Why East Lake?

When I tell people we are moving, the first question is where to? and the second is the title of this post (which usually includes a snarl look on their face). Ben posted some East Lake information on his website that I thought was very informative and wanted to post some of it here as well.

So why would anyone want to move to East Lake?
To be part of the community revitalization? To get a good deal on a historic home? To rebel against middle class social structures and stereotypes? Maybe those are reasons for some, but for me and my family, and many others with which we are united in Christ, we are moving to East Lake because we are followers of Christ that have been led by God to do so! We want to be obedient to our Lord and engage people with the gospel in one of the poorest areas of our city.

19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:19-20

God is reconciling, that is restoring and making good that which is evil, ALL THINGS to Himself through Christ! That includes individuals, but it also includes worldly systems and cultures. Poverty is about broken relationships between God and people, people and people, and people and world systems. That means the solutions to poverty is found only in the power of Christ's death and resurrection to restore those relationships.

That is why we desire to move into an area where poverty is experienced on every level. We will be bearers of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for His glory through the redemption and reconciliation of people to God and then for the restoration of the community.

Another main question I receive is about the crime in the area. East Lake, especially the Gate City area, is known for drug trafficking and prostitution. In the last few years, however, the city has worked hard to clean the Gate City area up and crime is down dramatically. In the South East Lake area (the area we are moving into) violent crime is almost a non-issue. Several community residents have expressed that petty theft and the occasional break-in are the biggest crime issues in the area. Most of the drug trade is behind closed doors and doesn’t come into the public arena often.

Something important to note about crime in the area is that what happens on one street or block does not typically impact what happens on another. Crime is higher in areas where there are a lot of rental properties, but such crime almost always only affects that street or block. The next street over might consist of mostly home owners who seek to live well and protect their property.

Ben is currently working with the Birmingham Police East Precinct in securing very specific statistical data about crime in the area. He is also working with the Jefferson County SWAT Team to get information about crime and safety…we're not going into this move blindly like some seem to think.