By:  Jared Looney (New York City) 

Just a few short years ago, my family reached a crossroads in our ministry in New York City.  Honestly, urban life had begun to wear on us, and with the so-called "Great Recession", our missionary support had taken a hit financially.  At the same time, I had just finished missions research with Fuller Theological Seminary where I had studied church planting movements and urbanization.  Finally, some of our dearest supporters who had stuck with us through highs & lows, approached me about starting a new missions organization casting the vision for making disciples in an age of globalization (but they didn't quite word it that way), and they were prepared to form a non-profit board of directors.  We talked and prayed, and we prayed and talked.  And we realized that perhaps God was birthing something exciting and challenging.  This was an opportunity to embody years of lessons learned as a missionary into a clear driving vision.  Global City Mission Initiative was born.  Our aim is:  Making disciples at the world's crossroads.

Urban missionaries have been saying "the ends of the earth have come to us" for so long it seems almost cliché, but it's never been more true than it is today.  In NYC, 1 out of every 10 New Yorkers is a Muslim, there are over 60,000 International students enrolled in the city's colleges, and there are more Spanish-speakers living in NYC than in 9 Latin American capitals.... and we're just getting started!  One of our missionary families, serving in the Bronx, has developed relationships with individuals from Albania, Puerto Rico, Iran, Yemen, Serbia, China, and Taiwan, and they've only been in NYC for 6 months!  Afghanistan is one of the most dangerous places on earth to serve as a missionary, but there are 20,000 to 30,000 Afghans throughout Metro NY.  While NYC is likely the world's most international city, it doesn't stop there.  For example, the population of Miami, Florida is approx. 60% foreign-born, and even cities like Indianapolis, IN or Birmingham, AL have seen their foreign-born populations double in the last ten years.  One of the important factors in all this, is that it is changing the way we do missions. 

For instance, in the past missionaries would reach a community by finding a "gatekeeper."  That is, a person of influence who would allow the missionary access to share the Gospel with their community, but today that person of influence might not even live in the immediate community we are trying to reach.  They might be driving a taxi in New York City, washing dishes in a cafe in Paris, or working a taco stand in Los Angeles.  They are sending money to their family, becoming a symbol of success back home, and as a result, growing in their influence. Today, when we identify unreached peoples for proclaiming the Gospel, we need to begin thinking in terms of global networks connecting people between both homeland and key world-class cities.  This new reality can dramatically affect missions strategies.  We know churches that have started in Asia when someone was baptized in a bathtub in Harlem, or family members in a remote Latin American village have heard the Gospel over the phone from a relative who converted after moving to the South Bronx.  A church in the West Bronx seldom gathers more than 20 souls on a Sunday morning but has multiplied two new churches in two different countries when two of their new converts were each sent back to their country of origin, and now each leads a church in their community.  Globalization is transforming the way we do missions.

The city may be defined as a center of constant motion.  Immigrants are constantly landing in the city (some from unreached people groups with little or no church presence among them anywhere in the world).  College students enroll in city universities.  Young professionals and artists come to town to launch a career.  People are regularly moving out of the city -- both internationally and throughout North America -- and urban dwellers are in constant motion within the city.  We may choose to mourn what feels like great instability.... OR we may develop our mission strategies to match the persistent reality of constant mobility and global connections.  Global City Mission Initiative is working with our partners to pioneer disciple-making strategies in this new world.  We have an ambitious hope that several teams will develop in a number of international cities -- whether New York or London, Los Angeles or Panama City.  We cannot do it alone.  We are seeking additional partners to help us.

One of the evangelism teams I've coached was reaching out to Bengali Muslims in the Bronx, and one day when one of the couples was invited into a Muslim home, they brought a Bengali language Bible to present to the family.  As they handed them the Bible, the husband received it, gently held it in both hands as he might a newborn baby, and expressed his deep gratitude for this amazing gift. 

A Puerto Rican man is steadily mentored towards a relationship with Christ, transformed from a place of real darkness to gradually embracing an emerging life of discipleship.  He invites family and friends to gather in his home and has repeatedly had self-proclaimed atheists join them for Bible discussions. 

A West African Muslim begins hearing stories of the God of the Bible from urban missionaries, and while probably still far from conversion, begins speaking positively about the Gospel of Christ with many of his Muslim friends. 

We passionately hope to see these stories and so many more like them repeated again and again and again.  This is our new global and urban future, and this is our new mission field.  

By:  Sarah Brazle (New York City)

When "H" first came to America he was a Taiwanese atheist who had never known any strong Christians and knew little about the Bible, but after spending time with him through a conversation group, he joined a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) with my husband and a few others.  Being from Taiwan, "H" is incredibly sweet, respectful, and curious and so, even though he did not necessarily have a desire to change religions, he was interested in what my husband had to say and willing to learn about different beliefs.  "H" always asks a lot of questions, looking for truth and an understanding as to why we believe the Bible is factual and worth knowing about.  In the Discovery Bible Study that he is a part of, they have not quite made it to the New Testament and some of the seemingly fairy-tale-like stories still confuse him.  Although this makes "H" uncertain of whether to believe the Bible as truth, "H" has recently told my husband that he can now believe that there truly is a God because of evidence he finds in creation.  What I find most exciting about this story is that, although "H" has trouble believing everything he has so far read in the Old Testament, he has yet to read the New Testament.  We are praying that after Jesus is revealed to him, "H" will begin to see that what we teach is actually true.  And as he grows more comfortable with the idea of a God actually existing, it will become easier to believe stories that seem impossible, because God is so much bigger than we can even fathom.  As DBS groups continue, we continue to pray for "H" and for God to fully move in his heart, revealing His truth, love, and gift of eternal life. 

By:  Sarah Brazle (New York City)

As my husband and one of our friends stood outside of the local Mosque, they began to pray that God would give them an opportunity to share His word.  They were starting to wonder if the Imam would even show, but were still hopeful that God would make a move.  Soon, "E" (a Nigerian man) came over to them, asking if the Imam was around.  "E" was hoping to meet with him also so he too began to wait.  

In that time of waiting, my husband and our friend were able to learn a little about "E".  He has a wife and son who are temporarily staying in Brooklyn, while he is currently living in the Bronx.  He was waiting to ask the Imam for formula and diapers so that he could send them to his wife, as she was running low on supplies.  After listening to some of his story, and accepting that the Imam was in fact not coming, the guys took "E" to the store and bought him some formula.  This was the beginning of their relationship.  

After a few months of reaching out to "E" by having routine Bible studies and helping him to buy formula and diapers, my husband asked me if I would be willing to let him come into our home.  I replied yes.  But, a few days ago, as my husband and I were coming home from one of the Albanian restaurants we reach out to, we just happened to see a sign that left us feeling a little uncertain.  

You see, as time has gone on, "E" has proved somewhat untrustworthy, causing us to question whether he actually has a wife and child.  A few of  our suspicions include not being able to see his family, because they conveniently live far away and he lives with a roommate, which makes it seem like maybe he isn’t married at all.  He also says he is here to look for work, but whenever my husband stops by, he is always asleep, claiming he was looking for work until four in the morning and he also won’t accept help in looking for a job.  All of these things are small and possibly inconsequential, but still, there are some suspicions.  

Now, back to the sign; it read “do not give Enfamil to strangers”.  Of course, we were slightly in shock, because we assumed formula was one of the more safe items to buy for someone, and far better than handing out money, so we looked it up and were surprised to see that formula has become something of high demand.  People have begun to steal it from stores, and ask for it on the streets, because it is a good halving product for drugs.  If your drugs are running low, or you want to dilute the strength, just add formula.  Coincidently, Enfamil is the formula that "E" always asks for.  If he wanted, he could get a different kind of formula from various food banks, but none of them give out Enfamil, so you either have to buy it yourself or have someone else buy it.  In my head I instantly assumed that "E" must have been scamming us the whole time and almost told my husband that I had changed my mind about having him over.  I didn’t know if I wanted a drug addict around my family.

Whoops. Where did that thought come from?  Instantly, different stories from the Bible started pouring into my heart.  Hadn’t Jesus surrounded Himself by sinners?  In Mark 2:13-17, Jesus eats with sinners, even though it made Him “look bad” and it was probably a little dangerous.  We are called to love others at all times; not just when it is convenient or safe.

"E" may be lying about his family and maybe he is scamming us by reselling what we buy him, or maybe he is a drug addict, or maybe he has been telling the truth and he really does need to provide for his wife and baby.  But whatever the case, we will continue to reach out to him, knowing that God is in control and knowing that we are called to love; not separate ourselves from uncomfortable people.             

So now we pray for wisdom in this situation, while scheduling a conversation with "E" that will hopefully reveal truth.  We will love without enabling sin, and maybe we actually will meet his family.   

By:  Sarah Brazle (New York City) 

So Christmas is over and 2014 is already showing its colors -- bringing renewal and a sense of well-being.  Gabe, Olivia, and I have had a wonderful break, enjoying each other, family, and lots of NYC-style foods.  But now, it's time for our busy schedule, as GCMI missionaries, to resume. And here's a glimpse of the next few months and what they have in store for us as a missionary family in New York City.

Following the school break in the Bronx, Gabe and one of our ministry partners have plans to begin tutoring Albanian children with homework and whatever else they need help with.  While our team is definitely hoping to see new relationships form with Albanian families, Gabe is in prayer that we can reach "R", the Albanian gentleman who is in charge of the Balkan Center where the tutoring will take place.  They have been able to form a relationship with him so far, but still have not had much opportunity to speak about Christ.

Right now, Gabe and the other missionary trainees are involved in a three day coaching seminar provided by the Equip training program. When these training sessions end, we plan on starting English conversation groups this semester -- specifically Albanians.  We have already received a few phone calls regarding interest, but we will hopefully be able to really start forming groups in the next couple of weeks.  By doing conversation groups, we hope that the opportunity will arise to also invite some to participate in a Discovery Bible Study.  Simultaneously, English conversation groups and Discovery Bible Studies will continue with Chinese/International step into 2014.

The Balkan Center (where Gabe will be tutoring) is connected to a local mosque. Gabe has been reaching out to the Albanian Muslims here, and has a meeting scheduled with "B", a high-ranking member of the mosque. Gabe has been able to share his faith with him, and this next meeting will likely be cover why each believes what they believe.  "B" has been very open to hearing about Christ and is very interested in understanding why Gabe believes he has found truth in Him.         

In April, Gabe is hoping to fly back to Missouri to visit and reconnect with our supporters.  We hope to continue raising support and have plans to continue ministry in the Bronx well beyond 2014 and build on the foundation that has been laid.  As a family, we're also looking forward to flying back to Missouri in July as well, again reconnecting, visiting mission supporters, visiting with family, and even taking part in a wedding. 

In the midst of our busy-ness, we are continuing our ministry to Gabe’s friend from Yemen and to my Serbian friend, and we are also continuing to walk the neighborhoods and develop relationships with our Albanian neighbors.

We hope you'll join us in prayer.  There are so many prayer requests that we name, but here is a brief list to lift up to our Father.  Please join us before the Father's throne and petition Him for this ministry.    

1.      Pray that Albanian English Groups will get started and will lead to Bible Studies
2.      Pray that the Lord leads us to persons of peace in the Albanian community. 
3.      Pray that Bible Studies with the Chinese will continue to reveal truth, and that God will be able to reach into their lives, bringing them to Him
4.      Pray for our neighbors (specially our Yemeni & Serbian friends), that they will seek truth and discover it in Jesus the Lord.
5.      Pray for an increase in support for our family (the Brazles) and other GCMI missionaries.  
6.      Pray for the Bronx as a whole, that the people will be unsettled with their way of living and will seek a greater joy only found in God.
7.      Pray that we will grow in boldness and faithfulness as witnesses to the grace of God through Jesus Christ.  
8.      Pray for openness to the Gospel among leaders of the mosque and Balkan center in the Bronx.