Urban Emphasis Week: Doing Ministry NOW

A current undergraduate student shares her perspective on Moody’s annual Urban Emphasis Week. In our 125^th year we are grateful that our founder’s legacy is evident in week-long events like this one.

By Anna De Zarn, freshman, International Ministry

While preparing for future ministry at Moody Bible Institute, it can be easy for students to forget about the ministry opportunities available to us in the mission field God’s given us now: Chicago. With so many different neighborhoods and cultures, this city is chock-full of needs waiting to be met.

In an effort to get Moody students out and recognizing these needs, the Urban Ministry department brought to campus a rejuvenated sense of D.L. Moody’s heart for the urban setting. In late February, the annual Urban Emphasis Week hit the scene with ministry-focused chapels and neighborhood tours led by senior Urban Ministry majors.

The opportunity to step off campus to see the city was an important one for many of us, like my friend Anna Leet, senior Urban Ministry major. “We’re already in the city, but some people have never been in the neighborhoods,” she said. “If we’re not getting out, we’re not going to see [all of] God’s creation. I hope students became more aware of the people around them.”

And I think this hope was reached. Urban Emphasis Week was an encouraging reminder that we, as Christians, should always be watching for ways to minister to the people around us in our current stage of life. For me, an International Ministries major, it’s easy to slip into the mindset that my ministry begins when I graduate, when I’m overseas. Not so. Throughout the week, chapel speaker Doug Nichols, founder and international director emeritus of Action International Ministries, countered this notion by pointing out ways to serve by praying, working on projects, giving, going and doing NOW. Nichols directed us to one central point: choose specific ways to minister and “trust God to do them for His glory!”

D.L. Moody encourages us with this same mentality of action, a mentality he maintained throughout his own urban ministry: “If we have got the true love of God shed abroad in our hearts, we will show it in our lives. We will not have to go up and down the earth proclaiming it. We will show it in everything we say or do.”

A Designer’s Role in Moody’s Legacy

Leading up to the launch of the 125^th anniversary year there was a lot of behind-the-scenes work that went into the look and feel of the celebration. The teamwork and collaboration of Moody’s various departments inspired many of us, including the designer who helped visually capture the milestone in a logo. Today, she gives us a glimpse into her part.

By Rachel Hutcheson, graphic designer, Marketing & Communications

There's something humbling about walking to work and seeing a project you've worked on hanging from the side of a building. When I saw the 125th anniversary banner on the corner of Wells Street and Chicago Avenue near our Chicago campus, it made me so proud to be a part of Moody Bible Institute. My grandmother has always received Today in the Word in the mail, and I grew up seeing the Moody Scripture calendars in her kitchen. I never knew that I'd someday get the privilege to be a part of it.

Corporate Communications spent many hours developing the brand and various pieces for this very special anniversary. However, what I will always remember about the excitement of this time was how much prayer went into each milestone. The heart behind this celebration was truly devoted to praising God for his provision and prayerfully seeking God's will and blessing for Moody's future. This message was the starting point for the 125th Anniversary logo.

The logo's purpose is to commemorate our bold legacy and to clearly define our objective of a dynamic future. I consider it an honor to be part of this team and to witness the leadership's humble reliance on God as we prepared the materials for this significant celebration. I believe the heart behind today's leadership is the same as it was 125 years ago, and I pray for God's continued blessing on Moody Bible Institute.

Music Ministry Made Possible through Generosity

This semester, students in an Intro to College Writing class on the Chicago campus were given the assignment to write a short narrative about an experience at Moody that made them grateful for our donors. Today’s blog post is the second in this three-part series. You can read the first here.

By Blake Fewell, freshman Theology major 

The equipment had been loaded into the truck, and we were about to set off for our three-day excursion.  This would be my first Winter Tour with the Moody Symphonic Band.  I was a bit nervous about how things would go once we reached our destination, but I looked forward to the fun time of fellowship and service.

As we pulled into the first church’s parking lot, the mechanics of setting up went into full force.  Like a well-oiled machine, the small church chapel was completely set up and ready for a concert.  The baton came down and the music soared from the instruments, filling the entire room with the majesty of God’s gifts of talent to us students. 

Blake Fewell

After a few pieces of music, our president stood to give his address to the congregation.  He mentioned how the Symphonic Band and Moody Bible Institute were funded through Moody Publishers and our generous donors.  His words reminded me how grateful I was that I could play in concerts with this band across the United States, with no cost to me.  I had previously gone on band tours where thousands of dollars had to be raised to participate, but by the generosity of donations, I could join in this ministry without worrying financially. 

We continued to play our music and worship God in our ministry.  One student got up and stood at the microphone.  Her dark hair glistened in the light as she sang a song reminding us that, at the end of time, there would be no more night and no more pain.  As she sang these words, I was reminded of my situation back home: a dad without work, a mom struggling in her job, and little money in the bank.  I thought; however, how fortunate I am to be able to go to Moody without the worry of debt and that, even though things are hard at the moment, all things will be restored to their former glory when Christ returns.

The concert finished and we packed up the equipment in the same mechanical fashion.  The church building was completely put back together, as if we had never even been there.  We grabbed our belongings and headed to our host homes: a great ending to a great evening of worshiping God through our music.

God-Centered Community Experienced through Generosity

This semester, students in an Intro to College Writing class on the Chicago campus were given the assignment to write a short narrative about an experience at Moody that made them grateful for our donors. Today’s blog post is the first in this three-part series.

By Vida Velasco, freshman Jewish Studies major

I am not your typical Moody Bible Institute student.  When you look at my face, I look as young as those who grace these halls and learn in these classrooms, but looks can be deceiving.  I am 10 years older than most of those around me and yet, this is where the Lord wants me to be. 

I cannot fathom how Moody would look if it was not a tuition paid school.  However, since it continues to be such even in its 125^th year of existence, we are able to concentrate on our studies and apply our learning in ministry.  Without the faithfulness of the donors, I would not have experienced the kind of God–centered community such as I did only the other night at a Kesher dinner fellowship.

The Jewish Studies program is my reason for being at Moody.  The Lord has laid on my heart a burden for my Jewish friends as well as the people of Israel.  The Bible is overflowing with the love He has for His chosen people, something that will not and has not changed.  I can identify well with His grace towards the people of Israel, even in the midst of their rebellion. 

When I look back on my life, even through the times when I was so far from my Creator, I see the thread of His faithful pursuit of me.  One of the main characters during my time away from the Lord was my boss/mentor in New York City.  She had taken me under her wing and given me the gift of true mentorship.  There was a time when people would ask me who I was and I would tell them that I was her “sponge.”  Our professional relationship flourished and my income grew in proportion.

I had been building a successful career in real estate until I came to the point where nothing could satisfy me.  My beautiful apartment in the city, my amazing career, my youth, my income, my status and its symbols, none of it fulfilled the deepest longings of my heart.  It took two years, but God was so faithful.  He continually broke me down and made me realize my inadequacy.  The road has been painful, but I know that I am exactly where He wants me to be.  I am able to deepen my faith and trust in God in a safe environment.  This is an unbelievable gift as I know what it is like out there in the world. 

I was able to share this part of my journey with my former boss only yesterday.  She had been thinking about me all week and gave me a call after months of silence between us.  The Spirit gave me the words to say, and I am praying that she has the same restlessness that I had that was only truly satisfied by surrendering my life to my God. 

After this monumental conversation, I went to Jenkins Hall to have dinner and fellowship with my fellow Jewish Studies majors and our friends.  At one point in the evening, I looked around at all of the incredible people and my heart was overwhelmed.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Each one of us is so different from the other but we have a common ground in our Savior.  For most of my life, I had very few believers as friends, and I know now that I am finally experiencing community as it was meant to be.

When the crowd died down and only a few of us were left, one of my friends who is becoming more and more dear to me, started playing his guitar.  Lifting my voice in praise together with my beloved friends, who are also fellow children of God, made me weep with joy.  My soul is ablaze with the wonder and all consuming fire that is our God.  I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for Moody.