The Urban Halo - Craig Greenfield

Craig Greenfield narrates this incredible story re-telling the way God called him and his wife Nay to relocate into one of the world's most desperate slums - in Phnomn Penh, Cambodia. As you can imagine the decision to immerse into a foreign culture opened the door to a plethora of challenges as well as some incredible insights into the nature of the participating in the Missio Dei.

With a particular focus upon work amongst children and youth and with a golden thread of seeking authentic relationships with residents of the slum community that became home there are many paralllels with Eden's theology and practice. Those of us living incarnationally in the 'urban slums' of Western nations ought to be rightly challenged by the integrity of the ministry Craig and his team have pioneered which is succinctly put in the closing chapter:

"The church has been slow to respond to the call to practice true compassion, to suffer alongside, to follow Jesus into dark places. Preferring instead to keep the poor at arm's length, we have chosen service delivery and charity over real relationships. This allows us to maintain our lifestyles, while feeling good about our generosity"

And if you find yourself squirming a bit after reading that, well good, Craig has earned the right to make us squirm.