The 333 House

The last box is unpacked, the clothes are hung up, the books are put away.  I am officially settled into the 333 house but still trying to find my way around this massive house.  This historic mansion was previously used by a Mennonite ministry but is now a home for almost 20 missionaries.  The house is composed of YWAM staff members, "Circuit Riders" (a ministry that travels to Ivy league universities doing evangelism), and Burn 24/7 members (that's me!).

This truly is the embodiment of community living centered around the presence of God!  I have only been here for a week but am already falling in love with this kind of expression of the Body.  We are not all doing the same thing or a part of the same ministry but there is a unity that has been established in the fact that we are all of a united pursuit.  We are all pursuing the face of God.  We are all pursuing transformation in this city and region.  We are all pursuing a lifestyle of representing the Kingdom in all that we do.  We are all pursuing family.

To get an idea of what kind of culture has been established in this home:

- The 333 House is a place of peace, and has an atmosphere of rest. Matt 5:9

- We commit to out-doing one another in honor, service, and love. Phil 2:4

- We are joy-filled servants, and always hospitable to guests.

- We will commit to having unoffendable hearts and will be quick to forgive.

So far we have had family times, meals together, worship nights, game nights, etc...  There is so much life that is released through together!  I am becoming more and more convinced that we will never truly see the fullness of God if we choose to live in any form of isolation.  In no way to I mean removing the secret place with Jesus.  But if I devalue the importance of truly allowing people to have a place in my life, I miss out on each unique revelation of the Father that each person carries.  We together are the fullness of Jesus.

Along with the beautiful culture that is going on inside this house, there is also a beautiful outward expression.  We are located in the center of Harrisburg's ghetto district.  It is incredible the level of poverty here and how it affects everything.  It's not just an issue of income, but an entire way of living that and a poverty mindset that holds these people in bondage.  There is so much opportunity to see transformation in this area!  We are literally living in the hardest and darkest place in Harrisburg but we carry a presence that is so much greater.  Since we are living on the land, we get to take authority over it.  We get to shape the culture.  I am so excited to see what Holy Spirit has in mind and how I will get to partner with His creativity!

The Intro to the Burn internship starts up next week!  Could it get any better?