magazine

A quarterly

publication

of 4Tucson

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Winter 2014

A Brighter Tucson in 2015

Seeking Changein Juvenile JusticeHow Christian churchescan stand in the gap

Bringing Tucson's poor andless fortunate into focus

Creating a City MentalityIn which church do you participate?

Taking the Next Step

Answer the Call!Government: "Christians,

we need your help…"

Cover photo by Sue Johnson

What is 4Tucson?

The mission of 4Tucson is to partner with every sector anddomain of society based on common love, common goals and thecommon good to make Tucson one of the most livable cities in theworld, allowing each partner to determine what part it should play.

We see the Christian church engaged in the needs and dreamsof Tucson, serving as a catalyst to bring about spiritual andsocietal transformation for the prosperity of the entire community.

Visit 4tucson.com to see our Statement of Faith.

What are Domains?

Our society illustrates change through one of three primarysectors: Public, Private, or Social. 4Tucson has taken those threesectors and identified 12 specific areas of influence within our city.Those areas of influence we call Domains.

Our city is made up of groups of people within Domains whohave expertise and unique knowledge in a variety of subjects. Eachperson within a Domain will tend to view a specific problem fromhis or her own perspective. For example, if our specific problemwere homelessness, someone in the Education Domain maybelieve the solution is more education. A professional in theHealthcare Domain may believe the solution revolves arounddealing with mental illness, while a leader in the Business Domainmay see the problem as a lack of motivation or opportunity.Individually, these views are not the solution to the problem ofhomelessness—but collectively, each holds a piece to the answerto discovering a real and sustainable solution.

Our purpose is to identify difficult problems within the city andbring the expertise of people from a wide variety of backgroundsto focus together to discover and implement long-term solutions.

Each Domain has a Domain Director who coordinates theprograms and projects that create solutions to problemsencountered within that Domain. Visit 4tucson.com to see a fulllisting and detail on each Domain Director.

Advertise in 4Tucson Magazine

Contact Paul Charette at (520) 465-7708 for rates and a personalconsultation.

In This Issue…

Justice Domain—Seeking Changein Juvenile JusticeHow Christian churches can stand in the gap

Social Services Domain—Taking the Next StepBringing Tucson’s poor and less fortunate into focus

Healthcare Domain—You Are Their SunshineBringing your love into the lives of the elderly

Feature—National Day of Prayer 2015Veronica Acosta provides servant leadership for local effort

Prayer Domain—Creating a Prayer CulturePrayer leadership training launches

Government Domain—Positions of InfluenceMaking a difference serving on boards and commissions

Business Domain—Visionary Strategiesfor Business OwnersHelping businesses adopt a Christian worldview

Feature—Strong Families, Strong CommunityA.C. Green highlights Vail Family Conference Night

Education Domain—Thanksgiving Fall Feastfor FamiliesA community effort to bless Flowing Wells families

Media & Arts Domain—Building the KingdomThrough WorshipPreview: 2015 Tucson Worship Conference

Church Domain—Creating a City MentalityIn which church do you participate?

Philanthropy Domain—Vital PartnersJoining together for stories of success to His glory

4Tucson Executive Director Mark Harris– Answer the Call!Government: “Christians, we need your help…”

All writers are members of the Writers 4Tucson Team serving under the Media/Arts Domain and Domain LeaderFrancine Rienstra. Writers contributing to this issue are Suzette Howe, Andrea Arthur Owan, Emily Pearson, Janis VanKeuren, Meg Villanueva, Kathy Watson, and Lily Winchester. Editor and Writers 4Tucson Team Leader is AdamColwell. Graphic Design is by Caryn Metcalf. Proofreading is by Andrea Arthur Owan and Meg Villanueva. ProjectManagement and Production is by Adam Colwell’s WriteWorks.

4Tucson Magazine Winter 20144Tucson Magazine is published quarterly and distributed free of charge online at 4tucson.com and in newsprint.Copyright 2014, all rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted by any means withoutconsent of 4Tucson. No unsolicited material is accepted for publication. 4Tucson is located at 5151 E. Broadway Blvd.,Suite 1600, Tucson, AZ 85711.

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Seeking Change in Juvenile JusticeHow Christian churches can stand in the gap • by Lily Winchester

Arizona’s foster care system has witnessed a major, ongoing problem thatat times seems to be worsening. One aspect of that problem is the JuvenileAdjudication system. Richard Luff, 4Tucson Justice Domain Director, hopes afew changes to the system will improve the process and the foster care systemas a whole.

“The system needs fixing,” Luff said. “And there are several different waysthat you can attack it.”

Dependency is just one part of a two-part process, and it needs the mosthelp. Dependency involves removing children from their home environmentwhen either one or both of their parents are accused of wrongdoing. Duringthis process, the Department of Child Safety (DCS), formerly known as ChildProtective Services, removes children from their home and places them intemporary protective care.

At this point, Luff said, one of two phases begins. First, the reunificationplan offers the parents and children special services in the hope of reunitingthe family. This process can last 15 months or longer. If the case does notprogress quickly enough, DCS will then move to the second phase: theseverance plan.

It’s at this juncture that Luff says changes need to be made. The problemlies with the multiple reports submitted to the judge—the sole presider of thecase—regarding the parents’ activities and the children’s progress. Having ajudge function as the sole presider is not allowed in other types of judicialproceedings.

Luff suggests that, at this point, a new judge—with no knowledge of thecase—should take over to bring a fresh look to the proceedings.

“The problem with the system is the judge,” Luff said. “The judge gets soconvinced from the reports that he makes up his mind before that severancetrial even comes.”

He also suggests that a jury be put in place at a severance trial. He arguesthat a jury of common Americans who understand the hardships of raising afamily would be more able to identify with the plight of the family facingseverance than the judge on the bench making $180,000 a year.

Both changing a judge and the implementation of a jury in severance trialswill require the formation of a committee comprised of attorneys and judgesand a petition submitted to the Supreme Court of Arizona.

The second part of the Juvenile Adjudication system is delinquency. Thisoccurs when juveniles are charged with a crime and are sent to juvenile court.Though this process can be chaotic, it is tolerable for the time being.

The change Luff would like to implement in both the dependency anddelinquency areas is the involvement of the church. Even though there tends tobe immunity toward church involvement in the government arena, Luffbelieves that if a relationship is built between the church and the DCS, thechurch could be allowed to provide assistance both for families movingthrough the dependency process and for delinquent youth searching forsomeone to fight for them.

“DCS probably will not want these things,” Luff said. “But they are sodesperate and they are so broken that I think that they are at a point where theywill try just about anything.”

Luff would also like to see more church intervention at the beginning—before DCS ever gets involved—to help strengthen and support the familyin crisis so they can succeed.

Lily Winchester is a third generation Arizona Wildcat, graduating in 2010 witha BA in Journalism. Her passion is to inform people with the truth. Sheis also very involved in her church and its ministries.

4Tucson Magazine 3

Taking theNext StepBringing Tucson's poor

& less fortunate into focusby Lily Winchester

Since joining 4Tucson in February, Social Services Domain Director ArthurTigney has spent the past several months addressing the vast problemsencompassing foster care in Arizona. With the year coming to an end, Tigneyis now setting his sights on the next step his domain will take in the citytransformation process.

“There is an epidemic in our city as it relates to those who are poor and lessfortunate in needing services,” Tigney said. “It is in my heart that this is anarea of focus that we as a city have to also address so that we can moreeffectively address the needs of those we are servicing.”

To confront issues of poverty, homelessness, addiction and many similarproblems, Tigney is working with the Roy Tullgren III, Executive Director ofthe Gospel Rescue Mission (GRM), the leading supplier of shelters, clothes,food, and other resources to the less fortunate in Tucson. But GRM also hasneeds that go unmet, such as kitchen volunteers, tutors for children, and prayerpartners. If they have needs, other Tucson organizations must have similarneeds as well.

Tigney’s first plan of action is to identify key players who alreadyprovide for the poor and less fortunate. With Tullgren’s help, Tigney hopesto bring these existing agencies and networks together to learn what servicesare already being provided. The next step is to discover the gaps and areasof lack. Lastly, they will decide how to effectively fill those gaps.

One problem Tigney wants to remedy is the “Lone Ranger” mentalityprevalent in our society. His plan is to create synergy between the agenciesto produce more effective results.

“What we often do in our city is this: everyone has the same vision or avision that is similar, and instead of collaborating, we just begin to createour own,” Tigney said. “The goal is not necessarily to start anothernonprofit but to connect people with organizations that are effectivelyrunning and then help them to help those organizations.”

Once key players have been identified, Tigney wants to connect themwith people who desire to be involved and find ways for them to assist notjust GRM, but also any other existing agencies.

In looking at improvements needed in this area, Tigney believes it isprobable that job and training programs will be necessary to helpindividuals get on their feet. However, he is not just looking at the presentproblems and trying to find a solution; he is also looking to the future—tosolve this issue in its entirety. Tigney hopes that through collaboration tofind answers to those questions, he will gain more knowledge and be betterequipped to find solutions.

“You don’t know what you don’t know,” Tigney said. “And I’m hopingto discover what I don’t know.”

Anyone who has a passion for the city’s poor and less fortunate isencouraged to contact Tigney about how to get involved and be a part of theeffort to revive Tucson.

Lily Winchester is a third generation Arizona Wildcat, graduating in 2010with a BA in Journalism. Her passion is to inform people with the truth. Sheis also very involved in her church and its ministries.4 4Tucson Magazine

You Are Their SunshineBringing your love into the lives of the elderly

by Meg Villanueva

Tucson is a haven for the elderly. People come because of the beautifulweather, desert scenery, and products and services that cater to people in theirtwilight years. Unfortunately, those years are often lonely, as the loss of aspouse or decreased mobility makes it impossible for the person to get out anddo the things they did before—like go to church. This often means the elderlyperson is left without family and friends, and they lose their social structure.

The isolation doesn’t happen overnight. As a person declines, he tends towithdraw. Moving into a nursing home can be a great thing because theindividual is moving into a community. Russell Burns, director of 4Tucson’sHealthcare Domain, says that moving to an assisted living community mighteven be better for the elderly person than to continue living at home withprivate caregivers. “Studies show that if people are isolated and don’t havecontact with other people every day, it’s almost like smoking a pack ofcigarettes a day. It’s very bad for your health and your cognition.”

And working with the elderly is a rewarding experience. Most have gonethrough some type of catechism and have a religious background, and they areopen to others who come to minister. They haven’t forgotten the hymns andlessons of their youth and are eager for someone to come and sing to them orpray with them.

Senior citizens also need to be touched. A hand on a shoulder or a hug isessential to those living in assisted care. Because some people areuncomfortable in hospital or nursing home environments, they might havedifficulty relating to the elderly and may act unfriendly toward them in thosesettings. Or there might be a slight odor because the elder person isincontinent, or they might feel awkward interacting with someone who seems

physically frail. But the elderly appreciate the efforts people make to reach outto them and are grateful.

To get involved in elder care, contact the activities director at a nearbyfacility. The director there can organize a time for an activity—like a churchservice, caroling or serving meals. The elderly also appreciate visits during theholidays, especially on the day itself. You might be the only person who visitsthem that day. You can minister by bringing cheer and love to these people.

Burns sums up the importance of caring for the elderly with this story: Whenhe and his wife were first married, they were invited to care for the elderly inan assisted living home. One of the residents, an elderly man, needed to bebathed every day. Burns found himself in the bathroom with an older Christianlady and this elderly man. He felt overwhelmed and humiliated. As the man satin a shower chair, Burns started to wash his feet. “I remember feeling that Godspoke to me and said, ‘This is how you wash my feet.’ It’s always stayed withme, and I believe that as we minister and love and touch these people, it is likewe’re ministering to Christ Himself.”

If you’re interested in healthcare and the health challenges in our city, Burnsis establishing a team in the 4Tucson Healthcare Domain that will work to findsolutions for the community. You don’t have to be a healthcare worker. Youjust have to have faith. If you’re interested in joining the team or finding anursing home facility near you, email Russell Burns at Russell@4Tucson.com.

Meg Villanueva is a published author, poet, and inspirational speaker on thesubject of wholeness. Learn more about Meg at megvillanueva.com.

National Dayof PrayerNeeds You!Veronica Acosta provides servant

leadership for local effortby Adam Colwell

Tucson resident Veronica Acosta seeks your help with the Pima County

National Day of Prayer. Photo by Chloe Carlson

Veronica Acosta is just like anyone else you’d meet next door. Busy withher family, she goes from one event to another for her children, balancing itall with a full-time job. She’s also a Christian who loves the Lord with allher heart and displays that love in how she interacts with others and in whatshe does to practice her faith.

At the center of that life of faith is prayer.

“I have a passion for prayer and for being in the will and presence ofGod,” she said. “We need God to move in a mighty way.”

It’s no wonder, then, that Acosta has added to her responsibilities a roleas coordinator for the Pima County National Day of Prayer in connectionwith the countrywide National Day of Prayer effort. In 2015, the sixty-fourth annual National Day of Prayer will take place Thursday, May 7, andAcosta is both excited and in need of help from the Christian community.

“We have a number of open positions that need to be filled,” she said.“We need event liaisons who come to our meetings once a month and arethe direct contact with the various Concert of Prayer site locations. I need asecretary to take meeting minutes and help with the agendas. I need aConcert of Prayer coordinator assistant to help and go to meetings I can’tattend.”

In 2014, there were 19 Concert of Prayer events in Tucson and PimaCounty as well as a youth event. In their first meeting in November todiscuss 2015 activities, Acosta and her existing team discussed thepossibility of having a main event in downtown Tucson, as well as ways toget more residents involved. “We’re trying to target strategic areas of ourcity so people can more easily come together in unity. That’s where ourheart is.”

The National Day of Prayer provides resources to help each Concert ofPrayer location tailor their event or service as they desire and as God leadsthem. The Pima County National Day of Prayer liaison helps the leader atthose events plan their Concert of Prayer and ensure it occurs successfully.The theme for the 2015 National Day of Prayer is “Lord, Hear Our Cry”with 1 Kings 8:28 serving as the theme scripture: “Hear the cry and theprayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” Dr. JackGraham is the 2015 Honorary Chairman.

To meet Veronica Acosta and get involved in the Pima County NationalDay of Prayer, call 520-419-9744 or email Veronica at vacostandp@aol.com.

Adam Colwell is owner of Adam Colwell’s WriteWorks in Tucson, AZ andserves 4Tucson in various capacities.

“We need event liaisons who come to our

meetings once a month and are the direct

contact with the various Concert of Prayer site

locations. I need a secretary to take meeting

minutes and help with the agendas. I need a

Concert of Prayer coordinator assistant to help

and go to meetings I can’t attend.”

- Veronica Acosta

5 4Tucson Magazine

Creating a Prayer CulturePrayer leadership training launches • by Suzette Howe

What a wonderful way to begin a weekend: gathered together with otherswho are passionate about prayer and the relationship it creates with ourHeavenly Father.

That type of gathering will occur when 4Tucson and GAP Ministries hosts aspecial time for prayer leaders in our community in February 2015—to receiveequipping, training, resources and inspiration in order to more effectivelyfulfill their roles as prayer leaders.

Those in attendance will be given the opportunity to hear special guestspeakers Matt Merrill of GAP Ministries and 4Tucson’s Prayer Domain LeaderBrian Goodall. During the event, each person will be asked to allow God—through His Spirit—to personally speak into his or her heart words ofencouragement, direction and guidance for His greater plan for their life.Goodall will lead everyone in worship and attendees will have opportunitiesfor response, reflection and personal prayer, self-evaluation and focusedsessions on prayer strategies.

Goodall is excited about the opportunity to equip congregations with moreprayer resources. “I believe that most churches want a thriving prayer ministrybut many don’t know where to start,” he said. “Our hope is that we can offerpractical tools that will rejuvenate enthusiasm and provide solutions foreffective leadership in prayer groups. We see prayer as a tremendous gift and ameans in which we get to practically live out the command to love God andlove others.”

Merrill and Goodall agree that leadership training in prayer is vital andshould be ongoing; that God has a heart for prayer leaders, to train and equip

them as they work in the trenches. To do that training and equipping, the twohave developed specific tools and resources to allow leaders to learn, and thenreturn to their churches and organizations to implement passion and a vision ofwhat God can do through corporate prayer, small groups, and personalrelationships with the gift of prayer. Training sessions and materials have beenestablished from their combined years of prayer leadership experience,working in the trenches, and learning from other prayer leaders.

“We need to prepare leaders, not to give up on corporate prayer. It may bedifficult, but we need to bring a fresh, higher vision of the power of focused,effective corporate prayer and the need of leadership in this arena,” Merrillsaid. “Prayer leaders are necessary to the body of Christ, and—like we honorour pastors—we need a place to honor, encourage and pray for those who arehumbly and boldly carrying the torch of prayer.”

Together, Goodall and Merrill are aiming to create and nurture a prayerculture in Tucson. They believe prayer leaders need to be equipped in order tofacilitate the larger vision for corporate unity.

To become part of this powerful leadership prayer movement happening inTucson, so that the community—and possibly the nation—may betransformed, download your own Prayer Leadership Training resources. EmailMatt Merrill at matt.merrill@gapmin.com for the link.

Suzette Howe develops marketing and graphic materials, promotionalcampaigns, image branding and product displays. She is married, has threechildren and lives in Tucson, AZ.

4Tucson Magazine 7

Positions of InfluenceMake a direct difference by serving on boardsand commissions • by Adam Colwell with Kathy Watson

City of Tucson Boards and Commissionshttp://clerks.tucsonaz.gov/clerks/boards

Current Boards and Commissions:

2012 Bond Oversight Commission (BOC)Addiction, Prevention, and Treatment, Pima County - City of Tucson Commission on (CAPT)Armory Park Historic Zone Advisory Board (APHZAB)Barrio Historico Historic Zone Advisory Board (BHHZAB)Bicycle Advisory Committee, Tucson-Pima County (TPCBAC)Board of Adjustment (BAJ)Board of Commissioners Public Housing Authority (BCPHA)Bond Project Advisory Committee (BPAC)Broadway Boulevard Citizens Planning Task Force (BBTF)Charter Review Committee (CRC)City Manager Appointment Advisory Committee (CMAAC)Civil Service Commission (CSC)Climate Change Committee (CCC)Commission on Disability Issues (CODI)Consolidated Code Committee, Tucson-Pima County Joint (TPCJCC)Convention Center Commission, Tucson (TCCC)Deferred Compensation Plan Management Board, City of Tucson (CEDCMB)Design Review Board (DRB)Downtown Links Citizen Advisory Committee (DLCAC)Economic and Workforce Development Selection Committee (EWDSC)El Presidio Historic Zone Advisory Board (EPHZAB)Environmental Services Advisory Committee (ESAC)Fire Code Review Committee (FCRC)Fire Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Board, Tucson (TFPSPRSB)Fort Lowell Historic Zone Advisory Board (FLHZAB)Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues, Tucson Commission (GLBT)Grant Road Corridor Planning Task Force (GRCPTF)Greens Committee, Tucson (TGC)Historical Commission, Tucson-Pima County (TPCHC)Human Relations Commission (HRC)Independent Audit and Performance Commission (IAPC)Industrial Development Authority (IDA)Kino-22nd Roadway Development Citizen Advisory Committee (Kino-22nd CAC)Kolb/Sabino Canyon Road Connection Task Force (KSRTF)Landscape Advisory Committee (LAC)Magistrates Merit Selection Commission, City (CMMSC)Metropolitan Education Commission (MEC)Metropolitan Energy Commission, Tucson-Pima County (TPCMEC)Metropolitan Housing Commission (MHC)Outdoor Lighting Code Committee (OLCC)Parks and Recreation Commission, Tucson (TPRC)ParkWise Commission (PWC)Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC)Planning Commission (PC)Police Advisory Review Board, Citizen (CPARB)Police Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Board, Tucson (TPPSPRSB)Public Art and Community Design Committee (PACDC)Resource Planning Advisory Committee (RPAC)Rodeo Grounds/Parade Citizens’ Oversight Committee, TucsonSelf Insurance Trust Fund Board of Trustees (TRUST)Sign Code Advisory and Appeals Board (SCAAB)Sign Code Committee, Citizen (CSCC)Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Commission (SMWBC)Transit Task Force (TTF)Transportation Advisory Committee, Citizen (CTAC)Tucson Supplemental Retirement System Board of Trustees (TSRS)Veterans’ Affairs Committee (VAC)Water Advisory Committee, Citizens’ (CWAC)Water Service Area Review Board (WSARB)West University Historic Zone Advisory Board (WUHZAB)Women’s Commission, Pima County/Tucson (PCTWC)Zoning Examiner Meetings

Pima County: http://webcms.pima.gov/government/clerk_of_the_board/boards_commissions_and_committeesOro Valley: http://www.orovalleyaz.gov/town/departments/town-clerk/boards-and-commissionsMarana: http://www.marana.com/1267/Information-on-Boards-and-CommissionsSahuarita: http://sahuaritaaz.gov/index.aspx?NID=258

You desire to be involved in government. You’ve educated yourself(perhaps by attending one of the Government Domain’s Constitutionclasses or participating in the Truth Project) and you are committed toexercise your right to vote. Yet you don’t have time or desire to actuallyrun for office or work on a political campaign. What else can you do?

You can join one of the hundreds of boards and commissionsoperating in Tucson and Pima County – and have a more personal, directimpact than you may think.

“There are so many advisory boards and commissions that helpelected officials make decisions,” said Government Domain DirectorPaul Parisi. “Elected officials are seeking guidance from the electorate,and if the majority of people in the electorate identify themselves asChristians, then we should be serving as Christians and seeking God’sguidance.”

“By looking at what opportunities are available in Tucson andSouthern Arizona, you can serve on one of these boards or commissionsso that godly people will be in positions of influence to advise ourelected people. This is a formal and good way to help,” Parisi said.

Prior to his involvement with 4Tucson, Parisi spent six years servingon the Oro Valley Board of Adjustment. “I prayed that God would giveme discernment on the decisions that needed to be made. I prayed for theofficials and leaders,” Parisi said. “We were able to make adjustment onthe zoning code for people that fit the legal criteria. It was rewarding tobe able to help people in the community and give proper advice to thecouncil.”

In the City of Tucson alone, there are over 60 boards or commissionswith over 600 active members, and other opportunities depending onwhere you live (see sidebar). Parisi says you simply fill out anapplication, then staff will consider your application and recommend youfor service, and leadership will decide whether or not to appoint you. Agreat way to start before applying, he suggests, is to go and attend ameeting of a government entity that you are interested in and see howGod leads you.

“We know that if God has given us talents, this is a logical way toexercise our gifts and voice and bless our government,” Parisi said. “Wecan see the chaos going on and our God is not a God of chaos. By havingChristians participate in the system, we can bring order to chaos. We doit by praying, by hearing God’s voice, and then doing what God tells usto do.”

Adam Colwell is owner of Adam Colwell’s WriteWorks in Tucson, AZand serves 4Tucson in various capacities. Kathy Watson performed theinterview for this article.

8 4Tucson Magazine

Visionary Strategizesfor Business Owners

Helping businesses adopt a Christian worldview • by Janis Van Keuren

For the last few years, the hot topic in Christian publications, articles, anddocuments has been “How do business owners incorporate their biblicalprinciples into the everyday operation of their secular companies?” 4TucsonBusiness Domain Director Tony Simms possesses an answer to that businessdilemma through a program that has been under development for the past twoyears.

“As Christians, we derive our understanding of life from the Bible,” saidSimms. “So when we talk about worldview, we are filtering everything we comein contact with through a biblical perspective. As a business owner, you startlooking for those principles God would have you set up in operating yourcompany—everything from managing and caring for the people you employ,to the products, services and programs you deliver, as well as the money yougenerate.”

Simms, a mastermind at strategic planning, designed a program that includesmentoring with a curriculum package, marketing materials to attract interestedclientele, and a seminar introducing the program to business owners and youngentrepreneurs intent on establishing a Christian worldview as the foundation oftheir businesses.

Before Simms joined 4Tucson in 2013, he had his hands full directing threenon-profit organizations geared to improving life at different levels within theTucson community. Last year, a 4Tucson partner recognized Simms’ potentialand suggested he meet Mark Harris, 4Tucson’s Executive Director. This meetingof two visionary minds with the same goal—to see God at work in Tucson—resulted in Simms volunteering to be the Business Domain director.

Gradually, Simms engaged his strategic planning skills. He consideredprogram and domain goals, the infrastructure needed to achieve those objectives,and how to accomplish them operationally.

Currently, Simms is focused on fellowshipping with other domains throughtheir monthly meetings and providing speakers from Tucson government,chambers of commerce, and the business sector to share their years ofknowledge in how to set up businesses, acquire customers, and interact withgovernment.

“So far, those who have attended the meetings are connected to me or4Tucson in some way,” he said.

Expanding community outreach will roll out in stages, with an eye tocompletion in mid-2015. First is the recruitment of mentors; second, thedevelopment of curriculum; third, production of marketing materials; fourth,establishment of a seminar; and finally, the recruitment of mentees.

Once the program is marketed to the public, a one-day seminar willintroduce potential mentees to the curriculum’s core principles. In thebeginning, 4Tucson will recruit about 30 business owners or entrepreneursper seminar.

“I think 4Tucson’s more experienced business owners could be mentors,”Simms said. “We want to teach business strategies and principles—finance,accounting, marketing, product development, customer service, and qualitymanagement of employees regarding compensation packages, time off, andvacation packages,” Simms said. “How we treat our employees is a biblicalconcept.”

The mentoring curriculum will be spread out over five to ten weeks. Howhas Simms acquired his depth of experience? “Through many failures,” hesays with a laugh. He draws on his 15 years of business experience, time spentdeveloping a mentoring program for youth, consulting manuals he has writtenfor other businesses, his master’s degree in Business Administration, and thehelp of those willing to mentor him.

“We believe in the vision that has beencast, and we believe God has equipped eachof us with some special gift to contribute tothat,” Simms said. “That’s why we keepshowing up: to share the gift God has givenus and to see where God takes it.”

Janis Van Keuren is a freelance writer whohas authored stories and devotionalsappearing in Christian publications and ananthology. She also writes her own blog,“Heart-Filled Moments” atheartfilledmoments.com

Tucson businesses set to shine

from Tony Simms’ visionary input.

Photo by Sue Johnson

Strong Families,Strong CommunityA.C. Green highlightsVail Family Conference Nightby Andrea Arthur Owan

The Vail School District motto is, “Where Education is a Community Effort.”Fifteen years ago, Vail School District Superintendent Cal Baker set out to putteeth into the motto.

Because he had a desire to connect with other community leaders, he startedby reaching out to the local churches, some of which were using Vail schools formeeting and worship.

When Baker began having quarterly meetings with pastors, he quicklydiscovered they had one goal in common: building strong families and a strongcommunity. Discussion ensued about what each of them was doing to promote it.Then the question arose: What they could do together?

They arrived at an idea to do something highly visible to the community. Thusbegan the Vail Family Conference Night.

The annual event—which takes a year for school district staff and local churchofficials to plan—has hosted many popular speakers, including Tucsonpsychologist and New York Times Bestselling author Dr. Kevin Leman, andsocial entrepreneur Wes Moore.

This year’s event, held August 21 at Cienaga High School, hosted formerNational Basketball Association Champion A.C. Green, Jr. Green, who played16 years in the NBA without missing a game and who heads the A.C. GreenYouth Foundation, addressed the audience about hard work, spirituality andcharacter, traits he said he first learned from his parents.

As a 14-year-old sophomore, Green said he didn’t have a vision of doinganything in life. He was the class clown and happy with being mediocre. Thenthe high school basketball coach approached Green and pointedly told him that ifhe applied himself he could make the varsity team. Green said that encounter wasa major turning point in his life.

While A.C. Green is an evangelical Christian famous for promoting abstinencefrom sex until marriage, he believes abstinence is a word that defines a decisionto make, one of the decisions made today that affect tomorrow. He pointed outthat it’s also necessary to abstain “from being a jerk,” and abstain from allowingpeer pressure to guide your life. He said “peer pressure is only pressure if youthink it is and you make it to be pressure. A lot of peer pressure is psychological.Turn it into something positive.”

Green spoke directly to the parents in the audience when he told them to lovetheir kids whether they make it or miss it and be there at the end. To the kids inthe audience, he said to get the job done, sacrifice, and make the effort. Greennoted that as an NBA Ambassador, he travels the world, and all of hisinterpreters tell him the same thing: parents and schools want kids to learn tovalue parents, teachers and one another.

Former NBA star A.C. Green speaks to students at Cienaga High

School in Vail. Photo by Sue Johnson

It was a message he expounded upon that morning with hundreds of VailSchool District Seniors at a special assembly. Green told the students to listento teachers and coaches, because they can see things in them they can’t seethemselves. He also pointed out “if you don’t have the character to sustainyour talent, you won’t have much at the end of the day. Character deficienciescan cause you to miss out on an opportunity.” Baker said a number of studentswere clearly impacted and encouraged by what the basketball great had to say.

Plans are underway for next year’s Family Conference Night.Superintendent Baker said that the format may change because of thecompetition they face from other activities parents and kids are involved in,but Vail School District and the local churches will continue to work togetherto build strong families and a strong community.

Andrea Arthur Owan is a freelance content writer, published author, speakerand public presentation specialist with over 40 years of experience. Connectwith her at andreaarthurowan@gmail.com or through her inspirational blog,“Broken Hearts, Redeemed.”

10 4Tucson Magazine

Flowing Wells and GAP Ministries collaborated to feed hungry families at Thanksgiving. Photo by Chloe Carlson

Thanksgiving Fall Feast for FamiliesA community effort to bless Flowing Wells families • by Emily Pearson

Enjoying a Thanksgiving meal is impossible for some families, but GAPMinistries and the Flowing Wells Unified School District are working togetherto change that.

On the Monday before Thanksgiving, a true feast was be held at FlowingWells High School for low-income families. Principals at each school in theFlowing Wells Unified School District determined which families were most inneed. Then, at the beginning of November, each school sent out 50 invitationsin both English and Spanish to those designated families. If a family did notreceive an invitation but wanted to attend, they were put on a list. “No one isturned away,” said Martha Petty, the Director of Flowing Wells ExtensionProgram.

The event was formed when GAP Ministries approached Petty with the ideato feed 1,000 people. Petty’s first thought was: “Are you serious?”

GAP Ministries, a faith-based nonprofit, has already partnered with FlowingWells schools on another program. This past summer, GAP’s food truckprovided dinner for kids on free and reduced-price lunch plans.

“It’s such an exciting partnership,” said Petty. “I don’t know what we woulddo without them.”

Partnerships between the school district and organizations like GAPMinistries, 4Tucson, and local churches are having a positive impact on thecommunity. “[The partnership] allows churches to love on people in our area,”said Bernadette Gruber, who—as 4Tucson’s Education Domain Director—ishelping to build relationships between churches and schools.

Loretta Bailey-Smith, GAP Ministries’ Executive Chef, was asked to

oversee the crucial and challenging task of preparing and cooking theenormous amount of food for the feast. She enlisted local Joint TechnicalEducation District culinary students to help her prepare the food for theanticipated crowd of 2,000 people—a process that took two weeks. On themenu were Thanksgiving classics like mashed potatoes, green beans, and—ofcourse—turkey.

The only things that might be more amazing than the sheer enormity of theFlowing Wells Thanksgiving banquet were the donations and volunteer effortsand the community’s response. “I was overwhelmed with how generouspeople are,” Petty said.

The food for the event comes almost entirely from donations. According toPetty, Jim Click donated $500 worth of gift cards to Fry’s grocery stores forturkeys and held a food drive for the feast. Other groups, like the OptimistClub, the Andrea Hart Foundation, and Tucson Church International providedgenerous donations as well. Tucson Electric Power donated lights to helpdecorate. Volunteers from area churches decorated tables and served familiesthe home-cooked meal while the Flowing Wells High School jazz band andorchestra provided musical entertainment.

“I don’t know that any other school district in this city has tried anythinglike this,” said Maureen Gerard-Bennett, the Education Partnership Liaison atGAP Ministries. “Because we are working with the school district the way weare, we’re now hearing from other school districts. Tucson Unified andSunnyside have contacted us, so it’s working. It’s hitting a need in thecommunity. And what’s interesting is this: our branding, if you will, is that westand in the gap for the community. And that truly is what’s happening.”

Emily Pearson is a student at the University of Arizona.

Building the KingdomThrough Worship

Preview: 2015 Tucson Worship Conference • by Andrea Arthur Owan

the Generation Gap, Worship Flow, Tech 101: Introduction to theTechnology Worship Leader, Lighting Fundamentals, and Drama in theChurch. A variety of instrument-specific sessions were also offered. The2015 event will again have breakout sessions for different worshipdisciplines, and it will feature more hands-on, interactive experiences for theattendees and “brain picking” sessions.

The registration fee is kept low for affordability. “The majority of smallerchurches may never afford to take their people to a training conference,” hesays. “It’s just too expensive.” The conference fees are just $20.00 a personfor the two-day event, or $100.00 for a team of 10 people, or $200.00 for ateam of 20 individuals. Ryan stresses that all aspects of worship are coveredand that quality is not compromised.

The Friday night schedule will run from 6:00-9:00pm, and the Saturdaysessions will be held from 9:00am-4:00pm with a Noon lunch break.Conference registration begins January 1.

For more information on the 2015 Tucson Worship Conference,go to www.tucsonworshipconference.com, orwww.facebook.com/TucsonWorshipConference. If you’re a local worshipleader wanting to participate in the conference through planning andcoordinating, contact aaron@22church.com. For details on Worship Catalystand their 27-session Worship Leader Essentials development process to helpyou get better at singing, acting, directing, creating, “or anything else to leadpeople to God,” go to www.worshipcatalyst.com.

Andrea Arthur Owan is a freelance content writer, published author, speakerand public presentation specialist with over 40 years of experience. Connectwith her at andreaarthurowan@gmail.com or through her inspirational blog,“Broken Hearts, Redeemed.”

Does your church worship team desire to be better equipped to lead yourcongregation in worship or elevate your congregation’s worship experiencesto a new level?

If the answer is “Yes!” then you and your worship team will want to attendthe 2015 Tucson Worship Conference. The nondenominational event,sponsored by 4Tucson and Worship Catalyst, will be held March 6-7 at 22ndStreet Baptist Church.

Not sure if you qualify as a “worship leader?” Worship Catalyst directorAustin Ryan believes that a worship leader is “anyone who helps connectpeople to God during a church gathering.”

That definition includes instrumentalists, actors and actresses,technologists, painters, video editors, pastors, teachers and worship planners.In short, anyone who has a love for the body of Christ and desires to be moreeffective in the creative arts side of worship for Kingdom building purposes isa worship leader who will benefit from this conference.

Ryan says that while Worship Catalyst’s primary focus is to “walk alongwith church planters while they plant, to help them develop their worshipteams,” this educational event will help anyone involved in the planning anddevelopment of worship in any church—small or large, new or seasoned—tohelp them connect people to God during a church gathering. He stresses thatthe conference crosses denominational and relational lines so there’s nobarrier between believers and churches.

When Worship Catalyst works with individual churches, their areacoordinators, or “connectors,” bring individuals together to assess thechurch’s needs and then develop people to help the church grow. Together,they focus on discipleship, coaching and training, specifically in the area ofworship.

For Ryan, a Baylor University graduate,former Tucson resident, and worship pastorfor 23 years, it’s all about unifying Christiansfrom different Tucson congregations to worktogether in the Kingdom. Together, 4Tucsonand Worship Catalyst want the TucsonWorship Conference to:1. Offer high quality training;2. Connect people from other churches sothey can form relational partnerships;

3. Participate in church planting.

The 2014 conference was packed with 31informative breakout sessions. Some of thetopics covered were the following: Leading aContemporary Worship Choir, Bridging

12 4Tucson Magazine

Gettinga CityMentalityIn which church do you participate? • by David Drum, Church Domain Director

David Drum’s book Jesus’ Surprising Strategy is now in its second printing

and available through 4Tucson. Photo by Amanda Martin

If you worship in a local congregation, I’m willing to bet your congregationimmediately came to mind when you read this article’s subtitle.

Hopefully, by the time you finish reading this, you’ll have an additionalanswer to that question.

When you read the New Testament and are asked, “The church is…what?”the correct answer to that particular question might surprise you. It’s not alocal congregation. It’s the city. So let me pose another question: What doRomans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,Colossians, 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians all have in common? Withthe exception of Galatians—which was actually a large, geographic area—they’re all addressed to cities.

The common analogy of the church as a body is primarily addressed to theCity church. The church of Tucson has many parts, each with built-instrengths and weaknesses. No single part of the body excels at everything—and that’s not because of human sin or imperfect leadership. It’s God’sdesign for His church! Much would change if we could simply view thechurch the way the New Testament does—as a City church. For a morecomplete exploration of the concept of church being a city, read Chapter 2 ofthe book Jesus’ Surprising Strategy.

Many authors and speakers who love the church have rightfully noticed thatone aspect or another of church life is woefully missing. Whether it’s a call forcommitted discipleship, meaningful small group fellowship, effectiveevangelism, passionate worship, purposeful planning, serving the communityunconditionally, practical reliance on the Holy Spirit, hearts that break at thethings that break the heart of God, or a myriad of other biblical aspects tofollowing Jesus, these Christ-followers have often accurately tapped into thepulse and heartbeat of God—and renewal and revival have been the result.Sometimes whole new denominations or movements have emerged. Other

times it’s been more like leaven distributed throughout much of the loaf ofChristianity.

Do you find it as fascinating as I do that Jesus prayed for none of thesethings as He prepared to go to the cross? He had taught on many of themearlier that evening, but one thing alone grabbed the lion’s share of Hisattention in His petition to His Father in John 17: would His followers beunified like He was with His Father? Would that unity be visible to thewatching world, so that the love that is God would be evident through Hisbody—the church—since God Himself is invisible?

Perhaps unity grabbed His attention because a unified, connected,collaborating, flowing-together church is the way to prevent various aspects ofthe Christian life from being overlooked. Blind spots are, by definition, sourcesof ignorance. It takes somebody else to point them out to us. If we’re wellconnected to other parts of Christ’s body that are different from us, thishappens naturally. Others’ strengths become apparent. But isolation preventsus from ever finding out that we don't know what we don’t know.

Here are four practical ways to begin adopting a City church mentality:• Pray for other churches when you drive by them—if you have time, dropin and get to know them.

• Participate in the Church of the Week prayer program—either individually,or as a congregation.

• Before you or your church start some new event/program, see who elsemight be already working on it and support their efforts.

• The domains described throughout this magazine reflect a City churchunderstanding. Jump in to one of them and bring someone with you.

David Drum is Church Domain Director for 4Tucson and author of the bookon the City church concept and community transformation entitled Jesus’Surprising Strategy.

Thank You!4Tucson appreciates and recognizes its Business, Church, & Organizational Partners

Business PartnersAirtronics | airtronicsinc.comCopperstate OB/GYN | http://copperstateobgyn.comCornerstone Communites, LLC | http://azsmartliving.comFalcon Properties | Chris and Robin Faulkner - 520.240.2615Family Life Communications Incorporated | http://myflr.orgFastsell Express LLC | 520.323.2341Garment Graphics | garmentgraphics.netGood News Radio Broadcasting | rhonda@kvoi.comLegacy Business Properties | Steve Juhan - 520.792.3113Legal Shield | oatmanpw43.legalshieldassociate.comPaul Charette Realty | 520.465.7708Thrivent Financial - Saguaro Chapter | lutheransonline.com/saguarochapterWhole Hearted Productions | wholeheartedpro.com

Church PartnersBeth Sar Shalom | shalomtucson.orgCasa de Adoracion | cdatucson.orgCentral City Assembly of God | Facebook PageChrist Community Church | http://ccctucson.orgCommunity of Hope Lutheran | cdatucson.orgConnections Vineyard | connectionsvineyard.orgCrossRoads | http://crossroadstucson.comDesert Hope Lutheran Church | deserthope.orgDesert Rose Community Church | drcctucson.orgDesert Son Community Church | desertson.orgDios es Bueno International | facebook.com/diosesbuenoEastside Covenant Church | ecctucson.orgEnchanted Hills Baptist Church | enchantedhills.orgFaith Community Church | faithtucson.orgFellowship Bible Church | tucsonfbc.orgFountain of Life Lutheran | follutheran.orgFuente de Vida |Good News Community Church | gncctucson.orgGrace Community Covenant Church | gracetucson.orgGreater Faith | gfctucson.orgHope Community Church | hopetucson.comJourney Evangelical Free Church | journeyefc.orgJoy in the Spirit Fellowship | lutherans.comLegacy Church | legacychurchtucson.comLight the Way Lutheran | Facebook Page

Living Water Ministries | lwmaz.orgNew Destiny Church International | dci.nuNew Life Bible Fellowship | newlifetucson.comNew Life Community Church of the Nazerene | nlccnaz.orgNorthminster Presbyterian Church | npctucson.orgNorthwest Bible Church | northwestbible.comOasis Church | theoasischurch.netOpen Heavens | openheavensfellowship.comPantano Christian Church | pccwired.comPassion Church | passiontucson.orgPathway of Hope Foursquare Church | pathwayofhope.netPeniel | Facebook PageRevolution Church | tucsonrevolution.comRising Star Baptist Church | risingstarbaptist.orgSaguaro Canyon Evangelical Free Church | saguarocanyon.orgSunshine Training Center |Tucson Church International | tucsonchurch.orgTucson Fellowship Bible Church | tucsonfbc.orgVictory Outreach | victoryoutreach.orgVictory Worship Center | vwcaz.orgVineyard Christian Community | vineyardcc.net

Organizational PartnersChristian Family Care | cfcare.orgCommunity Renewal | transformingtucson.orgDesert Christian Schools | desertchristian.orgDios Es Bueno International | Facebook PageGAP Ministries | gapmin.comGood Neighbor Ventures | http://goodneighborventures.orgGospel Rescue Mission | grmtucson.comHermundslie FoundationHope of Glory | tucsonhope.orgInstitute for Better Education | ibescholarships.orgJim Click Automotive Team | jimclick.comLove Everlasting Ministries | loveeverlastingministries.comMan Tucson Ministries | mantucson.orgMinistry Resources Intl. | ministryprep.comSunshine Ministries Inc.Teen Challenge | azteenchallenge.orgTucson Refugee Ministry | tucsonrefugeeministry.comWaypoint Theatre Company | waypoint-theatre.org

14 4Tucson Magazine

VitalPartnersJoining together for storiesof success of His gloryby Meg Villanuevawith Adam Colwell

Martha Petty is just one of hundreds of Tucsonans who has experienced thelife-changing benefit of 4Tucson. As Executive Director of the Flowing WellsUnified School District Extension Program, she sees 4Tucson as a “vitalpartner” whose positive impact on the city’s schools, and their parents andchildren they serve, is obvious.

“Before these partnerships, our schools didn’t know about all of the faith-based resources that we could provide our community. Now, there are faith-based representatives on the PTOs and parent advisory committees fulfillingthe needs of both parties: the church’s need for service in the community andthe schools need for assistance,” she said.

Petty’s story is the first of a series of Success Stories that PhilanthropyDomain Director Linda Goode is compiling—and that will be shared with4Tucson members and financial partners throughout 2015. These stories willsolidify why giving to 4Tucson on a regular or monthly basis makes asignificant difference in making Tucson a better place to live, as well as a placewhere God is glorified through the helpful actions of His people.

Now a full year since Goode started as Philanthropy Domain Director, she’sled her team in spearheading events and initiatives that has raised awarenessand funds for 4Tucson over the past year:

• Proceeds from the 4Tucson Golf Tournament in November 2013supported February’s “Our Kids, Our Care” event, which helped bringawareness to the city’s foster care and adoption issues.

• In February 2014, the “Love Our Partners” email campaign focused onpraying for and thanking 4Tucson’s monthly partners and inviting newfriends to join in the effort. The campaign resulted in new and renewingpartners responding and donating from all over the country.• The Summer Bidding and Bowling event had 24 lane sponsors and onetitle sponsor. Over 164 bowlers from age four to 94 gathered along withnumerous volunteers, and 27 items were donated for the event’s auction.Two GAP Ministries’ SPLASH House families were invited to Biddingand Bowling compliments of lane sponsors. The SPLASH Houses—sponsored by Tucson’s GAP Ministries—are group homes for fosterchildren who, due to the lack of foster families in Tucson, have no otherplace to live.

“The events themselves are a way to bring people in to learn more aboutwhat 4Tucson is about,” Goode said. “Often it’s an entryway for those whoknow about 4Tucson to invite others to come and participate.”

For 2015, the Philanthropy Domain is also developing a professionaladvisory team to assist individuals with their stewardship needs. Whether it’slearning how to budget their money and build wealth, how to provide asecure plan for their family’s future, or how to make a gift of appreciatedstock, Goode said there are Christian advisors in the community who canhelp at all levels.

“We need to have the right people around the table at the right time toconsider all the options available, knowing where their passions lie and howthey want to contribute,” she said. “It may sound complicated, but I loveputting the pieces together.”

Meg Villanueva is a published author, poet, and inspirational speaker on thesubject of wholeness. Learn more about Meg at megvillanueva.com.

Why Partnerwith 4Tucson?Because each of us holds a piece to the puzzle to bring people together in service and spiritual change to

our community.

I partner with 4Tucson because I believe God works best through us when we are united in service.

I want to help our public schools, and I know my support to 4Tucson is bringing neighborhood churchesand schools together to lift up teachers and administrators, upgrade facilities, and bring tangibleassistance to their communities.

I value the work that 4Tucson is doing to engage the public to vote.

I believe the power of Christian unity across racial and cultural lines can transform our city.

My wife and I are business owners here in Tucson. In addition to our church tithe, our businesspartnership with 4Tucson is another way to express our faith and commitment to make a differencein our city.

Individually, the task is daunting and beyond our capabilities. But Jesus prayed to God that we be united– or as one – as Jesus and God are one (John 17:11). Together as one, we can impact our city for God’s glory.

You can be a catalyst for change in our city. Make the commitment today to become an Individual MonthlyPartner ($10/mo) or an Organizational Monthly Partner ($35/mo).

Yes! I want to help bring

transformation to our

community by partnering

with 4Tucson.

4Tucson Monthly Partnership

_____ Individual ($10/mo)_____ Business/Organization ($35/mo)

Here is my one-time gift of:

_____ $100 ______ $250_____ $500 ______ $1,000

Name: _______________________________________________________

Street Address: _______________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________

Phone: ________________________

Email: _________________________

Credit Card (Visa/MC #):_______________________________

Exp. Date: _________ +3__________

Name as it appears on the card:_______________________________

Home Zip Code:_________________

Please send me additional informationregarding the following: (Circle)How to get involved,I am interested in: ______________________________________________Making a donation of stockIncluding 4Tucson in my Willor Estate PlanPlease have someone call mepersonally. Best time to call:_______

(520) 745-4404, 4Tucson.com, or email

a check to 4Tucson, 5151 E. Broadway

Blvd, Suite 1600, Tucson, AZ 85711

16 4Tucson Magazine

Answer the

Call!Government: "Christians,

we need your help…"

by Mark HarrisExecutive Director,4Tucson

Let’s take a journey in time, through recent American history, back to theearly 1900s. The Industrial Age has dawned, the United States has participatedin its first global conflict, and the Christian church is active and involved in thecountry’s burgeoning cities. Seen as the community’s safety net, churches takethe lead in caring for the hungry, the hurting, and the poor. Churches are thehead collaborators and chief focal points when the cry for help goes forward.

Then comes the Great Depression, and everything changes. Like others,churches don’t have the resources to provide help like they did before the 1929stock market crash. By March 1930, more than 3.2 million Americans areunemployed.

Over two years later, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected president in alandslide over Herbert Hoover. The next year, he establishes the CivilianConservation Corps (CCC), a government-led relief and employment programfor young men. The following month,in April 1933, the National IndustrialRecovery Act is introduced intoCongress, and the Federal EmergencyRelief Administration is created. That’sfollowed by the development of theCivil Works Administration (CWA), awide scale program designed to employup to four million people. August 1935sees the birth of the Social Security Act.

By the time President Roosevelt iselected to an unprecedented third termin November 1940, the United States issupporting Britain’s efforts to stave offa war-hungry, German regime. Just overa year later, America is drawn intoWorld War II, jump-starting U.S.industry and bringing the GreatDepression to an end.

But something else happened in that pivotal decade. Americans transferredtheir reliance for help from Christian churches to the federal government. Allof those programs—from the CCC to the CWA to Social Security—cause U.S.citizens to view the government as their savior and deliverer from difficulty.Pastors saw no problem with this; at that time, there was no adversarialrelationship between churches and the government.

Fast forward to 2014. Now, reliance upon government to meet its citizens’basic needs has depleted the government’s resources. From the federal to thestate to the city level, government can no longer help everyone. Arguably, thegovernment’s ability to meet people’s needs has reached its limit, much likethe limit was reached for churches in the 1930s.

That’s what makes Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s Executive Order 2014-06 so refreshing. Released earlier this year, the order establishes theGovernor’s Office of Faith and Community Partnerships and the ArizonaCouncil on Faith and Community Partnerships. Here are the first fiveparagraphs of this Executive Order. Read every word carefully. It’s significantto what I’m going to ask you to do as we head into 2015.

WHEREAS, the recent fiscal crisis significantly impacted the State ofArizona, including services relied upon by children, elderly, disabled andlow-income residents; and

WHEREAS, faith-based and non-profit organizations have a longhistory of providing support and services to vulnerable populations; and

WHEREAS, government has an important but limited role in providingbenefits, goods and services and the community-at-large is the principalproblem-solver and is essential to the economic and social success ofindividuals; and

WHEREAS, partnerships with faith-based organizations are critical tostrengthening individuals and families, increasing self-sufficiency andstrengthening communities; and

WHEREAS, collaboration among state agencies and faith-based andnon-profit organizations to provide community resources improves theoverall quality of life in Arizona.

In essence, this Executive Order is saying we have come full circle:“Christians, we need your help. Please, come, and offer yourselves to helpothers.”

4Tucson advocates that Christians are part of the solution to the ills of ourcommunity. 4Tucson has a structure in place with 12 Domains, and we’relooking for Christians who want to get involved in creating solutions for thecity. We are asking you to plug into one of these domains and start workingwith other like-minded Christians to identify existing problems and come upwith solutions that will make both the city and the state a better place to live.

Scripture tells us, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see yourgood deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV). It’s abiblical truth: if you want to be the greatest in the Kingdom of God, you mustbecome servant of all. As we head into 2015, you have an opportunity through4Tucson to do good works and let God get the credit. The government andothers in our city are asking for our help. This could be our finest hour.

Answer the call! First, join 4Tucson by becoming a monthly partner.Partnerships start at just $10 per month. Next, choose a Domain and getinvolved. Join us in praying for God to be glorified in our city through Hispeople. I have talked with a lot of Christians who say they intended to join4Tucson but haven’t. It’s said that the road to hell is paved with goodintentions. Good intentions are not going to help people. 4Tucson is callingyou to be part of the solution.

Go to www.4Tucson.com and join today. 4Tucson needs you! Our city needsyou! God created you for such a time as this!

Mark HarrisExecutive Director, 4Tucson

Now, reliance upon government to meet

its citizens’ basic needs has depleted the

government’s resources. From the federal

to the state to the city level, government

can no longer help everyone.

- Mark Harris, Executive Director, 4Tucson

4Tucson Magazine 19