From Fred Wevodau in Denver
When we take the light rail downtown, it takes about twice as long as driving the highway, but it offers a very different look at the city. The various stops create a montage of Denver's diversity that gets missed changing highway lanes at 65 mph. When we board the train at Lincoln Ave., our fellow-travelers often look a lot like our suburban dwelling neighbors - people with whom we stop and talk when walking the dog or working in the yard; friends with whom we barbeque and play tennis - our "insider world."
Heading north, at the Orchard Ave. station we are across the freeway from the Denver Tech Center, a marketplace hub of the city. I lead a Bible Reading Group with attorneys from the largest firm in the Rocky Mountain states that has offices there. A marketplace ministry is foundational to the long-term health and growth of a Metro mission – stakeholder leadership.
The distinct architecture of the University of Denver comes into sight as we approach the University Blvd. station. Backpacks replace briefcases, but not just students push through the doors now. This area is home to the largest population of 20-somethings in the city. A number of our b2g friends, including a group of young women that meet with my wife, Linda, live near here. This next generation is the future of the city and of the Metro Mission.
Arapahoe station puts us on the outskirts of urban Denver. The languages, accents and skin tone of those boarding represent the peoples of the world that now make up nearly half of Denver's populace. It is no longer just New York, Chicago and LA that have an international feel! "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."
At the Auraria stop, students from the Metro State campus crowd on and off the train. Metro State is appropriately named because most of these students are commuters from various parts of metro Denver. Many of them will get jobs locally when they graduate. "Thanks, Lord, for our collegiate ministry partners. May their numbers increase."
Union Station is the end of the line - urban Denver. We're downtown now. Homeless, panhandlers, grunge and gothic youth gather on corners and in alleys for this is their world amidst the lofts and business towers. Can we truly call the Metro mission, "Metro" unless we are praying for and partnering with those who are reaching out to the least and the lost, the hopeless and the broken?
Slow down. Leave the car at home. Let the city come to you on the train, stop by stop. See … hear … feel … pray for laborers for there are many who are harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. We love this place.