We’re Better For It

Dwayne Cline

It started when a small group of pastors met with some colleagues from International Teams and realized that there was much more to unite us than to divide us. We began to consider how we could cooperate and decided that we were called together bring good to the city of Hamilton. We called the movement TrueCity believing that we were God’s city in our city. We adopted a statement of faith to unite us in what we believed and drafted core values to unify us in the way we lived out those beliefs and we realized that we were better for if.

In working together one of our churches that for decades had been isolated from and ignorant of brothers and sisters in other churches began to work with them and care for them. They not only realized that they were not alone but that they could journey with other Christians in neighbouring churches and we knew we were better for it.

One church who had been caring for the poor with food and clothing assistance was struggling to find a way to better serve the marginalized and was taught by a church whose relational ministry engaged the poor with dignity and respect. The struggling church duplicated the ministry and developed deeper relationships with the poor in their neighbourhood and we knew we were better for it.

A church steeped in tradition who had ignored their surrounding community bravely determined to care for and engage their neighbourhood. When many congregants questioned the direction the church was embracing their pastors and leaders found refuge when they gathered with the pastors and leaders of other churches who were going through the same struggles and as we cried and laughed together in following God’s call we realized we were better for it.

Another church that was struggling to continue to exist was encouraged and energized by this TrueCity movement. Their renewed hope in God’s calling for them to care for their community has seen their church more than double in size and we knew we were better for it.

Together we have cleaned up the city, rode for refugees, provided backpacks for underprivileged children, learned from each other and planted churches. Together we have better cared for those with mental illness, loved those who’ve moved to our city from other parts of the world and seen several struggling churches strengthened…and we knew God’s kingdom was being revealed and that we’re better for it.

When churches that were fighting to stay alive are again vitally involved in their neighbourhoods and local councillors and community leaders thank us for our work we know our communities are better for it. When the director of education for the city of Hamilton calls us to thank us for the blessing we have been to local schools we realize that our schools are better for it. When the mayor is encouraged by our sacrifice and service we know that our city is better for it. When churches whose doors almost closed are now planting churches we know our churches are better for it.

Our communities, our schools, our city, our churches and most importantly God’s kingdom are better because of TrueCity. Here’s a movement we can proudly be a part of. Here’s a movement we can give time to. Here’s a movement we can support because here’s a movement God is using to bring good to the city. TrueCity…bringing good to Hamilton in Jesus name. Join us as we together are part of God’s work in this city. You will be better for it, your church will be better for it, your neighbourhood will be better for it, your local school will be better for it, our city will be better for it and God’s kingdom will expand because of it…because of a movement of churches known as TrueCity.