By David Winfrey

Los Angeles—Ken Dean has seen the impact a church can have on a neighborhood. It’s why he tries to recruit congregations to get into their communities and serve those around them.

Dean is a community ministries field specialist with California Southern Baptist Convention. “I help churches to have a vision outside the four walls of their church; to see the people in the community, see their needs.”

He has firsthand experience in the difference a church can make. Dean was on staff at Central Baptist Church in Inglewood when drug sales and gang violence plagued the area. Members responded by organizing prayer-walks, marches and other activities to combat the negative influences.

“We kept the community covered in prayer as we walked. And we were out often, visible,” he said. “There was a peace that came over the community.

“After that people were calling the church, thanking the church that they could go out in their communities again.”

Dean saw the church as a force for improving lives. As a result, neighbors began to understand that the church cared for them.

Today, he helps congregations see needs in their communities and develop ways to show God’s love through tangible acts of service. Ministries can address a variety of issues, from hunger and substance abuse to domestic violence and personal health.

Dean makes a crucial distinction between church-based ministries and other community groups.

“We have a lot of social entities out there that meet social needs, but we have something that they don’t have,” he said, referring to the hope found in Christ. Church-based ministries seek to serve the mind, body and soul, he added. “It really is ministry evangelism. It’s meeting needs and sharing Christ.”

Dean said the biggest challenge for many congregations is developing a Kingdom mindset that expands members’ visions beyond their own wants and preferences. “When you have a Kingdom mind, you don’t say ‘my church,’ but you say ‘God’s Kingdom,’” Dean said. “We have to care the way Jesus cares.”

Often, that begins with prayer-walks through the community — in which members walk in groups through the area praying for their neighbors. “Prayer is our first recourse and our most powerful and efficient resource,” Dean said.

Another tool is community assessments, in which members observe and ask neighbors and leaders about area needs. “Every day we have to do an assessment of our community through the eyes of Christ and see the many opportunities through which we can begin ministries to touch lives.”

Dean said recent economic difficulties are giving churches greater opportunities to serve.

“You’re going to see a lot more people,” he said. “I’m experiencing a lot more people coming to the ministries. It also creates a problem, too, because you have to have more resources. But it’s a good problem because the people are coming.”

He added that churches cannot expect to thrive by focusing inward, even during difficult times.

“If the church wants to grow, it’s got to go” Dean declared.

Because California Southern Baptists pray for and give to the California Mission Offering Dean is helping congregations with community ministries to demonstrate “Love With Action.”

To view a short video of Ken, click here.