Do you remember your initial reaction when you heard the UNOH story for the first time? For me it was a combination of amazement, confusion, unease and awe. Who were these people who wanted to live out the gospel and love their neighbours so literally?

During 2008 I had the opportunity to watch a small non-Christian corporate team I had worked with many times, hear the UNOH story for the first time. The group had generously offered their time and strategic and creative skills to assist UNOH, without really understanding who they were. They had signed up under the notion that UNOH was a group of “modern day monks”. They were in for a shock!

An overview of the UNOH Mission, some key facts and figures and a casual reference to the member’s vow of poverty, left them looking quite bewildered. You can forget how counter cultural UNOH’s mission is! However to ensure they gained real insight into UNOH, the meeting had been scheduled to coincide with Ash (UNOH’s international Director) being back in Melbourne from Bangkok. Having felt out of my depth, giving the overview and trying to do justice to the commitment of the UNOH team, I was relieved to handover to Ash to share personally of the UNOH calling and journey.

As if in the presence of a master story teller, the team’s eyes never left Ash as he shared some vignettes of the path the team have travelled. Stories of success were met with bright eyes and smiles, yet when the story touched on that of change and loss, there wasn’t a dry eye in the group. In that moment, in that corporate office, loving thy neighbour became something real. Personally, I was reminded again of why I support UNOH, and was sure that the corporate team would be compelled to share the UNOH stories they heard that day many times.

Inspired, the team produced some amazing work that will support UNOH for years. Yet for me, the highlight was witnessing the team members respond and commit the best of what they had to help UNOH to achieve its vision. To live in community was a step far from where they are, but in response to the vision and stories that demonstrated member commitment, they gave the best of what they had.

Sometimes I can fall into the trap of comparison. Such a dedicated and counter -cultural UNOH team, can leave me wondering if I have anything to contribute? But I remember my corporate friends, who in seeing the vision, gave the best that they had to offer. And so I commit the skills I have been given to ensure more people get to hear the UNOH story, the message of loving God and Neighbour. In 2009 it may simply be organising a morning tea for the UNOH story to be shared in my community and support to be raised. I hope you’ll join the Urban Hope Initiative and use your unique and valuable gifts to support UNOH’s vision.

Darren