It’s amazing the way God orchestrates things sometimes. I jokingly mentioned to a pastor who works in Uptown to refer us to someone who wanted to give away a big house so that we could live in it for free. He asked if I had heard of Apartment Life. I hadn’t. He told me to look into it.
So I did. Turns out, Apartment Life is a non-profit Christian organization that works with apartment property management companies to increase renter retention rates by creating a sense of community among residents. It makes sense: the more friends you have, the more likely you are to renew your lease, thus making the property management company more money.
Apartment Life creates community through “CARES Teams”: a team of two people who live in the apartment community and serve as the social directors and pseudo-chaplains, for lack of better terms. They throw parties, visit new residents and make themselves available to help if any resident has a need.
The benefit to the CARES Team is—get this—a lease on a standard two-bedroom apartment at no cost.
And wouldn’t you know, Apartment Life has relationships with property management companies that own apartment complexes in Uptown/Downtown Dallas. Needless to say, Julie and I are extremely interested in getting a free apartment for doing the types of things we’d already be doing as we start this new church—not to mention the fact that the cost of living in Uptown is so high. We’ve made it through the initial screening and have a two-hour interview on Wednesday.
Why does Apartment Life do what they do? Simply, they want to draw unchurched people into Christian community. Strikingly, Apartment Life presents statistics on its website that show that 95% of people who live in apartment communities in the United States are unchurched (compared to 60% who own homes).Two of the requirements of CARES Team members are the ability to share one’s faith and a personal sense of calling to such a ministry. Sounds like a fit to me.
Please join us in prayer that God will continue to lead us forward in mission, and that he will give us and Apartment Life discernment about whether or not this is the right fit. We’re far from locked into it, so pray that we’ll do well in our interview on Wednesday.
You can check out the website at http://www.caresteam.org.
Hey Chuck,
What a blessing this apartment deal sounds like. Could you have planned this interaction with this group as well as it’s coming together. Quite a turn of events from posting, “Whirlwind” to “Apartment Life”. Ain’t God good! Haven’t had a chance to look at the Circle of Life site yet. I will be praying God continues to light a path for you and Julie to follow. I will continue to give praise for the work He’s doing in you both.
Lots of Love Bro,
ROBDOG
Thanks for sharing the news, not only so everyone can see the power of living faithfully, but so that we have the opportunity to pray for you guys.
I cannot see anyone else being a better fit for “Cares”, and will pray that God places your family where you can best serve Him.
I pray that things go well with the interview today. I’ll give Chan a call right now and tell him.
Love you guys!