MWR : The power to transform

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Sept. 15, 2008 issue

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The power to transform

By J. Fred Kauffman Mennonite Central Committee East Coast

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PHILADELPHIA — Everything about Ron Muse is intense: conversation, basketball, problem solving on the streets and, especially, Bible study.

Ron Muse, serving with Mennonite Central Committee East Coast, leads devotions with players in a summer basketball league of Mennonite churches in Philadelphia. — Photo by J. Fred Kauffman/MCC

“Transformed people transform people,” Muse says. “God has transformed my life and called me to bring this transforming power to others.”

That power is needed where Muse lives and works — the Fairhill neighborhood of North Philadelphia, sometimes called the Bad Lands.

“This is a tough part of the city to live in,” said Muse, a local service worker with Mennonite Central Committee East Coast’s Philadelphia Program. “Not just for Christians but for thugs and gangsters, too. Life’s hard here.”

This is the neighborhood where Muse grew up and became part of a gang, living the street life.

One day on a street corner where drugs were sold, he heard a voice saying, “I’ve got a purpose for you.”

He wondered if the voice was real. But it persisted for months. Though he ignored it, he experienced an unusual inner warmth.

He began looking for something beyond the shallow and greedy life of gangs. Finally he yielded to the voice. In his living room, gave his life to Christ.

He started going to church. There, he recalls, “they taught me to leave the streets and follow the American dream — get an education, a nice job, a wife, have kids, move to a nice part of the city and buy a Chihuahua.”

But the American dream did not give Muse what he was searching for.

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Comments

I'm so inspired by this brotha's triumphant story. He is a precious jewel once in the ruff that Christ has ordained to spread the gospel immensely and we are all the more blessed because of the Lord's choosing him to minister. His words are powerful because they are the Lord's words. His strength is transparent because he stands on the word of God. Members of society will soon know of this warrior of Christ and his message of Kingdom Living. Just Watch Indeed!

- Dynel Muse (sep 16 at 3:42 a.m.)
It is wonderful to see how Ron is blessing others with the love of christ. May God continue to give you strengh.

- osiris charleswell (sep 16 at 9:47 p.m.)
I was an "outsider" that lived in the Bad Lands and worked at Crossraoads Community Center for three years. I was always told that the kids who greew up there needed long term people to commit themselves. I'm glad that Ron is able to identify and give back to this community. Blessings and safety to all who live and work there.

- Rodger Schmell (oct 8 at 3:46 p.m.)
Ron has been an inspiration to many. His dedication to prison ministry is one of extreme value and demand. I thank God for this servant he has transformed Ron to be. May God continue to bless his ministry and the Crossroads Community Center so that all men may be drawn unto Christ our Saviour!Peace & Blessings!!!

- Ms. Green (dec 9 at 12:17 p.m.)

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