God is for Real, Man is a collection of Bible stories by Carl F. Burke published in 1966. It is a unique collection because it’s paraphrase is done in the street vernacular of the day – slang, curse words, and all. It was written with the help of kids aged seven to seventeen who he worked with as an inner-city youth counselor. On the last page of the book Burke states, “I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the center of the marketplace, as well as the steeple of the church. I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves: on the town garbage heap; at a crossroad so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title in Hebrew, in Latin, and Greek … at the kind of place where cynics talk smut, and thieves curse, and where soldiers gamble. Because that’s where He died. And that is what He died about. And that is where churchmen ought to be and what churchmen ought to be about.”
Over the past few years we have seen Westwood mission teams take the gospel outside the walls of the church. We have traveled down the street and around the world. The message we share with our neighbors, our co-workers, and our fellow students is the same message that we have taken to Mexico, South America, and Africa. It is the message that God loves you and sent His Son to die for you for that you might have eternal life. No matter where we are our message is the same – that’s who we are and that is what we are all about. We are Ambassadors for Christ.
II Corinthians 5:20
Global Mission Pastor
This Westwood Missions website is designed to provide information about local, national, and international mission work though this church and other mission organizations such as the SBC International Mission Board, The North American Mission Board, e3Partners, and Children’s Hope Chest. We encourage you to seek God’s will for your life regarding your responsibility as an Ambassador for Christ.
