Thank you Crown College!

We were excited to host a team of 16 volunteers from Crown College the week of May 22^nd.  

This was a big week for us, and Crown College was involved every step of the way. In a single week, they helped us with:

The Last Week of our Afterschool Program

A Massive Service Project in Albany Park

Our Annual Golf Outing and Auction

In the midst of that very busy week, the team from Crown College also learned more about our unique ministries to our community in Rogers Park and were given opportunities to grow deeper in relationship to each other and God.

WASHING OF FEET

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them,“Do you know what I have done for you? You call me Teacher and Lord ​— ​and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.

John 13:12-15 (CSB)

At Envision Chicago, the washing of feet is one of our favorite teaching moments. First, teams take a barefoot prayer walk around the community and experience the neighborhood with fresh eyes. This allows our teams a glimpse into what life is like on the streets without basic luxuries like shoes.

After they get back to the site, they wash each other’s feet and have a time of reflective prayer. When the Lord Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, it was a reminder that love finds its fullest expression in sacrificial service to one another.

At the foot washing service at Envision Chicago, something happens with the teams. As they listen to the words of Jesus and experience and participate in washing each other’s feet, each person connects with the heart of God as well as the imago dei (image of God) in each other. Such vertical and horizontal connection ends up acting as the building blocks for deep relationships with our community as the Holy Spirit breathes life into each persons’ heart.

Our hope is that as teams enter our community, they leave with a deeper understanding of Christ driven service. As teams leave, they leave having been equipped to apply the lessons learned at Envision Chicago to their own lives and communities.

We were blessed by the Crown College team’s willingness to tackle hard tasks and learn from our incredible staff. As they go back home and take these lessons with them, we pray they can hold onto that willingness to participate in sacrificial service to God, each other, and neighbor.