This is the first of many profiles of leaders among Oakland's Christian Community. The man, Lewis Ruff, has years of dedication to the ministry of church planting and is currently serving with the congregation of
All Nations Presbyterian Church on Grand Avenue.
Q: What is your favorite verse of scripture?
LR: "I don't have a favorite verse but one that comes close in Romans 8:28: 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.' This gives me joy because it tells me that, a) God chose me, and, b) He will not allow anything to come into my life by accident. Everything I go through is somehow from Him and will be used to make me more like Him. That was such a comfort especially when our oldest son was accidentally shot through the head and not only survived, but miraculously sustained minor lasting damage. God is good."
Q: What verse of scripture does your community most need to hear?
LR: "These verses from Psalm 18 form the heart of what I want people in my congregation to believe and to live:
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
28 You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
29 With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
These verses tell us that God cares about the challenges we humans face in our daily living, that we have life because He loves us (delights in us) and that He reaches down from heaven to touch us with grace and that this makes all the difference in our human experience. Darkness in our lives becomes light. Seemingly overwhelming obstacles (a troop or a wall) can be overcome with God's power at work in us."
Q: What signs of hope are occurring in your community?
LR: "People are not sitting idly by while homicides plague our existence. Churches are rallying together to march and to call on City Hall and to pray. Citizens are willing to pay higher taxes to fund solutions. I am also hopeful as I see the growing color-blindness and acceptance of all people of our younger generations."
Q: How is God at work in your community?
LR: "I see members willing to give up time and money to feed the homeless and tutor public school children. I see two of our attenders going to the site of every Oakland homicide and nailing up a small metal plaque to let the world know that a life was taken there and that life is precious and remembered. I see a woman of Jewish heritage joyously converted to faith in Jesus as her Messiah on Easter Sunday. I see a male prostitute overwhelmed with hopelessness because of decades of child abuse believe that God could love him and put his trust in Jesus and become a student of the Bible. I see ordinary people sinning less and loving God and people more than they did a year ago. I see my own heart changed and my practices shaped in new ways by the love and power of God."
A special thanks to Pastor Lewis Ruff of All Nations Presbyterian Church for his willingness to be the first Christian leader profiled on Oakland Christian Community. If you are interested in participating or have a Christian leader to suggest, please send me an e-mail. Blessings, Matt
