Late last month, Abounding Grace Ministries launched its 2009 outreach schedule with the theme, “Let Love Live,” and they are spreading the love in activities and events throughout the summer. Here’s the schedule, along with fliers for the various programs.

Email Raquel if you are looking for volunteer opportunities that will rock your world, and consider investing in the Paradoxical Kingdom as a “Let Love Live” sponsor. Download the Sponsor Pack here.

[Click on any image for a larger image size.]

Abounding Grace punctuated the Jesus Loves You New York week with an impromptu baptism service in the schoolyard of PS 34 (their new home since March for Sunday worship at Avenue D and 12 Street). They bought an inflatable pool Saturday afternoon, and filled it in time for a scheduled Sunday morning schoolyard celebration service. Sixty people, most of whom attended church as a result of the outreach, wanted to get baptized on the spot. Raquel Narvaez (who deserves a glorious shout-out for her work on behalf of the church producing Friday’s WOW Jam!) posted pics here.

Day 4: WOW Jam

6th Street between Avenues D & C


WOW Jam Highlights: 5,000+ attended; 302 decisions for Christ; dozens of giveaways (bikes, flat screen TVs, iPods, cash); 100 repaired bicycles; 2,500 free hot dogs and hamburgers; dozens of free hair cuts and family photos; Peaches from Peaches and Herb





Full Set (330 pics)

Day 5: The 14th Annual Xcel 3-on-3 Hoops Tournament & Carnival

Dry Dock Park & PS 34 Schoolyard, Avenue D between 10-12 Streets


Highlights: Relationships strengthened; first ever Xcel Hoops championship involving Del Rios (Jonathan and Jamie) in 14 years; 150+ competitors





Full Set (106 pics)

Full Photo Diary here (2007 and 2008)

Not just one today. Instead, my Daily Photo Diary for Jesus Loves You New York 2008.

Monday: 5th Street Block Party (b/w Aves D & C)

Tuesday: Tompkins Square Park @ 7th Street (b/w Aves A & B)

Wednesday: PS 34 School Yard Jam @ Avenue D & 12th Street

After an off day tomorrow, Jesus Loves You New York resumes with the WOW Jam on Friday (4-8 pm; 6th Street between Avenue D & FDR Drive) and the 12th annual 3-on-3 Hoops Tournament on Saturday (1-8pm; ages 12-15 & 16+; Avenue D & 10th Street). Be there!

Meantime, Day 1 of my Photo Diary is online (340 pics). Days 2, 3, 5 & 6 coming soon.

JLYNY Day 1 Highlights

It’s here.

Abounding Grace Ministries’ annual Jesus Loves You New York outreach kicked off yesterday and culminates Sunday. Every day will be at a different location in Manhattan’s Alphabet City neighborhood, concentrated mostly at venues on Avenue D between 5 Street and 12 Street.

• Sunday 13: Church Without Walls & PS 34 Schoolyard BBQ (Avenue D & 12 Street)
• Monday 14: 5th Street Block Party (btw. Avenues C & D)
• Tuesday 15: Tompkins Square Park (6th Street btw. Avenues A & B)
• Wednesday 16: PS/MS 34 Schoolyard Movie Night (Avenue D & 12 Street)
• Thursday: off
• Friday 18: WOW Jam (6th St. btw. Avenue D & the FDR)
• Saturday 19: 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament (Dry Dock Park @ Avenue D & 10 Street)
• Sunday 20: PS/MS 34 Schoolyard BBQ (Avenue D & 12 Street)

Note that Thursday is an off day. PS 34 is the school where AGM meets on Sundays. From past experience the most lively ministry activity is usually between 3-7 at any of the locations. Stay tuned for pics. (Shot over 400 today!)

Related

+ Last year’s Daily Photo Diary.

On Friday and Saturday, an entire neighborhood witnessed answered prayers with their own eyes as the guy who organized this as a tribute to old-school hip hop,





coordinated this as a tribute to new school opportunity:





Eleven years ago, thirteen young people ages 14-22 overcame the lack of money, space, equipment, and paid staff to establish Generation Xcel, a youth center in Manhattan’s Jacob Riis housing projects. We couldn’t articulate it then, but over time we discovered that our experience reflected certain essential characteristics which we later described as creativity, initiative, resourcefulness, resilience, excellence, and unity. Our mission, also refined later, became empowering young people to achieve their dreams and transform their culture and communities. Then four years ago, 10 teens replicated the model and launched Xpress as a creative arts outlet for their peers.

In the years since that initial summer of 1996, we’ve consistently drawn 75%-80% of our students from PS & MS 34, the public elementary and middle school across Avenue D. Despite repeated attempts to formalize our relationship with the school and even establish a presence on the campus, our efforts pretty much failed beyond the fact that we shared so many students and prayed consistently for the school. Then last year, Jonathan and Dorothy joined the school’s faculty. Then this past spring, the Metro New York Baptist Association awarded us, a non-Baptist ministry, a Paint-the-Town grant. And all summer, volunteers from churches throughout the country have helped beautify the building’s interior.

Then this past week, six artists under the direction of legendary graffiti artist NYC Lase, immortalized everything that Xcel represents in the school’s playground. Three legends including NYC Lase, Duro, and TooFly and three up-and-comers, Ramon Trevino, Lorena Barrezueta, and Kekoa collaborated on four walls and six column surfaces. The lone remaining column surface will be painted by students this fall. Collectively, every wall communicates the mission, values, and opportunities that Xcel empowers kids to realize.

Our prayers for eleven years have included becoming a meaningful presence on campus, one that supports and enhances the staff and students and reinforces their capacity to become who God created them to be. Lase and his crew took the answer to those prayers far beyond our wildest expectations.

Related
+ Adopt-a-School resources
+ Generation Xcel Fact Sheet
+ Volunteer Opportunities

Day 7

Block Party, Avenue D & 10 Street

Day 8

12th Annual Xcel Hoops 3-on-3 Bball Tournament
Dry Dock Park, Avenue D & 10th Street







Related
+ All JLYNY Images
+ Days 1-3
+ Day 4
+ Day 6

Day 6

LaGuardia Houses @ Clinton and Cherry Streets







Related
+ All Images
+ Days 1-3
+ Day 4
+ Remaining Schedule