Wilmington is a city in Delaware located between Washington, D.C. and New York City. Wilmington has a reputation of being a “rough city” with high crime, unemployment, and drug addiction. In fact, in December 2014 Newsweek wrote an article entitled “Murder Town (aka Wilmington, Delaware)”. The article elaborates on the various problems that are currently in the city and notes that Wilmington is the 3rd most violent city (among cities its size) in America according to FBI statistics. What would lure me to plant a church in the heart of one of the most dangerous neighborhoods?
The Lord placed a burning desire in my heart to plant a church, but I was not sure where He would lead me. After much prayer and contemplation, I felt the Spirit leading me to move to Wilmington. When I first moved there in February of 2012, I decided to live on the outskirts of the city so that I could get familiar with my new surroundings. However, after two years I decided to move into one of the roughest sections of the city, the east side. Living and serving in this community certainly is a challenging task plagued with many difficulties; yet, there is a tremendous hope to see this troubled city redeemed by our Lord Jesus!
So how should we reach the lost in this city? What is the strategy? As I read through the scriptures and prayed fervently, the strategy that was birthed in my heart was to follow the example of Jesus and the Apostles as stated in Luke 9:1-2, “He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” I am very familiar with “proclaiming the gospel.” However, casting out demons? Healing the sick? Do these things even happen anymore? This would be totally new to me since I come from a pretty conservative theological background.
I decided to hold public evangelistic services in December 2014 once a month. Around that time, I went into the neighborhood to evangelize and I utilized social media to give more exposure to the event. Although the turnouts have been small, God has done some powerful things! Several people have given themselves to the Lord and God has miraculously delivered multiple people from demonic torment! How glorious are His works!
In addition, I began having weekly meetings at my home. The public evangelistic services incorporate the preaching of the Gospel, a teaching on deliverance, teaching on a specialized topic that is relevant to the culture, and a time of ministry.
It is certainly amazing to see the hand of God changing people by the power of Jesus Christ and the glorious Gospel! Although we still have a way to go in reaching the lost in this city, I believe God is beginning a work that will be tangible and transforming! May we all pray the apostle’s prayer, “Lord, grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30)
Rashad Gibson is a World Impact Associate and the Founding Pastor of Mizpah Gospel Mission in Wilmington, Delaware.
