Transforming Communities Through Connection: A Kingdom Approach
In April 2024, Connie Jakab partnered with The Mustard Seed and launched a new church in the Ogden community in Calgary. People sit around tables facing each other to discuss God over a Sunday meal. She is invited to diverse tables in her community and across Canada as an educator, communicator, mental health champion, and author.
In reaching out to our communities, we can learn from frameworks like Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). This approach focuses on identifying a community's unique gifts and treasures and activating them to create meaningful change—some practical steps to engage your community and build trust, using my recent experiences as an example.
Changing the Narrative of a Community
For my 50th birthday, I decided to challenge the narrative surrounding my community. For decades, the local school has been labelled as "hard" with "difficult" students, and the neighbourhood itself is often dismissed as the "ghetto" or the "hood." This lack of trust and negative perception needed to change.
To rewrite this story, I organized an event that reflected a new narrative: a kingdom vision of hope and thriving. I hosted a dance battle with 50 dancers to raise funds for mental health, belonging, and resilience resources for the school. This cause resonated deeply with the community because it addressed issues they cared about.
Building Bridges Through Connection
For the past six months, I've been running a free dance class at our church every Wednesday evening. This initiative created an incredible vibe and allowed me to meet neighbours, understand their challenges, and learn about their dreams for the community.
The dance battle's success exceeded expectations, gaining coverage from news outlets like CTV and Global News. Why? Because it tackled real issues that united the community.
Identifying Shared Values and Solutions
What challenges does your community care about? What are its deepest desires? Even in a diverse community with varying political and religious beliefs, we can all rally around shared problems and solutions.
As followers of Christ, we know that the Kingdom of God offers answers to these challenges. Meeting a community's needs, just as missionaries do in other countries, is the starting point for transformation. This approach unites people across faiths and perspectives—Buddhists, Muslims, agnostics, atheists, and Christians.
Practical Steps for Community Engagement
Start small. Schools, community associations, clubs, walking groups, or even your local dog park are great places to connect with others. These natural settings allow you to bump into people and learn what they value.
My next initiative involves interviewing 200 people in my community. I'll ask them three questions:
What do you love about our community?
What do you want to see change?
How do you think that can be achieved?
The insights will be compiled into a community report and action plan.
Additionally, I lead monthly workshops for community leaders, introducing them to ABCD frameworks. These leaders include business owners, parents, church leaders, and community garden organizers. Together, we're mobilizing people for meaningful change, bridging gaps between believers and non-believers.
Love in Action
Our goal is not just community development—building trust and relationships that pave the way for kingdom expansion. Natural bridges for connection emerge as we focus on others' concerns and create opportunities around those needs.
Economic development is a pressing need in my community. I envision a future where social enterprises from our church provide employment opportunities and address issues like poverty, addiction, and isolation.
A Call to Reflect and Act
What are the needs in your community? Have you taken time to observe and connect with the people around you? Here are some practical ideas:
• Host celebrations that resonate with your community.
• Partner with others to address shared challenges.
• Identify the gifts and talents of individuals—inside and outside your church.
We need to move beyond programs and door hangers. True impact happens when we step into the lives of others, showing we're not a threat but an ally.
Laying Down the Agenda
I've told my church leadership team that if no one in our community ever came to Christ, I would remain committed to their well-being. Jesus seeks every person in our community, and I trust the Holy Spirit's expertise in reaching hearts.
By letting go of ego and focusing on genuine love, I believe we will see a great harvest—not because of what we do, but because of who we are in Christ.
Let's rise together, meet our communities where they are, and transform them with love and hope.