommittedtobetheleadersneededtohelpshapeitsfuture.Thiscomplimentaryguideisoneoftheresultsofourtimetogether.Whetheryouareusingthisguidepersonallyorinagroup,weallhopethatitisusedtodeeplystiryourthoughtssothatitcanmovetotheactionwesodesperatelyneedinourworldtoday.

Belowarethewomenwhosesharedjourneywithmeforthisseasonhashelpedmakemineabitricher.Itrustthatyourecognizetheneedforacollectionofvoicestosupportyoursandworktojoinotherstomoveforwardfromawarenessofinjusticetowardactioninitsalleviation.

~MichelleWarren

StudyGuideContributors:

ErickaAndersen

Mypassionforjusticeislinkedtomyheritage.Igrewupasanonlychildwithinawarm,largeextendedLatinfamilyofimmigrants.IlearnedSpanishandEnglishsidebyside,still,asasmallgirlIremembergoingtoapartywithmygodmotherandoverhearingsomeadultstheresay,“MiralaGringita”or“LookatthelittleAmericangirl.”MyblondehairandfairskinfrommyDanishfathermademeanoutsideratthatmoment,andintroducedmetothefeelingofbeingexcludedbasedonappearance.YetthroughoutmylifeIhavebenefittedfromtheprivilegemydominantcultureappearanceaffordsme,andIhavestruggledwithfeelingsofbetrayalanduncertaintymoreandmoreasIhavewitnessedtheprejudicetheLatinocommunityoftenexperiences.

AsaChristian,thesetensionsofprivilegeandsolidarityalongwiththecalltofollowaSaviorwhoisbotharebelandanoutcasthaveledmetoalifetimeofquestions.Seekingto“livethequestions”asoneofmyfavoritepoets,Rilke,encourages,hasbroughtmeintorelationshipwithfriendswhoselivesarecharacterizedbylackofchoices,andwhoseexperienceswiththeundersideofbrokensystemsisaplacewherehopedoesn’tseemtoexist.MyvocationisalowvisiontherapistwhereIsupportfolksdealingwithvisualdisability,butmyroleinthe


communityandpassionforjusticehasbecomemuchmorereflectiveofthefactorsofpovertyandinjusticeimpactingmyfriendsandtheirextendedcommunities,andthebeliefthatstandingwiththemisthecontextforhowbelieversliveouttheirfaith.

Shant’aJohnson

Iamwellacquaintedwithsystemicbarriers.Asablacksinglemother,raisedupoutofgenerationalurbanpoverty,IhaveexperiencedhowthesebarriershaveforfartoolonginfluencedthestructuresandsystemsofChristianministriesandchurchinstitutions.InGod’sredemption,havingtheopportunitytoworkinthepubliceducationsectoradvocatingfortheeducationalrightsofstudentsexperiencinghomelessnesswithspecificfocustoSpanish-speakingfamilieswhilealsovolunteeringinthecommunitytoincreasethequalityoflifeforblackchildrenandtheirfamiliesthroughwiththeDenverChapteroftheBlackChildDevelopmentInstitute;Iwashonoredtosharemyheartandexperiencesalongsideagroupofamazingwomentodiscoverwhatitmaylookliketoliveoutredemptionfromthesin-sicknessofhateandpartialityasisspokenaboutinJames2:1,“Mybrothers,[a]shownopartialityasyouholdthefaithinourLordJesusChrist,theLordofglory.”Iamexcitedtohavewalkedthisjourney,andliftupinprayerthisworkalongwiththeeffortsofmanyothersintheBodythataresheddinglightontodarkspacesintheChurch.

JennyMedrano

MynameisJennyMedranoandIamapassionateeducator,communitydeveloperandyouthworker.AftergraduatingfromWheatonCollegein2013withaB.S.inElementaryEducation,ImovedtoDenverforanUrbanLeadershipProgram.HereinDenver,Ihavefoundwaystoutilizemyeducationdegreeinmycommunitydevelopmentwork.AsaMexican-American,IamverypassionateaboutconnectingwithandempoweringtheLatinocommunityofDenver.Ilove


developingpeopleofallagesinleadershipandIhavedonesothroughculturalintelligencetrainingsandleadershipdevelopmentcurriculum.

RebeccaMendozaNunziato

I’maColoradobornandraisedmillennialpassionateabouttransformationandreconciliationthroughunlikelyfriendships.Asamixed-racewomanIseektobeabridgebuilderandpeacemakerandconsideritacallingtopursuewholenessandbeautyinhardandforgottenplaces.

Aftergraduatingcollege,IfoundmyselfinvitedtobeaneighborinoneofDenver’spublichousingcommunitiesandhavebeenlearninghowtolisten,loveandbelovedsince.OneofthemostprofoundspiritualpracticesIhaveintegratedintomylifeisoneofpresence,simplybeingamongthepoorandmarginalized.Thisisanembodiedsolidaritythatisrootedinfriendshipandmutuality,itallowsforauthenticity,growth,givingandreceiving–anexperiencethatcannotbehadfromadistance.WhileIamoftenunsureofthemostappropriatemethodologyasaneighbor,Icontinuetoputonefootinfrontofanother,apologizingwhenIfumbleafriendshiporoffendanacquaintanceandallowingmyselftobehealedbythelaughterofchildren,thewisdomofmothersandthestrengthofthecommunity.

IcurrentlyworkatMileHighMinistriesasapartoftheCommunityDevelopmentteam,whereIhavebeenlearningtoblendmyactivismwithcontemplativespirituality.IleadCityExplorationretreats,supportnewpeacemakingprojectsandcoordinatewidevarietyeventsforourstaff,partnersandvolunteers.I’mmarriedtoMichael,whoenjoysurbangardeningandsoccer,andtogetherweloveourcity.

AlexandriaNewton(picturedwithhusbandTimNewton)


IcurrentlyworkasaLicensedClinicalSocialWorkerinDenver,Coloradodoingprimaryadultindividualandgrouptherapy.Asabilingualtherapist(English/Spanish),Iworkwithmanyimmigrantadultsandfamiliesanddailyseetheimpactsofourfailingimmigrationsystemonfamilies.Asasocialworkeritismyresponsibletonotonlyworkonmicro(individual)levelsbutalsoworktoaddressmeso(smallgroups/localcommunity)andmacro(largesystem/institutionalwork)levelissues.MyfocusasIlistentothedailystoriesofclientsbeingimpactedbyourimmigration,healthcare,education,andothersystemsistoensureIamalsoworkingtoadvocateforchangeinpoliciesthatpromotehumandignity,self-determination,andsocialjustice.AsaChristianworkinginthefield,Ihaveoftenfoundthatthechurchislessactiveintheselevelsandithasbeendifficultformetofigureoutmyplaceinchurch.BeingapartofthisgrouphasenabledmetofindauniqueplacewithotherChristianstogrievemyownfailingsbutalsothoseofthechurchandgreatersystemsandtohopeforagrowing,collectivevisionofthebodyofChristthroughcontemplationandaction.

CassandraPugh

IhailfromDallas,TexaswhereIspentsevenyearsinfull-timeministryatamulti-sitechurch.Whilethere,Iwasachildren’spastorandthetrainerforthechildren’sministrycurriculumthatwasdevelopedbythechurch.In2015Itransitionedintoatwo-yearFellowshipinDenver,Coloradowheremypassionforworkingwithadultswasrealized.CurrentlyIaminNashville,Tennesseehelpingalocalchurchjump-startaministrytobetterservetheirneighborsthroughacareerreadinessanddevelopmentprogram.

IampassionateaboutmakingsureallGod’speopleareseenandtreatedwiththelove,value,&careHeintended.Istrivetochallengeviewsthatwouldpresentanypeoplegroupasinferior.SomeofmymanylovesareSpanishmusic,worldcuisine,andseeingthechurchstandunitedinChrist.AfterNashville,IplantomovetoGuatemalatoworkonmySpanishfluency.Thisisnotonlyadesireofmyheart,butbelieveitisanecessitytobetterequipmetolovemyneighborstoserveinthewaysthatGodcallsme.


JamieRosenberry

IamaCalifornianativehappilytransplantedintothegloriousstateofColorado.IcurrentlyservewithOpenDoorMinistriesinDenverasajobcoachandresourcenavigatorforfolkswhoarecomingoutofhomelessnessandaddictionandseekingtomakingpositivechangesinlife.Additionally,Ialsoco-superviseOpenDoor’sscreen-printingbusiness,Street2Life,whichprovidestransitionalemploymentforstreetyouth.Priortothisassignment,IservedonstaffwithChurchResourceMinistriesfornineyears,invariousroles.MydeepestpassionisseeingtheKingdommanifestamongthepoorandaccompanyingthebrokenandoppressedintheirspiritualjourneyswithJesus.

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The Power of Proximity Study Guide - InterVarsity Press · The Power of Proximity Study Guide Page 1 ... But part of this journey ... “A true revolution of values will soon cause