Local Mission to People and Place

In the early centuries baptismal candidates often underwent lengthy periods of preparation for discipleship before they were immersed. Baptism marked a profound death to self and a tangible re-creation within a new communal life. At its best our local work remains about nurturing relationships in a particular place so Christ's resurrection presence can be made manifest.

Members of the Speedway Church live in three distinct contexts. First, there are six rural and suburban families who drive 18-35 minutes to Speedway because of long-standing connections and our unique set of emphases. These people provide some vital leadership. Within the last five years the better part of 40 persons have joined our family who live within Speedway's town limits. Many of these persons are young in age and younger to the faith, yet they provide much vitality. Finally, a dozen of our members provide leadership within the inner-city, Haughville region of Indianapolis, just east and south of our small Town's limits. Our ministry reflects our commitment to this unigue place--a small town lodged up against the inner city.

The Alton Alternative: We are in the process of procuring four houses for renovation east of Speedway. Bob and Cindy Smith have agreed to move into the new enclave near two other existing church families. They hope to lead a neighborhood association and plant a community garden as well as help oversee the redeveloped houses. Kent Ellett is currently serving on the community advisory board for the Indiana women's prison. Our hope is to interview and select prisoners who are interested in being a part of the church and redevelopment work upon their release. Thus, we hope to provide low-cost housing, part-time work and a great deal of personal support to help with prisoner's transition back into society. We also hope to work with foster care agencies in providing low-cost housing for larger foster families. We think all of this is in obedience to Jesus' command to love the orphan and the prisoner, and we believe it will allow us to make real inroads in this distinct neighborhood on the outskirts of Speedway.

Community Center: The building adjacent to our sanctuary at 4980 W. Tenth serves as a community gethering place. Non-profits regularly meet here. Various recovery groups meet in this space, and Greg Wooden teaches drug education courses and does drug screening for a great many clients per year. Jeff Nabarak, who has recently become part of the Speedway family, teaches taiquando during the week to increasing numbers of young people.

Art Sparks Imagination: This is the fourth year we have sponsored an after- school art education program on Thursdays. This is for elementary students grades 3-6. Numerous students (and in turn their families) have come to us from the community through this ministry. After-school programing in in the near future will be focused on preschool and the primary grades.

Moms' Morning Out: Community mothers (or fathers) may drop their children (ages 2 and up) off at the Community Center so they can accomplish tasks or enjoy some free time. They agree to a background check and agree to watch other kids once a month.

Revolution: Sunday night service makes use of dramatic readings, multi-media, illustrative openers, contemporary music, personal testimonies, and priestly blessings as people process foward to the Lord's Table. All this is followed by prayer groups, a fellowship meal and recreation. While methods embody the message of Christ, the emphasis is still on meeting Jesus in the midst of deep relationships.

New Wave: Preschoolers and Primary grade students are dismissed at Revolution in order for them to have their own teaching time. The New Wave has a great time. One distinctive emphasis in Christian education from this age on up--is on the character and actions of God. We do not teach morals apart from the good news of God's saving action in Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Formation Group: A number of members meet regularly on Tuesdays to discuss their spiritual lives and the direction of the congregation in light of their recent reading. Nothing is off limits--novels, children's books, books on the New Testament's Aocalyptic imagination, books on the sociology of religion, history, and theodicy have recently been discussed. Recent authors include Rubel Shelly, Brian McClaren, N.T Wright, Rodney Stark, Francis Collins, And David Bentley Hart.

Family Bible Study: Speedway ephasizes an unusual level of Biblical education. Yet the Bible would have us believe that Christian Education is primarily testimonial rather than academic. From the time of the Exodus parents were to impress on their children how meaningful the saving acts of God were. While adults occasionally study Christian texts, history and practices and thier relation to today's culture, most of the time we attempt to learn how to inhabit the narratives of the Bible and offer our children the opportunity of living within the sweeping story of God's love.

Covenant Groups: Many of our members participate in small groups that have covenants of confidentiality. There they share their struggles and hopes in a prayerful and supportive environment.

Public Library Discussion: Periodically we have staged courses in the Speedway Public Library. Members of the community have come to these studies where folks have learned to expect a spirit of openness and a non-sectarian approach to the religious and community questions of our day. It is hoped that our participation with local and State-wide ministerial associations will lay the groundwork for staging ongoing ethical discussions of real public interest.