In Circle of Hope we say our vision for fulfilling our mission is this: “We create an environment where people can connect with God and act for redemption. Responding in love to our thirsty region and fractured society, we are birthing a new generation of the church to resist and restore with those moved byContinue reading “Invitation”
Author Archives: Benjamin White
Creativity, the Holy Spirit and Everything in Between
In my job as Development Pastor at Circle of Hope Broad and Washington I am always on the hunt for a good idea- a new flyer idea, an idea for an event that could attract some new friends, a new idea for how to engage someone at an event in the city. Doing so muchContinue reading “Creativity, the Holy Spirit and Everything in Between”
Why are you doing this?
A few weeks ago, I was sitting on my bench on Locust Walk at the University of Pennsylvania holding my “tell me your story sign”. It turns our it was parent’s weekend and I got two stories from proud Penn parents. One man, D, came up to me and said, “Ok, you’ve piqued my interest.Continue reading “Why are you doing this?”
I’m that guy with the sign
At one point this week I was having a conversation with 3 new acquaintances simultaneously about 1) good and evil 2) greek tragedies, 3) vampires and 4) the broken Democratic machine in Philadelphia. My “Tell Me Your Story” bench kind of blossomed on Monday afternoon. That wasn’t the only multi-person conversation I had either. I’mContinue reading “I’m that guy with the sign”
What are we known for? What is Jesus known for?
At a job I had many years ago I discovered at some point that I was known as “that crazy christian guy.” The person delivering this news to me was not trying to hurt me so I wasn’t offended but I did consider being offended. I didn’t like being called “crazy” and I didn’t likeContinue reading “What are we known for? What is Jesus known for?”
Tell Me Your Story, Penn
My friend, Howard Pinder, came up with this great idea. The “Tell Me Your Story” sign. I’ve been emulating him at the University of Pennsylvania this week. It’s pretty fun! People look at me when I’m holding the sign, many look away when I meet their gaze, they look away and smile. Many give aContinue reading “Tell Me Your Story, Penn”
Circle of Hope’s Public Joy
I was driving down the Broad Street on Sunday when all of a sudden I had to pull over abruptly in the center “parking lane.” My friends, Forest and Ben were playing guitars in front of the library at Broad and Morris! It was a beautiful morning and these beautiful people were making some beautifulContinue reading “Circle of Hope’s Public Joy”
Dear Philly University Students : an open letter (it’s about Jesus, ok?)
Dear students, Welcome to Philadelphia! I want to be your friend. What is your name? Will you escape your own personal zone long enough to connect with me? Most of you won’t, but that’s okay because I’m pretty sure some of you will. But really, those people who are ready to connect are the anomaliesContinue reading “Dear Philly University Students : an open letter (it’s about Jesus, ok?)”
Holy Mischief at Philadelphia University
It’s the first week of school! Everyone’s got their new sneakers on and they’re trying to figure out where they fit in at a lot of the university campuses. I’m hoping that some of them will fit in with us at Circle of Hope so I went to University of the Sciences and Philadelphia UniversityContinue reading “Holy Mischief at Philadelphia University”
Being There- Why you have to show up
I was lying on my couch reading Game of Thrones on Monday afternoon when I heard the megaphone start blaring. “Oh yeah, it’s the protest. We’re shutting down Woodland Ave!” I grabbed Oliver, my 2 year old son, and we ran down the street to join the crowd. We were blocking Woodland Ave. to sendContinue reading “Being There- Why you have to show up”
Divided Diversity Defied
Last time I went to Sacks Playground I think it was my friend Zack’s 8th birthday party (but that was only a couple of years ago). A woman I talked to at this playground on Monday hadn’t been there in a while either. Our similarly aged boys were playing with each other so we wereContinue reading “Divided Diversity Defied”
Trying to be question marks on July 4th
When you wear a sandwich sign some people will yell across a crowd to you. I learned this and a lot of other things at the Party on the Parkway on July 4th, this past Thursday. The first person to yell across the crowd got my attention by reciting what he had memorized of theContinue reading “Trying to be question marks on July 4th”
Grace says they don’t want to talk to you
A three year old is holding his mother’s hand in one hand and a much too real looking toy handgun in the other. A well dressed dad and ballet dancer daughter emerge from the subway. He drops her off at the dance school and returns toward the subway. A tiny girl, hair dangling what seemsContinue reading “Grace says they don’t want to talk to you”
“Good Morning” means something… I hope
I stood outside in the rain today for an hour to see who would talk to me. Between 8 and 9 in the morning, especially when it isn’t raining but even when it is, South Broad Street’s sidewalk is a river of people streaming to work. This morning, the bells of St. Rita’s started andContinue reading ““Good Morning” means something… I hope”
Today, if you hear his voice 