September 2010
Hope Initiative Brings Change to Tuscaloosa. "Let's take it to the next level," were the challenging words from Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox at the 2010 Hope Initiative lunch. The Mayor was referring to the faith component of the Hope Initiative, which is partnering with city government to focus people and resources on high crime areas in the city. More than 100 pastors and Christian leaders came to hear an update on the progress of the outreach and to hear from Mayor Maddox and Chief of Police Steve Anderson. Chief Anderson reported that crime is down in most of the highest crime, poverty, and blight areas targeted two years ago. He attributed this to the increased efforts of city government working together with the Christian community.

August 2010
About 500 people in Tuscaloosa are committed to a daily Pray-Care-Share lifestyle and about 50 people have made new commitments to Christ so far this year! The Tuscaloosa Prayer Network reports involvement from 50 congregations, 5 ministry organizations and 10 marketplace groups.
     The HOPE Initiative is being extended into the city of Northport with the cooperation of Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon and his staff -- a significant step for this community.
     In the Alberta area, the Police Athletic League (PAL) program is working with the churches to help provide athletic, recreational, and educational opportunities that help build trust between police officers and the young people of tohe area.

March 2010
The Tuscaloosa Prayer Network is a group of pastors and ministers who believe that in order to achieve God's purpose in their city they must move toward unity among Christians across lines of denomination, race, and culture. The projects planned are designed with unity in mind, and leaders desire to see a continual increase of God's presence and blessing in the city as a result. Tuscaloosa's Mayor Walt Maddox has solicited Christians in the area to partner with city officials to give time and resources to the high crime areas of the city, to bring about change in these communities. Some of the ReachOut groups have started after-school tutoring and Bible studies. A major outreach event in the University of Alabama coliseum (20,000 capacity) is planned for May for young people from the whole state of Alabama with Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. The Tuscaloosa Prayer Network is training and mobilizing evangelistic counselors for this event.

August 2009 Connecting with Neighbors
More people at the grass roots level are getting involved in Loving Our Communities to Christ in Tuscaloosa. Multiple congregations are partnering with loving outreach and a prayer-care-share approach to their communities. The Rosedale neighborhood launched Adopt a Neighborhood with a block party in June, calling it Rosedale SummerFest. The day after the Rosedale SummerFest, a young man who participated came forward in the Bailey Tabernacle to receive Christ. In addition, many of the neighborhoods are moving forward with active prayerwalking, expressions of care via other block parties, and intentional building of relationships with local residents. Find out more about Loving Our Communities to Christ on the MAC website.

November 2009
 
  • Alabama Updates