Creating a brighter future for our towns by Making A Difference in the lives of His children today
How did M.A.D. In the Streets begin?
How did M.A.D. In the Streets begin?
M.A.D. In the Streets was developed in 2008 when the Lord showed me that there was a severe need in Racine. My wife and I bought our first home in Racine in September of 2007 when she, who was from Kenosha and I who was from Milwaukee began looking for a home somewhere in the middle.We spent over 2 years looking at houses but were never satisfied with what we found.
We must have looked at about 20 to 30 houses. In June of 2007 we came across this one house and there was no doubt about it, we had found the house for us. There really was nothing special about it. It was old, needed a lot of work and it wasn't in the greatest of neighborhoods but it was like it was meant to be. That house was ours.
We are shown the need
Within the first 6 months there was a shooting in our front yard. Praise God no one was hurt. It was just a random road rage incident. A couple months later in July my daughters and my family really began to experience racism from several of our neighbors. It got to the point where my daughters were afraid to play out in their own yard because of threats from neighborhood kids. We also experienced vandalism and kids snooping in our cars and on our back porch. I was forced to install security cameras and an alarm system.
It all came to a head when in September (1 year after we bought our house) we had to call the police 3 times in the same night. The first time being when we noticed an attempted break in to our living room window. The second was when there was a huge brawl across the street. We eventually made our way to bed just to be woken up at 2 in the morning by several gun shots ringing out again in our front yard. Again no one was hurt but that was it. I was moving my family out of this neighborhood. BUT. He (God) was not going to let me. My house was 15 thousand dollars under water and we could not afford 2 payments.
Hey you, I'm talking to you
It took a few months before I realized that God was trying to tell me something. When it finally hit me it was like a Mack truck. He was saying "I put you here for a reason. I want you to see the sad shape Racine is in. Most of these people don't know me and I want you to introduce us." My first response was "why me? I am a new Christian. Why on earth would you want me?'
I began to pray about it and seek counsel and The Lord just began to provide for what it was he wanted me to do. My job is to provide a place that can be used to bring the gospel to the people of Racine through the use of food, music, games and the hearts of people that just love to serve their Lord. We have held 2 free festivals at North Beach and have seen 200 people come to Christ. Praise God. There will be more but right now the next step if finding local churches that have the same servants heart that will be willing to help new Christians grow in their faith. Is that your church?
M.A.D. In the Streets was developed in 2008 when the Lord showed me that there was a severe need in Racine. My wife and I bought our first home in Racine in September of 2007 when she, who was from Kenosha and I who was from Milwaukee began looking for a home somewhere in the middle.We spent over 2 years looking at houses but were never satisfied with what we found.
We must have looked at about 20 to 30 houses. In June of 2007 we came across this one house and there was no doubt about it, we had found the house for us. There really was nothing special about it. It was old, needed a lot of work and it wasn't in the greatest of neighborhoods but it was like it was meant to be. That house was ours.
We are shown the need
Within the first 6 months there was a shooting in our front yard. Praise God no one was hurt. It was just a random road rage incident. A couple months later in July my daughters and my family really began to experience racism from several of our neighbors. It got to the point where my daughters were afraid to play out in their own yard because of threats from neighborhood kids. We also experienced vandalism and kids snooping in our cars and on our back porch. I was forced to install security cameras and an alarm system.
It all came to a head when in September (1 year after we bought our house) we had to call the police 3 times in the same night. The first time being when we noticed an attempted break in to our living room window. The second was when there was a huge brawl across the street. We eventually made our way to bed just to be woken up at 2 in the morning by several gun shots ringing out again in our front yard. Again no one was hurt but that was it. I was moving my family out of this neighborhood. BUT. He (God) was not going to let me. My house was 15 thousand dollars under water and we could not afford 2 payments.
Hey you, I'm talking to you
It took a few months before I realized that God was trying to tell me something. When it finally hit me it was like a Mack truck. He was saying "I put you here for a reason. I want you to see the sad shape Racine is in. Most of these people don't know me and I want you to introduce us." My first response was "why me? I am a new Christian. Why on earth would you want me?'
I began to pray about it and seek counsel and The Lord just began to provide for what it was he wanted me to do. My job is to provide a place that can be used to bring the gospel to the people of Racine through the use of food, music, games and the hearts of people that just love to serve their Lord. We have held 2 free festivals at North Beach and have seen 200 people come to Christ. Praise God. There will be more but right now the next step if finding local churches that have the same servants heart that will be willing to help new Christians grow in their faith. Is that your church?
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M.A.D. in the Streets
P.O. Box 081282
Racine WI 53408-1282
M.A.D. in the Streets
P.O. Box 081282
Racine WI 53408-1282