#41: Urban Leader & Author Brings The Gospel to The Hood

You remember the movie "Boyz N The Hood" but what about the Gospel in the hood? That's what this week's guest on the Run The Race podcast is focused on. I introduce him as an urban missionary and explain what that is. (4:48) Baron Elias Klaif is an author, leader and evangelist in West Georgia, the founder and director of a ministry/movement called Block Huggers. We start with a serious topic: racial unrest, tension with police, plus what Christians can and should do about all the division or "beef" as he calls it. Hospitality and compassion, like Jesus showed us, can be weapons for good. Same for sharing meals with those that don't look like us. In the "Fast Four" rapid fire questions, (11:23) this full-time dad to 3 daughters talks about his different community outreaches. (13:22) Elias also has a major heart condition that requires him to have a pacemaker, but he still tries to stay fit and walks regularly. No excuses. Even with half of his heart working, this author says he's still "using my brokenness to serve the broken." As everyone looks for hope, he talks about the difference between happiness and joy, also what you should do when you want to throw in the towel - like him, when he struggled with anxiety and depression. His advice is not to suffer alone: "A Christian in isolation is the devil's lunch meat." What is Block Huggers? (21:03) In a time when sharing your faith is at an all-time low, we learn about this urban discipleship evangelism ministry. (24:23) Elias also holds prayer walks after shootings to help push back the darkness, discussing the difference between witnessing in the hood vs. the suburbs. He has a challenge for you about putting politics aside and spreading the Gospel! (28:00) From his new book "Good Mourning Joy: A Practical Theology of Joy for the Everyday Sufferer," Elias talks growing up in a broken home in Brooklyn, losing loved ones and friends, meeting spiritual needs of others, and a pain free Heaven. And with the presidential election less than a month away, (31:08) he is not afraid to talk about his Biblical world view on abortion, mass incarceration, explaining how being a "Woke" Christian includes being focused on social issues. (35:18) While he walks, he prays and shares inspiration on social media videos. He also spends plenty of time at the liquor store or "pop up shop" - encouraging people in places where churches often don't go. (40:01) Elias closes us in Prayer. The "Food for Thought" segment (42:42) is about the similarities of exercising and evangelism, also gaming as a spiritual tool, then the "Parting Gift" is from C.S. Lewis' famous book "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe." Thanks for listening! Make sure to subscribe to this podcast. And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRacePodcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.