Real Hope in Chicago [Paperback]

Wayne L. Gordon (Author), Randall Frame (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 1995

When Wayne Gordon and his wife started a Bible study for high school kids in North Lawndale, Chicago, people warned them that a white couple moving into a black neighborhood as a recipe for disaster. That was twenty-five years ago. Today, what began as the Gordons' seedling Bible study has become the Lawndale Community Church. It has a staff of 150, has renovated more than 100 local apartments, has helped more than 50 young people graduate from college, runs a medical clinic that treated 50,000 patients in 1994, and has become a vital part of rebuilding an inner-city neighborhood into a community of faith and hope. Real Hope in Chicago is Wayne Gordon's inspiring account of how people, white and black, rich and poor, old and young, worked together to transform a decaying neighborhood into a place where love is lived out in practical and miraculous ways. It offers an exciting model for interracial cooperation, urban-suburban church partnering--and real hope for the inner cities of our nation.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

When Wayne Gordon and his wife started a Bible study for high school kids in North Lawndale, Chicago, people warned them that a white couple moving into a black neighborhood as a recipe for disaster. That was twenty-five years ago. Today, what began as the Gordons' seedling Bible study has become the Lawndale Community Church. It has a staff of 150, has renovated more than 100 local apartments, has helped more than 50 young people graduate from college, runs a medical clinic that treated 50,000 patients in 1994, and has become a vital part of rebuilding an inner-city neighborhood into a community of faith and hope. Real Hope in Chicago is Wayne Gordon's inspiring account of how people, white and black, rich and poor, old and young, worked together to transform a decaying neighborhood into a place where love is lived out in practical and miraculous ways. It offers an exciting model for interracial cooperation, urban-suburban church partnering--and real hope for the inner cities of our nation.

About the Author

Wayne L. Gordon moved with his wife to North Lawndale in 1970 and founded the Lawndale Community Church, which he currently co-pastors with Carey Casey. He founded the Christian Community Development Association with John Perkins. He is co-author of Standing Fats: Ministry in an Unfriendly World.

Randall Frame is director of communications for Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and senior writer for Christianity Today magazine.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 5, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310205530
• ISBN-13: 978-0310205531
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Wayne L. Gordon moved with his wife to North Lawndale in 1970 and founded the Lawndale Community Church, which he currently co-pastors with Carey Casey. He founded the Christian Community Development Association with John Perkins. He is co-author of Standing Fats: Ministry in an Unfriendly World.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Ministry, February 14, 2002

By 

Catherine B. Curtis (Mechanicsville,, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Real Hope in Chicago (Paperback)

I read this book and wanted to cry. I asked the Lord where is this kind of true, loving, caring ministry today? Whatever the Lord has sent me to read, he will use. My husband and I are now in a one-year old ministry. I hope to use this book as a model of love and caring for the people of God. I have done much reading on what goes on in ministry for those who name the name of Jesus Christ and I have come away sorely discouraged and disappointed. I have given this work to our ministry leaders and asked them to read it! The comments from those who read it were truly blessed by this man's work and obedience to God. To think that his work started with a "washing machine"; just meeting the needs of God's people, opened a great door of ministry in Chicago. I truly love this work! I have never met the author, but his work has greatly influenced what we will do in our ministry for God. He that has begun a good work... I tell our leaders that this is the spirit we are endeavoring to have in our minstry at Christ's Church. Thank you for sharing his story and carrying this resource.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars inspirational story of a revitalized neighborhood, August 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Real Hope in Chicago (Paperback)

The narratives in this book will tug at your heart and inspire action in a time of easy inertia. Wayne Gordon has created a special community by developing leadership from within, supporting basic needs within his neighborhood and valuing each individual for who he or she is. The various profiles are moving and show clearly that there is "real hope" not only for Chicago, but for the rest of our nation as well.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A World Without Color Barriers!, August 9, 2001

By 

Bill Fyffe Jr. (Austin Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real Hope in Chicago (Paperback)

How can a white man go into an all black neighborhood and change the community? Wayne Gordon felt the calling of God to leave his comfort zone and step out into a community with little hope. He dared to break the wall of racial prejudice and strife in one of the toughest inner-city areas of the nation. It is a story of hope that will motivate you to accomplish the seemingly impossible and to trust in the God who can make it happen. Simply amazing!