LINDA: Taking the Lead in the Inner City by Judy Weidenkeller I am constantly amazed at what God has done in the eight years I have worked in urban ministry. He gives me such joy as I see Him use me. God be the glory. The building is dated, surrounded by littered streets, decaying buildings and desperately struggling lives. Once a funeral home, now it is a center dispensing hope to those who enter. What led Linda Zick, a clinical social worker, to the inner city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin? She simply followed her Leader, Jesus Christ. Linda has worked as a clinical social worker for 28 years. She began work in Christian programs, treating inpatients with addictions-middle class people who had insurance. In 1997, while driving to her private practice, she felt a compelling compassion for the central city. In obedience to what she strongly felt God was showing her, she began inner city ministry with her church, Gospel Lutheran, as a base. Jeremiah Ministry was born. Linda reached out to families of addicted men who were in a residential faith-based program, encouraging their faith through counseling and activities to help them grow in Christ. Her ministry provides a variety of resources and assistance through individual and family counseling, parenting and daily life skills classes, and after school and weekend programs. Job training for Kenyan and Hmong refugees is another part of the program. Those who attend receive instruction in cooking and cleaning skills. The Carpenter's Bench is a program teaching carpentry skills. Community members serve as mentors to young boys on Saturdays. The group has recently re-furnished an entire home. Linda also serves as the director of the S.O.S. Center in Milwaukee and blends the two ministries, spending half of her time at each of them. Through the S.O.S. outreach, she continues the work begun by Ken and Arlene Greve, concentrating on educational services through adult basic education, GED preparation, sewing classes and after school tutoring. Spiritual care is provided through Bible study, summer Vacation Bible School, daily prayer and other devotional materials. Linda and Bill Zick with three of the Carpenter's Bench Boys (Mickey, Pakito and Chad) at the open house they rehabbed for one year. Linda's greatest satisfaction comes as she sees lives change. A father, now clean and sober, treats his wife with love and raises his children with Christian principles and integrity. A family prays with their Somali housekeeper and fills requests from other Somali women for the "Jesus" film. Young people find positive activities like basketball and soccer camps organized in cooperation with local schools. Violence Prevention Programs teach a variety of problem-solving techniques. The on-going challenges are great. Although Linda sees the harvest, she also sees the great opportunities for volunteers willing to work in the fields. There is always a need for Vacation Bible School teachers, English tutors, sewing and cooking class leaders as well as spring cleaning and gardening helpers. Linda constantly deals with vandalism, apathy and the violence of the inner city. The power of darkness is a constant companion, but so is the glorious power of God's love as she almost daily is witness to His miracles through changed lives. "I believe every person in the Body of Christ owes their literal life to God and when each of us realizes this, God will direct our path as we commit to His Lordship." Linda knows she is where she should be, doing what God has called her to do. "I am constantly amazed at what God has done in the eight years I have worked in urban ministry. He gives me such joy as I see Him use me. To God be the glory." Judy Wiedenkeller is Christian Living Editor for the Lutheran Woman's Quarterly.