Click here to view the embedded video.

click here for the details!

Click here to view the embedded video.

for those who haven’t given time to their community…

for those who haven’t heard his call in central america, asia, or africa…

why not?

this video – a thousand questions - is from a recent conference at willow creek…

aqui estoy yo…mz

1. Mark Geissbauer is the GM of the City Stars. He came to Cleveland by way of Stuttgart (and Brazil, another good story for another day…). When I first interviewed him about his USL-2 expansion franchise 2 years ago, I asked him what his goal was. He said, “to make the playoffs.” They were an expansion team, but I thought, “OK…”…and then they made the playoffs. Year 2…”Mark, what is your goal?” “To win the USL-2 championship. Uh-huh. And of course…they did. I’m almost afraid to ask him his goals for this year, especially now that “City” has moved up to USL-1…a step below MLS.

2. I like their makeup. The team is run by Ambassadors in Sport, and has a distinctive “character” component. The City Stars spend regular time in the city of Clevleand, bringing soccer to kids who otherwise would never be able to play the game. About 50% of the players are Christians…and although that fact isn’t shouted from the housetops, it shows up in the way they handle themselves, on and off the pitch. The team tagline “Serving the City, and Changing the World” is an important part of the team’s identity.

3. I like the game. Never thought I’d ever say that…but…being from Cleveland, the most I knew about “the beautiful game” came from the Force and Crunch. Needless to say, the outdoor game makes the indoor game look like…what it is…human pinball. I went to the City Stars’ opener in 2007. I saw the speed, endurance, agility, athleticism, and guts it takes to play the game…and I’ve kept coming back ever since.

Mark interviews Musa Otieno after the City Stars won the 2008 USL-2 Championship Match vs. Charlotte

4. I like Musa Otieno. Musa is from Kenya, and is the Captain of the Kenyan National Team for their World Cup Qualifiers. He runs a ministry for street kids in Nairobi, and brings Kenyan children from different tribes together – diffusing potential inter-tribal warfare with futbol. He plays defense, he’s 6’4”, has a smile a mile-wide, and I can’t wait to take him to Ohio City to meet the African immigrants who worship at Trinity.

5. I like the price. “City” has priced the tickets so that families can get out and enjoy an evening together. Plus, they’ve created a kid-friendly atmosphere that includes getting the players lined up under a tent for a post-game autograph session after every match. The players keep signing until everyone is happy…great PR.

6. I like the “Green Army.” Having come out of “Section A” at the BGSU Ice Arena, I’m always attracted by fans who kick it up a notch. When you come to a match, sit by the “Army”…it’s loud, and it’s a lot of fun. One thing I don’t quite understand, though…if all these guys are from Ohio, how come they chant, cheer, and sing with British accents? Michael Card once told me that he was amazed at the “power a dare has over a weak mind.” This all basically came about because I “dared myself” to do it. I did baseball and hockey play-by-play at BGSU, worked with Joe Tait & Bruce Drennan as the AD for Tribe games in the early ‘80’s at Channel 43, and some football sideline reporting/high school hockey PBP with Viacom in the mid-‘80’s. (I’ve been away from it for a while…go ahead…do the math).

So…I dared myself to try out. And now they’re stuck with me. I am not a soccer expert, but I am a fast learner…and I have a good partner (and former player) in Glen Duerr. The season begins, on the road, in just a couple of weeks. The home opener is May 1^st (Fox Soccer Channel). First match on STO will be Saturday, May 9^th…they will generally be tape-delayed, and follow the Tribe games. (make sure you have some caffeine!)

So remember:
It’s a “match”, not a game.

It’s a “pitch” not a field.

You don’t guard your man, you “mark” him.

He’s not a goalie, he’s a “keeper.”

I think I’ve got a handle on this.

Let’s PLAY BALL! (no…wait…ohhh, man…)

Click here to view the embedded video.

since the first 1 night on the street in november 2007, i’ve been trying to track the results.

but with an event as essentially organic as the one we pulled off, it’s been a little difficult. after the event, we tracked over 200 people who made a commitment to come volunteer with ministries in the city of cleveland.  within 2 months, phone calls i had received led me to believe that number had grown to over 400.  this info came back to me through partner ministries that were reporting what phone calls that came direct to them was generating.

feeding the folks in ohio city

then, in late february 2008, pastor robert powell invited me to an event at the lonnie burten rec center on the near east side.  lonnie burten is the centerpiece of what was one of america’s original ‘projects’ from the 1930′s.  it’s a tough neighborhood, to say the least.

when i walked in the door, i was greeted by people who had set up a clothing distribution station.  pastor powell took me to the kitchen when a huge meal was being prepared.  dozens of volunteers were making this old rec center buzz.  then came the best part: i was told that the volunteers i saw had come together from at least 12 churches from 3 different counties.

wow.

if i could have had a wish from the genie before the event in ohio city, i would have wished for what i was looking at. and so, if you ask me how many people have become a part of volunteering in the city as a result of 1 night on the street, i must admit…i haven’t got the slightest idea…and that’s ok…right?

african immigrants barbq-ing goat (it tastes like chicken @ trinity

in the late summer, i was asked to speak to the city mission’s ongoing series of community engagement (and networking) called toward a greater cleveland. i felt like a bit of an amateur in front of a gathering that had sunk their lives into joys and challenges of the city.  i was hopeful that what i would have to say wouldn’t fall flat…the question / answer / comment time ran so long the lunch was getting cold. there is great passion for a ‘greater cleveland’.

so…where do we go from here?

in 2009, i am planning for the return of 1 night on the street. one event will take place in akron…another city that has been hit hard in the last 18 months, and another city that is filled with ministries that have been slugging it out in the trenches for a long, long time…and could really use the volunteer help.

in cleveland, the effort could take more of a ‘big event’ form…i have something in the works that i’m hopeful about, we’ll just have to see how things develop.  as they say in my business – ‘stay tuned.’ my gratitude to all who have discovered the joy of the mission field…in their own back yard.

onward…mz