The question came up today about how to be missional in the ‘burbs. This is something that I have been thinking about for a few days. From what I have gleaned of missional churches and missional lifestyle is that it is a city movement. “Let’s move into the city and be urbanites for Jesus.” I think that is great and there is a need for Jesus in cities, but what about the ‘burbs? Are they no longer important enough for mission or for Jesus?

            I am from the ‘burbs and there is a definite need for mission and Jesus in areas around the city. I have seen poverty, brokenness and despair in these areas. So what can we do? The answer I keep coming back to is youth. We need to reach out to the youth. Though it may not be the most creative thing, most people who live in suburbs are families and if we can care for the kids in that family then hopefully that will open up doors for sharing the gospel with the entire family. We can get involved by volunteering at the school, coaching, being a part of Young Life, etc.

            When I think about Hillsboro, the city/suburb that I am from, it is very hard for me to think of a third place. There are a couple coffee shops, but most of the time they are full of college kids who are home on breaks or people just grabbing a coffee before work.  But the most stable third place I think of is the schools. That is where many parents can be found with their children. Or parents can be found at other after school activities, like dance class, karate practice or theatre practice. So, I think the way to start doing mission in the suburbs is to start with the suburban youth.     –Emily M.