A Note From Tracy Hipps: The Ripple Effect of Reconciliation

Tracy Hipps, CSM Executive Director,
directing ThankServing "traffic" from the dock

My personal journey is changing as I have hit the big “60” and am now a young senior. I recently took a journey back which allowed me to see where my path is headed. My intention was to spend time with friends and do some “bucket list” type adventures but it was 9 days of assignments from the Lord and encounters with people whom I have known for years of ministry.

This journey of reconciliation started in 1969 being the first class of 6th grade students integrated into an all-black high school in South Carolina. So, 49 years ago I was thrust into relational involvements new to me. The hurt, the pain, the division that existed in our country was deep and hard to understand as a kid. In 1980 I moved to Birmingham where the hurt, the pain, and the division of people was deeply ingrained in this city’s culture. In 1984, I left Birmingham for Chicago’s inner city for 6 years and then returned to Birmingham to even more hurt, pain and division. Those nine days with school mates, college friends, and former students from Chicago, solidified firmly my call for the future of reconciliation here in Birmingham: to bring healing to the hurt, to offer wholeness to the pain, and to establish community to defeat the divisions.

Tracy with his mentor, John Perkins,
leading voice for reconciliation
and unity in the Body of Christ

Being involved in gospel ministry in this city and state for all these years allows me the opportunity to speak out and speak up about what the future should hold. The sins of the fathers affect the sins of the future unless we call it out and seek the peace and prosperity of our city. We speak out against injustice of our systems in how we treat the poor, underserved, widows, foreigners, fatherless, homeless and those that don’t look like us. We speak up for justice for all people no matter what it costs. We speak out against unrighteous behavior toward those different in culture, class, color, cause and zip code. We speak up for righteous behavior toward all people regardless of the differences. Because the difference does not make a difference. We in Jefferson county are all a part of zip code 35…

My personal journey at “60” has caused me to stop for a moment, fast, pray and listen to the Lord for this final run to finish strong. The message in so clear to me. The ministry of reconciliation of all people to God and man is our redemptive assignment. This gospel message in the proclamation and demonstration in this community in which God has planted us here. CSM is to help create a “ripple effect” of the gospel message of reconciliation that will multiply through the churches and organizations here in Birmingham. There is only one Gospel message of reconciliation which changes lives for eternity... the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. Merry Christmas!

A Note From Tracy Hipps: Real Numbers (41.35.8.60)

Tracy Hipps, CSM Executive Director

As long as I can remember, numbers and dates are very significant to me. I remember special dates and reflect with God on their significance to my journey with Him. And, wow, I never thought I would see these numbers together. It has now been 41 years since I confessed Jesus as Lord in the home in which I grew up. In the same place where I had experienced deep hurt and confusion as a child, I received my Lord at 19 years of age. That was a day I have never regretted or forgotten.

It was 35 years ago that I began this journey into missions and trusting the Lord for my path and direction. This journey has taken me to Chicago and Birmingham, serving in four different ministries, always moving forward in this journey of serving the Lord, called to serve the inner city with the Gospel of Christ, remaining in the center of His will.

I know the Lord led me to CSM 8 years ago to serve our city in Gospel ministry through the building of bridges of reconciliation: the body of Christ (the churches) working together to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our Lord. This journey has increased the Gospel presence and effectiveness in Birmingham and throughout the country as people have come to serve with CSM. God said He would build His Church, and we have partnered with Him to do just that in our partnerships and relationships here in Birmingham.

On September 8, 2018, I will be 60 years old… a point in time where we join AARP (HA!). I will celebrate these special times by doing some amazing things. This year I am taking a 10-day journey of reflection. On day one I will spend time with Richard, who I discipled as Jr. High/ High school student and with whom I have reconciled after 47 years. On day two, I will be with college friends in full time ministry in Indiana. The third day, I will be with a ministry couple I have know for over 30 years in who are also in the disciple-making ministry. And then I will spend a few days in Chicago, with my wife Mary Jo, where we spent our first years in ministry. I will see friends like Ralph, Andrew, Richard, Pedro, Zackary, Brian, Tonisha, Sandra, Beatrice and many others with whom I have walked for many years. It is all about the people we know, love and invest our lives in. The fruit of our lives is reflected in our family, friends and disciples for 41 years of living for Christ, 35 years of serving Christ, 8 years of serving Him at CSM and 60 years of life here in God’s creation.    

I am thankful for these 60 years and the opportunity God has given me to serve His people.

“For we are God’s Masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus, to do good work which he preordained for for us.” Ephesians 2:10

A Note From Tracy Hipps: How Do We Become One?

Tracy on a recent visit with John Perkins

What makes us all so different? What is it that separates us from one another? It seems that, as a country, we choose to use the freedom we are granted as citizens to be different from each other - to be unique. We relish our personal displays of individuality here in America, but with this individualism so deeply ingrained in our culture, how do we become ONE?

I recently traveled to Jackson, MS, to visit a mentor of mine, an exemplary man that I aim to emulate in my own every day life, Dr. John Perkins. Upon my arrival, Dr. Perkins, now 87 years old, immediately invited me to join him in reading Proverbs 1. He commented that the words spoken in the Proverb are words relevant today even in the “hip hop” culture, reflecting God’s way of continually finding ways to placing those that you may disciple on your path every day.

Just over 30 years ago I found myself on Dr. Perkin’s path, a turn of events that greatly influenced my own life and walk with the Lord, for he has walked with God and made Him known for more than 60 years. As we sat there at his table, drinking coffee and eating bananas, I thought to myself “nothing could be better than sitting here with this great man of wisdom who has such amazing knowledge of God’s word.”

Throughout my visit we spent time discussing his new book, “One Blood” and how it may be used as a textbook for future generations, guiding them toward reconciliation. In his book Dr. Perkins states, “Biblical reconciliation is the removal of tension between parties and the restoration of loving relationship.” This ministry of reconciliation is what the Lord has told us to do while we are here on Earth. Reconciliation is the Great Commandment expressed in real time, brought to life through “the making of disciples,” the great commission to all nations. This undertaking may clearly be seen in both Dr. Perkins’ book as well as his journey through life, a journey that has greatly inspired my own life and ministry.

As I left Dr. Perkins, I thought to myself “the longer I follow my Lord, the more I want to know and understand Him.” I began to reflect on my own journey and relationship with the Lord, recalling my most recent trip to Missouri for Kids Across America this past June. While there, I learned of the deaths of two men who had been my disciples as children back in the ‘80s. One, Pastor Milton, was 47 years old when he died after a long battle with leukemia and several years as a pastor at a local church. The other was a man who had a hard life and had passed away at age 45 due to a heart attack. As my disciple of 6 years, we had grown very close before I left Chicago and I was granted the honor of speaking at his funeral.

While it is hard to lose the ones we love, I pray that heaven is filling with those people I have met and lost in my past 35 years of ministry. I remind myself that this journey we are on is ultimately about the Great Commission and the Great Commandment - it is about walking with all nations from womb to tomb. We never know whom we touch in our life, but we know we are to make disciples; we are to make disciples through the reconciling of people to God for eternity and to one another for peace in this world. Thus, I felt comfort remembering the excitement I felt watching 10 children from the group we took form a new relationship with Christ during my time at the Kids Across America Kamp.

 Ultimately, I am excited to continue learning and understanding the Gospel ministry of making disciples of all nations. While we keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, I hope to also show my faith to others by viewing them through the eyes of justice and loving them with the heart of righteousness. Today, I aim to live in His image and His likeness; that which is righteous, holy and true. I will pursue reconciliation here and now, and I believe that together we can accomplish the mission of God for all nations.

A Note From Tracy Hipps: The Living Gospel on Display in Christian Community Development

Thirty years ago, I walked into a meeting that changed my life and my thinking. I was attending the first conference held by Christian Community Development Association (CCDA). The first speaker was the CCDA founder, Dr. John Perkins, who spoke about reconciliation in the context of wholistic community development. The second man I heard speak was Wayne Gordon, the pastor of Lawndale Community Church in Chicago. This church was doing more than just holding Sunday services- it was creating change for the whole family.

At that time, I was living just a few miles from Lawndale and witnessing who that church community that was actually living out what Dr. Perkins was talking about. For four years I worked with Inner City Impact living in the Humboldt Park community, known as the most violent community in Chicago in the 1980s. We served and discipled hundreds of kids but were not working with the local church or the whole family. We were exclusively focused on student ministry.

During the second annual CCDA conference, Tom Skinner spoke for 6 hours about systems in the United States and how we are divided rather than united. He went through scripture and illustrated how far we have gone astray from the Word of God. That was when my world view as “the great white hope” was shaken. It was 1989 and I realized that the Church, as the Body of Christ, is the hope for lasting change in our inner cities with the Word of God – the Living Gospel – instructing and guiding us. What Skinner, Perkins, and Gordon talked about was a biblical, holistic approach to discipleship. That year the conference was held at Circle Urban Ministries and The Rock church. Both pastors spoke, one black and one white, how to do this Living Gospel together. I left a changed man on a life pursuit of the Living Gospel that changes lives in our broken cities.

Those four years at ICI taught me so much about youth discipleship as I lead the Jr. High Ministry working with more than 150 kids from the community teaching them about Jesus. I knew that a more wholistic model was needed to help these students with their environment and their educational needs. I could see the desperate need their families were experiencing and I felt there was nothing I could do. The staff at ICI began to discuss how to engage the church and serve families. This was the beginning of the vision God grew in my heart for resourcing the local church for community development in order to see the Gospel make an impact in people’s lives. This vision became the foundation for why I am focused so heavily at Christian Service Mission on working with, alongside and through the local church and Body of Christ instead of as an independent entity.

Noel Castellanos thanking Tracy for 30 years
of involvement with the CCDA

 That story began 30 years ago, and God has taught me so much since then. Fast forward to last week when we hosted a meeting with Noel Castellanos, the President of CCDA. It was great to connect with Noel because we were both in those first meetings 30 years ago. Over the years, Dr. John Perkins has been one of my greatest mentors. The last few years I have had the privilege to visit with John and expose pastors to this anointed man of God. Dr. Perkins is on a forever mission of reconciliation with God and man. John Perkins has written a dozen books and has just released his last book at 87 years old. (“One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race”) It is a textbook of how the Living Gospel has changed his life and how we can be guided down this same path of biblical reconciliation.

CSM is a member of the CCDA, and today, operates as a resource to the local church to bring lasting change and wholistic community development to their neighborhoods. Through CCDA, I have found brothers and sisters around the country who are on the same journey of living out the Gospel of Christ in a comprehensive way to see the disparities of our cities changed for Christ. The Living Gospel is walking in community everyday in everyway to see lives changed inside, changed outside, and then multiplying this to all the future generations. True biblical reconciliation is living for God and with man.

A Note From Tracy Hipps: Transformation

CSM Executive Director, Tracy Hipps, welcoming volunteers

There is a cultural condition in our communities that seek to define our worldview. It is this culture that has divided, fractured and broken relationships that are essential to flourishing as humans – our relationship with God, self, others and creation. We at CSM believe that the mission of God is centered on the restoration of these four foundational relationships.

Seeing the world through this lens has led CSM to view many of our city’s problems as a loss of relationship. In Birmingham, we see many individuals live with the values of entitlement, dependency, and separation. This leads to a culture characterized by divisiveness, inequality, and un-holiness. These cultural characters blind us from viewing human beings as we should: made in the image and likeness of God.

We believe we are a part of creating a healthier Birmingham for lasting transformation through reconciliation. Micah 6:8 helps us evaluate our health and teaches us what reconciliation looks like: “He has told you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?”

What is on God’s heart? To do justice. This is to live in the Gospel and to involve ourselves in renewing culture based on Kingdom values from God’s word.  Cultural Reconciliation 

What is on God’s agenda? To love mercy. This is to live compassionately toward all man, influencing society and the church to reflect one body of Christ. Social Reconciliation

What does God desire? That we would walk humbly before Him and reflect His glory. In this attitude we find shalom.  Spiritual Reconciliation

We see and know that God restores through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, and that only by His redemptive power transforming these relationships will all human beings be able to find shalom (the proper ordering and purpose of their lives). It is our mission that every project, partnership, and initiative in which we participate moves us towards the restoration and reconciliation of these relationships.

A Note From Tracy Hipps: Influencing Culture with Kingdom Values

Tracy Hipps; CSM Executive Director

I have been asked so many times "what is your big goal at CSM?" and I say, “To influence culture with Kingdom values.” What does this mean? It means to be a part of changing people’s minds and thoughts about God and His Word. Our view of God is so messed up! We base our view of Him on our view of fathers and leaders in our culture. Yet God’s love is deep and His arms are open for all. His power is strong, and His arms are around us. His justice is fair, and He guides us down the path of righteousness. His grace is so forgiving of all sin and His mercy is everlasting to receive just us as we are today.

We influence our culture by living out the values God shows us in his Word. We influence our culture by loving Him with all our heart, all our minds, all our souls. and all our strength. We influence people by proclaiming the name of Jesus to a dark and dying world. We influence our culture by loving others the way Christ loved us. Living out the values that Christ lived is the one thing that will change our cultural influence; seeing people with the eyes of Christ as His workmanship created in Christ Jesus, listening to people and affirm the value they are to Christ and to us, spending time with them no matter what the case or story, knowing we are all made in the image and likeness of God, and treating people as brothers and sisters no matter what.

We influence our culture by recognizing the beautiful uniqueness of all humans, revealing the creative working of God’s hand on all mankind. The differences between us does not make any difference in the way God loves us or in how we should love others. We are called to open our arms and embrace others to influence them with the values Christ lived— NOW!

CSM is in a unique position in our city to influence culture without compromising our values. ‘Christian’ is in our name and represents our values as Christ-followers— expressing to everyone, no matter what, that we love you and want to be in relationship with you. We love you and will share with you why we hold to these values so deeply and why we are committed to live out these values. We want to influence culture with kingdom values to transform our city. We believe this will be the only thing that will permanently change lives in our city.  

CSM has been around for 48 years now. In 2010, we worked with 200+ volunteers. But as the focus of our ministry has shifted to establishing multiple partnerships and mobilizing thousands of volunteers, our influence in the city has been exponentially multiplied. Since that time, we have seen God doing great things as over 200,000 volunteers have joined hands with us to influence our culture with eternal, Kingdom values! YOU are the primary resource we connect with the deep needs in our city.

A Note From Tracy Hipps: My Father Knows Best

Tracy Hipps, CSM Executive Director

I wake up everyday day with the voice of my Father, ready for our time together. I cannot wait to sit down to listen to my Father’s words. My Father knows me best and loves me more. In December 1977, I was adopted into my Father’s family, and I have never looked back. Today, 40 years later, my Father calls out my name and knows every hair on my head. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is so intimate with me and meets me in this place. He knows what is best and what I need daily to live, breath, and serve Him.

I have been asked over the last few years to write a book about my stories, and I always say, “The book has been written, and it is The Word.” Over the last few years during my daily journaling I have written devotions that come from my time with my Father. The last couple of months, every journal entry has been about my Father. I have one voice that echoes in my head, and that voice is my Father’s. I remember what my Father says when I need to respond to situations. I listen for the voice of my Father as I lead the CSM team daily. I talk about my Father to all who will listen, and I repeat what He says through the day.

My Father knows best when it comes to relationships and with whom to invest. For me, my greatest praise is the relationship I have with my children as their father. My Father knows best when He is teaching me how to be a father and now, a grandfather. I love being with my grandkids and watching them grow up. My grandson, Kyler, just celebrated his 5th birthday. My prayer is that my son will be the best father he can be for his sons. I have learned to be a father only by spending time with my Father.

This article is not specifically about CSM or about our work and accomplishments. Because without the relationship with My Father, I would not be where I am, and CSM would not be where it is. CSM is an amazing place to serve, and I serve alongside amazing people who are all walking in relationship with our Father. We are a family of servants walking in the path and guided by our Father. This holiday season, my prayer is that my Father would become your Father and that we will walk as a family.  We do service because we are called to serve, but our stories are what we will take with us into eternity. My Father knows best and He loves you the most.

A Note From Tracy Hipps: We Serve At The Pleasure Of The Father

Tracy with Roger Byrd of Bob's Bikes who donated 30 bikes
to help with transportation needs in Puerto Rico 

I have always been moved by the statement, “I serve at the pleasure of the President.” I heard it yesterday on TV as one of the President’s men were speaking. As a believer in Christ, who has been bought with a high price, the Bible says, “So you must honor God with your body.” To me that means, “I serve at the pleasure of my Father.” My life is not my own.

Last month, God anointed CSM with an assignment perfectly aligning with our mission to “connect resources with needs.” On the same day Hurricane Harvey made landfall, the Lord set us on course to be a part of the relief efforts with His people for His people. I can tell you exactly where I was on the CSM campus the day the Lord gave us the assignment. On that day, trucks and people came just as they did in April 2011, people whom God had given the same assignment. Together we served at the pleasure of the Father. When an assignment is given, God gives the blessing (strength and resources) to fulfil the assignment for His glory.

This specific assignment was to share resources with our partnering churches in Texas for the people whom they already serve. We reached out to CitiIMPACT, one of our national disaster relief partners, and The Forge in Houston. Together, we are serving communities in Houston alongside a network of 24 churches sending 5 truckloads filled with more than 100,000 pounds of supplies to that area. We reached out to a church in Beaumont, Texas, sending much needed supplies to their community. This church partners with a local church in East Lake, and we provided support to strengthen a church relationship at a critical time.

Sent with love from Birmingham

God gave the assignment to serve Texas, and we did our best to accomplish that assignment. However, the biggest blessing for me was to serve the area of Port Arthur, specifically the Coast Guard where my son Tal serves. This has become a permanent assignment for my son and his family to serve for the eternal good. We sent a semi-truck of supplies to care for the Coast Guard families who were affected so they could continue their first-responder work with the knowledge that their needs would be met. We sent laborers and financial resources to help with reconstruction for Hillcrest Baptist Church which was badly damaged during the storm. Hillcrest is also where my son and family attend. The Lord has allowed us to serve the church and serve the community. In the next couple of weeks, we will send a CSM team to Port Arthur to aid in cleaning out and rebuilding homes so that we can continue to serve the Lord with the gifts He has given us.

Our next specific assignment followed quickly with Hurricane Irma. The resources continued to come in letting us know that we were to serve in Florida as well. We sent several truckloads of water and resources to aid the areas in South Florida, Bradenton, and Highland counties. God brought a pastor and his family from Miami for whom we provided chainsaws and yard cleaning tools. They mobilized their church to serve people affected by the storm in the community near their church and in the Florida Keys where many houses have been destroyed.

Water Filters 

The assignment continues with Puerto Rico, working again with CitiIMPACT to send resources to the island. It was important to us to know that the money and resources you have donated would be used effectively and safely as we sought ways to aid the PR. Thankfully, CitiIMPACT has churches and logistics contacts in the area who could let us know exactly what they need. We serve at the pleasure of the Father who guides us at CSM to “connect resources with needs.”

This time, the assignment involves construction supplies, tools for rebuilding, and bicycles. We were told that bikes are needed for transportation since the roads have been widely destroyed and fuel is unavailable. As soon as we put the word out, individuals and business owners answered the call and 30 brand new bikes along with water filtration units, cleaning supplies, buckets, blankets, and other asked for goods were shipped to FL to be put on a container to PR.

When you serve at the pleasure of our Father, you serve the One who owns all the cattle, land, ships, and production by man. We serve at the pleasure of our Father who is immeasurable and unlimited. We can measure what we steward. To date we have sent 33 commercial trucks, 750,000 lbs of resources to over 50 churches, 1 cargo container, and we have served thousands of people. The immeasurable impact is the effect on the people serving and being served. The effect God has had in the lives of people all over this country as His people serve is immeasurable. “God will make this happen, for He who calls you is faithful.” (I Thessalonians 5:24)

CSM exists to “connect resources with needs” and to always serve at the pleasure of the Father who gives us all assignments to glorify His Name. “God can do anything, you know- far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.” (Ephesians 3:20 MSB) We serve at the pleasure of our Father who knows our name, who hears the cry of the people, and assigns us our duty.      

A Note From Tracy Hipps: Seeing God’s Hand — Even in the Storm

All hands on deck during disaster relief

This month Harvey arrived, lingered, and left behind a path of destruction and then Irma struck Florida and we are watching the Church be the hands and feet of God. In the wake of Harvey we were asked to assist with resources for Houston, Port Arthur, and Beaumont and then Florida. CSM has been in a position to help in the aftermath of both hurricane disasters with truck-loads of supplies. This is what we do: the Lord provides the resources and we open our hands to give to those in need. As of today, we have sent 20 trucks to Texas and 6 trucks to Florida totaling more than 600,000lbs of resources.

To recognize the hand of God, all we have to do is watch, listen, and connect with people. We see the Lord’s hands move here every day. We watched God provide resources to help in Houston in inexplicable ways. God provided the opportunity to share resources with friends we have served with for more than 20 years. One of our warehouse partners, MedMission, had gloves and masks that they were able to donate for us to send, critical items for dealing with flooding and clean-up.

One of our church partners, New Rising Star, had plans for a pastor from Beaumont, TX to guest preach but he needed to stay home and we were able to provide resources to his church after Harvey damaged so much of their city. The majority of the resources we have sent have assisted faith partners, providing resources to share the love of Christ with the people of their city.

It is important for me to acknowledge the hand of God moving in places. My hope is that people will see Him and believers will be encouraged and those whose hearts are being stirred towards God will see Him and be amazed. Port Arthur is located between Beaumont and Houston. My son, Tal, and his family live in Port Arthur where he serves as a first-responder with the Coast Guard. His family evacuated ahead of the storm, but Tal stayed to work and serve. After Tal reported damage to his town, church, and first responder’s homes, we were able to send supplies and a volunteer group to help clean and rebuild. My son has worked hard during the days after Harvey and I am proud.

To come along side what God is doing you need to labor where you are gifted in the place and season of your calling. My friend is the Executive Director of 'The Forge' in Houston. He has used these times to unify the churches so they can work together to help families in need. Antioch Church in Beaumont has used the four truckloads of resources to serve their community with the Gospel at the center. And, Hillcrest Baptist, where my son and his family attend church in Port Arthur, was almost entirely flooded. This week we have people there helping to restore it, sending with them supplies to encourage and share the Gospel with the community of Port Arthur. $10,000 needed to be raised for the restoration of this this church and as of today it has been done. My son and family are seeing the hand of God in all of these miracles.

As a ministry leader, community servant, man of God, and a father, I recognize God’s hand moving, acknowledging His actions in connecting resources with needs, and giving Him my hands to work and in praise for what He has supplied. His hand is at work by answering prayers and allowing CSM to come alongside what God is doing.

A Note From Tracy Hipps: The DNA of Disciplemakers

Tracy Hipps

At Christian Service Mission (CSM), our lead focus is to transform lives through the Gospel. To do that, we must be disciple makers—who make disciples—who make disciples—who make disciples! This is in the “DNA” of who we are every day in every way. “DNA” stands for the “Divine Nature from Above.” It is in our blood that runs in our veins as a ministry to our city, state, and world.

Matthew 28: 19-20 says, “As you go, make disciples of all nations.” Thousands of people are impacted by the ministry of CSM with the Gospel as core to everything we do and every person we meet. From individuals who need tangible help, to ministers who are looking for help finding an effective way to create a Gospel-centered strategy that will improve their community, we want to be available to help where God is leading. This summer, as example, we worked with Pastor Ralph Garth of True Vine Ministries in Inglenook/Tarrant to help him create a strategy for their kid’s camp. We brought three churches together to facilitate, fund, and staff the camp and were blessed to see hundreds of lives in the community impacted.

Another important part of this passage is a thought that is constantly on my mind—“as you go.” Just last week, I was in Hardee’s where I go for breakfast every day, and the clerk at the counter asked me about my Bible. She told me that she needed a Bible that she could understand. The next day, I was able to give her a new Bible from our book supply at the warehouse. As we talked, I learned that she was a resident of the local LoveLady Center, which is one of our partners. The impact they have made on her life is amazing and I felt the power of how we invest together in the growth of Christ follower—“as you go.”

Jesus instructs us to “make disciples of all nations.” That is also what we want to do by working through the division of culture, class, color, and church denominations. We seek to bring together people who have an interest in transforming the lives of people in our city, state, and world who also have the Gospel in common. Ninety-eight percent of our work is done locally within the Birmingham city limits. However, we have volunteers who come from all over the world, and we want them to leave with a greater vision for impacting their community and the world. And sometimes, we get the chance to help make disciples in places like Africa. For example, we along with MedMissions, are helping the Deo Lubala family (pictured here with Jim Tucker of MedMissions, Rhonda Marshall and Tracy) make disciples in Tanzania by sending a container full of resources that will be used for church planting in Kenya. Tanzanians on mission to share the Gospel in Kenya is cool!

Disciple-making is not our business—it is our calling. A few years ago, we helped change a family’s life by building them a home in partnership with several churches. A group of people came around this family, committed to not only help them build a house but to improve every area of their lives. This family was surrounded by disciples who were committed to make disciples. Recently, the husband (Jamel) came to CSM to help serve a group of youth who were here from Washington D.C. and the Department of Youth Services. These kids have gotten into trouble and now the courts help them manage their lives. Jamel began to share his story with these kids and their leaders. It was a God ordained moment that shook the place and these people. The testimony of the past, alongside his testimony of the now of his relationship with the God, was amazing.

Drew and I met in Chicago 1984 when he was in Jr. High.
I began discipling him then, and now as a successful
businessman in 2017, he is investing into CSM.
(Tracy, Drew Fox, Mary Jo Hipps and Hannah Fox)

Disciple-making is in my DNA and in the DNA of the CSM staff. The DNA of disciple-making is also in my family. My son, Tate, worked with a team of film makers from Shades Mountain Baptist Church as they produced an evangelistic film that could impact our city, our state, and possibly the world. My wife and I have prayed all his life to raise him to be a disciple-maker and we are encouraged that DNA runs in his veins as well. Last night as I was sitting back in my chair, my phone rang. It was Ms. Henderson whom I've known for 27 years. I was her kids' youth pastor at New City Church here in Birmingham during their teen years. She just called to reconnect, give me an update, and say thank you, and I was moved. We have an incredible opportunity to be disciple-makers together. Thank you for being involved with us in God’s plan for discipleship, modeled for us by His Son, our Savior—Jesus!

A Note From Tracy Hipps: The Impact of the Gospel

This year we have seen the power of God manifested in all that we do. We saw the power of God meet the exact needs of 800 children in a Title One School with miracle pops. We were a part of touching more than 1,300 moms for Mother’s Day and able to serve an awesome meal from The Fish Market and Grace’s Kitchen to 120 moms from 15 different organizations at South Highlands Presbyterian Church. The part that we love more than sharing resources is the gospel that is proclaimed and displayed in all of these places. Lashundra Smith, a mom of four who has been in a wheelchair for almost a decade as result of domestic violence, shared how the power of God has worked in her life. Former Chief Nunn of Birmingham blessed us with her powerful voice before we honored Ms. Smith’s mother for the blessing she has been to her daughter. It truly has been a remarkable season here at CSM.

Summer is our busiest time and each year KAA camp marks the starting point. This is the best week of my year, and I am always so excited to see what God will do with the kids and adults who attend. This was my 27th year to take a group to KAA, loading 100 people the first week of June on to buses for an overnight ride to Missouri. Willie Banks, our Warehouse Manager, at the age of 51, experienced summer camp for the first time! The best part was that his son also attended and they were able to share the amazing experience together. We also partnered with the Birmingham Police department who identified some children who truly needed to experience the power of God. The camp counselors poured into them and their lives will never be the same. We also had the privilege of watching 17 kids come to or recommit to Christ. It is always amazing to see the power of the gospel displayed and people moved in a powerful and life-changing way. We now have new disciples for Christ and it is our goal to make sure we produce multiplying disciples. Each of these students will continue to be mentored by their leaders and will walk with them long-term to see them grow in their relationship with the Lord.

This summer we are working with multiple camps that involve more than 500 children and 40 groups throughout Birmingham inner city. We have two new camps this year, and we are invested in making the process positive for the sponsoring churches and the children attending. These students are continuing with their school studies, learning about Christ, and having A LOT of fun. We are excited to work with these kids each day and help them have a great summer.

TSA staff present Tracy with a check.

A disciple who will make other disciples is called a disciple-maker. We are so committed to this that we have 10 college age interns who are working at four of our church partners. These students are learning about inner-city ministry, working in churches, and holistic community development. A local company, TSA, sponsored a golf tournament in our honor and the proceeds allowed us to recruit these interns to make a big impact in the city this summer. We have seen some amazing results in just a few weeks as we have invested time into our interns so that they in turn impact our city working alongside CSM staff and ministry partners.  Disciple-making is the objective for the summer in our city, so that we multiply the impact for the internal and external change of lives in the city.

The summer requires an intense amount of planning to make all that we want to happen successful. For years, a key component to this success was a dedicated prayer team who met and prayed for the city and our work monthly. This year we had several experience health issues and they are no longer able to meet. We now have several teams of people praying for CSM but we need your support in prayer to do all that we believe God had called us to do. Just this past week, the tornado affected several areas of our communities and we were ready to serve the very next day. Relief and recovery efforts will be on-going, particularly in the Fairfield area where we work with community partners. Please pray that we are empowered to multiply the Gospel impact these last few weeks of summer and into the fall.

A Note From Tracy Hipps: What's In A Name?

This morning, I read in Numbers where Moses changed Hoshea’s name to Joshua which means “The Lord is Salvation.” As I was studying more deeply into the meaning of names in Scripture, I came to Jesus, whose real name was “Yahushua.” Several times in Scripture, names are changed: Abram to Abraham and Simon to Peter.  Given names meant something highly significant in ancient days, while today, we associate meaning and movements with names people are given. For instance, we relate Billy Graham with evangelism; Rick Warren with purpose; Martin Luther King Jr. with Civil Rights; and George Washington Carver with invention.

Tracy interviewed by WIAT before
the CSM Mother's Day Luncheon

Today, we think of names as branding and we all work hard to get our name out there. This past weekend, we sponsored our annual “Love for Moms” Luncheon where more than 100 mothers were served and encouraged. The TV news filmed the event and the speaker but CSM was not mentioned. Nevertheless, we were all pleased because at the end of the day, Jesus was glorified and lifted-up.

In 1971, the Christian Service Mission was formed with the idea to serve the poor. Today, CSM is still living out its name with Christian values while “Serving People on Mission for God” here in Birmingham. CSM is now a brand but I want to always be known by our values, mission, and service to people. Yes, we do “connect resources to needs,” but more than that, we are about connecting people to people.

Tracy's favorite popsicle
"happy face" drawing
by one of the students

This month, we have seen 1,300 moms impacted by our Mother’s Day senior home program where churches partnered with nursing homes to love on the Moms there. We served another thousand
families through our food ministry. We mobilized hundreds of volunteers to touch lives all over the city through a Wells Fargo Service Day and we have hosted many other volunteer groups.

We have seen the “Miracle Pops” become a reality to serve more than 800 students in Pinson and sent snacks to more than 800 students at Woodlawn High School, which were distributed by our partners. And in all that we do at CSM, we do it, in the name of Jesus.

I must be embarrassingly honest… as I have listened to the news the last couple of months, I kept hearing “POTUS” in the news and had to look it up to learn the meaning. When I looked at Scripture today, it said “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” The power is in the name, and here at CSM we represent the greatest name of all time— “Yahushua”!

CSM has been around 46 years and has made a great impact in Birmingham and beyond. Thank you for being a part of CSM and glorifying the name Jesus with us.

A Note From Tracy: In Awe of Christ

And they were filled with awe… (Mark 4:41 TLB)

When was the last time you were filled with awe for what Christ has done for you? Take a moment, stop what you are doing, and allow the Lord to fill you with awe that He died and that He is risen. I am in awe of the cross and what He endured for you and for me. We will never fully comprehend the pain He endured for us and how He suffered being separated from God the Father for us. I am in awe that He rose from the dead to walk the earth, and that we serve a living Savior. I ask you to think about the awe that the apostles and followers must have felt in His presence during this time.

There is magnificent wonder in each part of the story. Each statement alone overwhelms me with the power and greatness of our Christ. I imagine the awe of watching Christ our Savior ascending into heaven to be seated at His rightful place beside God the Father. I am in awe that He gave us our assignment to make disciples as we walk the path He has designed for us to follow. I am humbled to speak of the awe of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. And I am in awe of who I am because Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, giving us all the authority to serve Him as His disciples here today.

At CSM, we are in awe daily serving Christ because of what He has done and the call to be a part of His grand story. We seek the Shalom of our great city and to share the Gospel message to the people. We desire to serve with the message of reconciliation that is only possible because of Jesus. We stand in awe of our great Savior for our great city and are honored to walk with you in this great story.

Awe-filled blessings to you,

Tracy

Tracy Hipps
CSM Executive Director

He is risen. He is risen indeed.