Kansas City church fights to remain in inner city

In a recent Inside Story column, I mentioned LaVance Wes Anderson, minister for the Downtown Church of Christ in Kansas City, Mo.:

Anderson spoke on ministering to the down and out in the inner city and the need to “talk up” to such troubled souls. That can require a preacher to leave his office, take off his suit jacket and brush elbows with someone who may reek of alcohol or smell like urine, he suggested.
Or it may mean allowing a person dressed in less than Sunday best to use the church restroom.
“We’ve had people steal our toilet paper,” Anderson said. “That’s OK. It’s 89 cents a roll.”

Now comes news that the Downtown church is seeking $5,000 per month in support to remain at its current location.
In an e-mail, Anderson said:

Greetings Friends
I hope you and yours are doing well. Hope all is well with you and yours. As you may or may not know, the Downtown church is in a fight to remain in the Northeast part of Kansas City. We are in the inner city by choice.   Presently,  we are in a dire condition as we are needing financial assistance to remain in our present location.  we need concerned and faithful brethren to support this work.  Our bank is trying to pressure us to put our church building on the market.   They see that our funds are low and nearing depletion.  We did not accept their offer. All they are seeing is numbers. We walk by faith. There are far too many precious souls in this area on the brink of missing heaven. We refuse to keep our plight a mystery. This is why we are putting out this notice for all to see and know our need. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at the number listed below or call my cell phone at . Now…if you would, please watch the 10 minute youtube video for yourself. You may have to highlight, cut and paste. Please forward it to other brothers and sisters in Christ as well.   Can you support us with $5, $10, $15, $25, $50 or $100 a month?  Thank you and my God bless you to prosper in 2012. Thanks!
Please…don’t forget us.
“THE CHURCH WITH A HEART, NEAR THE HEART OF THE CITY”…
Downtown Church of Christ
2010 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City, Missouri 64127
(816) 241-9999 Ofc.
(816) 241-9595 Fax
Our Mission: “Our mission is to become a place where people can live, learn and love in Jesus Christ, as we restore New Testament Christianity in today’s world. The Downtown Church of Christ is a body of baptized believers who are motivated to seek and save the lost to the glory of God.”
 

• Feedback
  I have spoken at ladies days and held ladies classes at this congregation and helped with other projects there, and I can assure you Wes and his wife, Iris, are doing an unbelievable job of reaching the people in their area. We need to keep this ministry going. They are seeing good results and they are changing lives. I encourage you to consider helping this dedicated family continue their work.

  Wilburta Arrowood

  January, 11 2012

  There needs to be more giving toward domestic missions like this work and when that is taken care of, work to help church planter all over the US. If the American church isn’t strengthened There won’t be any money for foreign missions which is a field we all care a lot about too.

  Brian

  January, 12 2012

  I put this on my Facebook page so others might see it. This is a major need.

  Bob Valerius

  January, 12 2012

  This is a fantastic congregation that is doing huge mission work right here at home! My prayer is that they find enough help in time so that they may continue for many years to come!

  Genny Cox

  January, 13 2012