Number 1 on the Communities of Chicago map just happens to be the area in which I live, Rogers Park. I'm excited to start in this area. We as a team at YWAM Chicago along with each outreach team that we work with, have been praying specifically for this area for the last two years. We have seen positive things happen in this part of the city and know God has much more in store. Rogers Park is an incredibly unique and diverse neighborhood. It is 1.8 square miles on the far north side of Chicago, just south of the suburb of Evanston. There is an estimated population of 56,000 people, representing 150 nations. It is considered one of the gateway neighborhoods because of it's immigrant and foreign population. Because of it's foreign population it tends to be a very transient neighborhood as well. New people to Chicago arrive on a daily basis.
There are two areas I wanted to focus on for Rogers Park in our prayers. The first is for the church in and around Rogers Park to utilize the tool God has given us in bringing the nations to our door. We can step out and reach lives right where we live. They in turn can reach out to their family and friends in their home nation. What a blessing! Pray that people coming to Rogers Park from foreign countries will have direct interaction with Christians and be marked by God's love. Pray also for the ministries in the area to be able to reach out effectively to such a transient group.
Rogers Park is also home to Loyola University. This is what I want our second area of prayer focus to be. The University has a huge impact in Rogers Park and takes up quite an area within the community. I have a friend that works at Loyola as a chaplain. I asked him what he would like to us to pray for and here are a few things he shared. First is to pray for students who are mentally ill. There is a lot of mental illness on campus with very little help. Second, the ministry at Loyola to students is short on men. Loyola is a female dominated school and the ministry there has about 90% female attending. Third is that the students would get outside of maintaining their Christian bubble and engage with those who believe differently, essentially evangelism. Last, pray for the leaders, that they would have wisdom to lead their peers.
Thanks so much for lifting up Rogers Park in your prayers this week. I have grown to love this neighborhood as it has become my new home. Have a great week everyone! Expecting great things from God!!
Coming Next Week: West Ridge
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