It is a short stroll down East Street in Flint, Michigan from where we gather on Sunday morning for our weekly celebration. There we find a white house with a big front door open to the street and in plain sight of the University of Michigan Flint Campus. Here Kate Robinson, a New Wine member, and other young adults have opened a little Friday night coffee house called "The White House Student Cafe". Here for the last few weeks and until the semester ends from 6pm to 10pm the doors are open to students and young adults free of charge. Owned and remodeled by the Riverside Tabernacle, and in conjunction with IVCF campus ministry, we are forming a ministry team to host these student venues. One or two musicians share their talents as warm coffee and pastries are served. It is the vision of the ministry team that this becomes a regular gathering place for students on Friday nights. Here friendships will be made and good conversation will be had, and on occasion we trust that conversation might focus about the hope that brings joy to the Christian heart. Its happening just down the street in our neighborhood, in Kate's neighborhood. 
In my neighborhood of Flushing there is a senior apartment complex called Elmcrest. Actually there are a few former church members from when I served in the Episcopal church in town who live there. They invited me to come over to share communion for those who cannot get to church on Sundays. Pat Self or I make it over there about once a month. We have had as few as six but more than a dozen on any given visit. The Scriptures say that when we break bread like this, Christ is proclaimed. Right here in my neighborhood.
Jim and Joan just got back from a winter trip to Texas. The surprise is that in the weeks they were away, next to where their Wednesday Cell Group meets at Taecken's Terrace, a new apartment complex called Ballard Village is being quickly built. Jim and Joan know the Ballards whom they went to church with in Davision. Jim shared with the group last Wednesday: "It is so good to see the new apartment going up and they are already putting on the roof. It looks like our next mission field is just about done!" Jim has caught the vision of taking the message to his neighborhood.
As I look over the New Wine flock each Sunday morning, I not only see "sheep" who have been and are being redeemed, but I see in each of them a potential missionary to their neighborhood. Each one of us are potential bearers of good news. I am one who is sold on the value of forming small groups, cell groups, house churches, or whatever else you want to call them, in every neighborhood. I see each member of New Wine as a potential cell church leader in their neighborhood. How will we help Christ transform the world? We will do it one person, one neighborhood at a time.
If this speaks to you, try something simple and take a walk in your neighborhood. Pray over each house, apartment or condo. Let the Spirit inspire your prayers. Do not do it just once but now that the weather is getting better, do it regularly. Do it until the Lord gives you a chance to talk to a neighbor, respond to a need with an act of kindness, or just opens a door to a neighbor's heart. Then let Him lead you as to how you can share the hope that is within you with your neighborhood.
New Wine, let's keep taking it to our neighborhoods!
Count me in! Jim Smith
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