Seeing Jesus in East Harlem: What Happens When Churches Show Up and Stay Put

by José Humphreys

We are all located in different places. And the way we grow as disciples and lead others in spiritual growth depends on our contexts.

Pastor José Humphreys recognizes how deeply our faith is tied to our particular stories in our particular places. Grounded in his own deep faith and wisdom, he writes out of his experiences as a Puerto Rican pastor who has planted a multiethnic church in East Harlem. In this book, he offers a framework to help church leaders take discipleship seriously in their places, calling them to show up, stay put, and see what God is doing in their midst. Combining spiritual formation with activism, vivid narrative with exhortation, and realism with hopefulness, Humphreys offers pastors and church planters a thoughtful look at discipleship in a complex world.

Genres: Theology, Church, Social Issues, Faith, Race, Ecclesiology, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 9, 2018

About the author

The Reverend José Humphreys is a facilitator and pastor of Metro Hope Covenant Church, a multiethnic and multicultural church in East Harlem, New York City. Humphreys is involved in shalom-making in New York City through facilitating conversation, contemplation, and action across social, economic, cultural, and theological boundaries.

Reviews

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the pastor of a predominantly white suburban church that once lived in Detroit. We moved, like many churches, because the majority of our people lived in the suburbs. We tried to stay put, but in the end it made better sense as a diminished church to allow another congregation to make use of the historic building. The choice was probably correct, but I am attuned to stories of being present i the community. To be honest suburban communities need congregations to be present, to demonstrate God's love and grace, as well as challenging the status quo. So, now we are trying to stay put in the community we are planted after forty years. I write this as preface to my reviewing this book by Jose Humphreys, Seeing Jesus in East Harlem. One of the things I've learned over time as a white male pastor, is that it is important for me to listen to the stories of those who have traditionally lived on the margins of American society. Thus, a book for me and others to read carefully.

Jose Humphreys is a pastor serving a congregation in East Harlem that is multi-ethnic and multcultural. He is Black and Puerto Rican and Evangelical, and writes from that social location. He writes to inspire and critique the church to pursue God's calling in the world. He tells the story of Metro Hope Covenant Church --- by his estimation a small congregation. The point of the book is to call us to a form of discipleship where we show up and stay put. It is a call to see the community, and engage it fully. These are the three themes that organize the book.

He speaks of showing up, that is, the way in which "we individually and corporately [respond] to God's daily invitations and [bring] ourselves in truth and grace." It is a call to incarnational living in the community. After we show up, we stay put, by "dwelling richly with God and others while occupying and holding space together as church communities." Finally, there is the call to see---what kind of transformation is present in the community and the lives of the people we encounter and serve with. In other words, where do we see Jesus present.

This is an important book because it invites us to envision the urban landscape and ponder the ways in which the church is and can be present. It's not easy being present, but congregations like Metro Hope show us the way. This isn't a plan for amazing church growth. This is a vision of presence, of incarnation. It's a cliche, but perhaps that old adage about blooming where we're planted has some meaning here.

In the closing paragraphs, Humphreys writes presciently that "while I believe we in North America are experiencing to some degree the end of the American evangelical church as we know it, we now have an opportunity to maintain a different vantage point as a church that shows up, stays put, and sees God's loving work in the world. When one follows the crucified Christ, it's inevitable that the character of love will go beyond sentiment" (pp. 222-223). Yes, this is a call to move beyond a sentimental backward looking triumphalist form of Christendom where nation and church are merged at the hip toward a church that is truly present, and truly represents the Gospel revealed in Jesus. Here's the kicker -- this is generational work. It won't happen overnight. But, as he notes "faith will nourish our imaginations in such a way that we begin to envision things once impossible as now inevitable, happening in ways only God can orchestrate" (p. 223). That last phrase can be read in a number of ways, one of which is deterministic. I will choose to read this as invitation to participate with God in living out the Good News.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Racial reconciliation" is a term that I have only really heard since moving South, actually, really since coming to the church that I attend here. I know someone that is from the Spanish Harlem in NYC. I am interested in learning how to love people within the inner city well--before I moved South I attended church in Kensington, Philly... and while it was insanely difficult to break in (people told me that I wouldn't be accepted there because I was a white girl and I smiled too much) when I left I felt like I was leaving my family.

These are all reasons that I asked for a reviewer's copy of this title.

There are a lot of things I really, really appreciate about this book. I appreciate how Humphreys created a safe space for people of diverse backgrounds (ethnic and religious) to come together and ask each other questions and share their stories. I really appreciated the model he presented of making it a space for awkwardness to be brought out--sometimes it feels like we have made it so impossible for people to ask questions without causing offense. So sometimes it feels safer to sit in ignorance than to risk asking the questions that could offend others. During my time at Urban Hope, the church in Kensington, I was continually humbled. I ran into brick walls and open arms through my questions and interactions. People that I was afraid to approach... well, I would challenge myself to step into their space and try to hear their stories. From that I became so close with people that even after 5 years I still want to go back.

This book breaks down the model of showing up, staying put, and seeing for a church community.

Guys, I don't really know how to properly review this title because so much was covered.
Instead, I'm going to write some of the ideas that I am thinking about now after finishing. If you want to know more... I would say ask me.... but how about you read the book for yourself? ;]

1. Creating safe spaces for communication (this isn't from the book but is related to this, "You can't hate someone once you've heard their story."-- that is why I agree that a safe space like Humphreys tried to create is important and necessary.)
2. Churches needing to stay in their communities and being a part of their communities, getting to know the small businesses that surround the area.
3. How whiteness has effected the evangelical church. (This is something that I've been thinking about not just in racial terms but also how being "American" affects Christianity and how we live out what God called us to be.)
4. Okay, making this list isn't really even working..... This is an really good resource. I don't think that it should only be pigeon holed for inner city ministries but used for others to adjust their ministry models for reaching out and building community in the community and amongst the community of believers.

I received a complimentary copy of this title in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Marco Ambriz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, I came to this book expecting to hear some really great stories and reflections from José Humphreys about his experiences, his community and his dynamic ministry. (It is definitely worth reading just for those things and more.) But what I didn’t expect, however, was how much it would also speak into my own life as a person of color and how it would encourage me to greater faithfulness, vision and discipleship in the ministry context where I serve in Oakland. In Seeing Jesus in East Harlem, José Humphreys has brilliantly found a way to share his story as an Immigrant Latino Pentecostal boy growing up in East Harlem and the forming of a local neighborhood church while simultaneously inspiring deep reflection of the gospel of Jesus, the great commission and a practical call for the American church to be a prophetic witness and loving presence in just about any context where we serve. While the stories and heart-cry of East Harlem are moving and touching, this book is so much more than a memoir of one specific community. It is an invitation for Pastors and Christian leaders to engage their own soul, body, culture, and communities for a more authentic and practical discipleship and mission for the cosmic gospel of Jesus. With honesty, humility and prophetic courage, Humphreys addresses the need for the American church to "Show Up, Stay Put and See” their cities, communities and neighbors for a "deeper discipleship for the glory of God and the good of our global family. Not just for our own sake, but also for the sake of future generations who will eventually show up for God’s invitation.” 


This book is for you if you are seeking...


Encouragement and Inspiration for Pastors and Christian leaders serving in under-resourced areas or leading ministries that desire to see community transformation for kingdom impact.


Affirmation and Validation of the Black, Brown, Asian and/or Immigrant Christian voice that has been greatly marginalized in a primarily white evangelical echo-chamber in our country. 


A humble and challenging call to White and European Culture Christians who want to listen, understand and partner with their non-white friends for the Great Commission and significant Christian community impact


A practical yet deep theological primer for Christian thinkers and theologians on a biblical, Christ-centered contextual ecclesiology for the American church of today. 


Seeing Jesus in East Harlem is inspiring me to more faithfully see Jesus in East Oakland and beyond.

[Elisha Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puerto Rican pastor grew up on the lower East side. Experienced a life of poverty but sees a ton of beauty in it. Book focuses on seeing the good that God is doing there rather than just the bad.

The breakdown of sin is like the unraveling of a scarf

How am I contributing to the breakdowns and divisions that exist in society? Am I afraid of certain people groups not knowing how to interact and welcome them?

Incarnation- imagine the acts of Jesus (not just his sayings); think about what the scenes were like and what doing what he did felt like

If we do trace his acts, we’ll end up with ordinary people on the margins of society

Become a student of other peoples struggles so we can serve them with nuance and distinction

People of color need to recognize they have a history of people like them loving God, making a difference

White people must enter these spaces as learners

We are all a world of redemptive possibilities
• Gospel must by dynamic enough to bring real healing in every dimension of life (physical, mental, spiritual, social)

The church will turn in on itself without finding fresh biblical ways of imagining and communicating our precious story

Formative public ministry is teaching people to be prayerfully responsive to the works around them in real time

Responses to disaster can feel like drops in the ocean but that is what makes our collective responses acts of faith

Worship is connected to Gods concern for the world

Our work is a reflection of Gods Kingdom
• Zacchaeus life-change meant a shift in the economy around him; imagine how he stuck out from other tax collectors
• Our work is an extension of the church’s mission to the world
• How can we get on Gods agenda for your work in the world?
• They did cash mobs where the church volunteered as servers, worship band played live music, and parishioners came to patronize with a local restaurant
• He has never seen a just version of gentrification and encourages people to support local businesses because it can help the neighborhood
• Doesn’t have to be huge; be okay with doing the right thing in a small way and serving as a signpost of Gods Kingdom whether it makes a big difference that is evident or not

Suffering gives us eyes to see the people around us in a more vivid way
• We recognize the people around us who are going through difficulty we may have experienced
• The table is a means to share in suffering, joy and encouragement together

Mark moment during formative life transitions
& heading for an imagination out of time

The importance of the Sunday gathering


These are the transitions he was talking about

“Art is there to say something special, no matter how long it lives.”

Great image for first impressions


God works from within places of suffering not from a safe distance
• The times he is talking about marking or acknowledging are also times of pain for people
• This helps people to process their collective trauma
• He calls it a rebirth of a hopeful imagination
• Christ is present in our trauma, in his body he took in the deep trauma of crucifixión

Problem in churches
• Sentimental about doing the mission but not actually doing it
• Ministry that is disconnected from actual people

The greatest enemy of the church today is not atheism but sentimentality
Stanley Hauerwas

One can fall in love with the idea of changing the world but go no further to fulfill the demands (to love).
• Fall in love with love while shirking efforts to love well
• Can’t have being a hero in mind
• That will destroy your efforts
• The work is hard, far less glorious than it sounds when it’s talked about

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received my masters degree in urban ministry leadership, and have since become a church planter in multi-ethnic, multi-racial, urban context. Over the course of this ten year period in my life, I never once came across a book like "Seeing Jesus in East Harlem". If I had, there are many mistakes I might have been able to evade. Certainly, miscues and missed opportunities are inevitable, however, there are many I could have avoided had I been exposed to the kind of wisdom offered in this work.

"Seeing Jesus in East Harlem" is both theological and practical. Throughout the book José calls church is called to be a faithful witness in a divided culture by focusing on the hard work of building unity among churches, investing in the social and economic prosperity of the city and an embracing an incarnational approach to ministry. Truthfully, while José writes this book from and for an urban context, "Seeing Jesus in East Harlem" is informative and helpful for church life and ministry in any context.

I have been blessed by being in relationship with and learning from José. I am so thrilled that he has written this book to encourage and challenge the church in the same ways he has done so for me. José is a faithful minister of the Gospel in his context and to the church at large. You will be doing yourself and your community a great service by investing in this invaluable resource.

[Ashlee Eiland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick but meaningful read for anyone longing to be inspired for a different, more incarnational vision of “church.” As someone leading a new expression of church community, I found this book to be refreshing and a hub for many new ideas and practical next steps.

[Chris Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We are not called to simply build churches, but to build churches that cultivate ecologies of grace.” To a church that is seeking to cultivate such an ecology, in our own place and season, the insights, experiences and exhortations captured here are a gift.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! In a world where racial diversity and racial tension are still alive and well, it was so refreshing to read about a place and time when people came together as people, and were able to get past the color of skin and truly succeed. It warms my heart to know that places like this exist in America.

[Will Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first heard of Jose Humphreys from an IVP Podcast on gentrification. I’m a church planter in Philly who is deep in the mix of a neighborhood in transition. There are drug dealers on the corners while half a million homes are being built next door. It’s an inexplicable situation. I was impressed listening to Humphreys and found myself in agreement with his thoughts on the church in relation to gentrification. I was looking forward to reading his book.

I need to step back for a moment to make a confession: I don’t like poetry. My brain isn’t wired to comprehend poetic language as well as I’d like. And I just don’t enjoy it. My wife loves it. I’ve tried, but beyond reading the poetry of Scripture I am just not interested. This is what made reading Seeing Jesus in East Harlem so hard for me. Humphrey writes too poetically for my taste. Half the time I wasn’t even sure what he was saying. I kept thinking, no one talks this way so why write like this.

An example: “To recover a full gospel is to see Christ in more places than ever, tethering the breakdowns in self and the world, locating God’s web of grace that holds us and heals us, encouraging us to show ourselves again and again” (Loc. 275). See, my wife would read that and be like, okay. I read that and am left scratching my head. Why do we need to recover a “full gospel”? What does he mean by “full gospel”? Tethering breakdowns? Encouraging us to show ourselves again and again? What? There were far too many sentences and paragraphs that just left me shaking my head, unable to grasp Humphreys’ intention.

I try to give all the authors I read the benefit of the doubt, but when I am not able to process clearly what I am reading I tend to throw up intellectual walls. Why is it so hard to write plainly? I get that more artsy people are drawn to this type of writing. Speaking only for myself, I just can’t do it. Reading through Seeing Jesus, I often felt like the disciples after just hearing one of Jesus’ confusing parables. And not in a good way.

With that out of the way, I do appreciate his focus on planting and building churches that cultivate ecologies of grace. I would have liked a clearer definition of what soil these churches are to be rooted in, what water we should be pouring out upon them for growth, and how we should prune them to maturity. In short, I would have liked greater clarity on the Gospel and its implications.

He seems to fall into the camp that the Gospel has holes, or is insufficient, or is not big enough, etc. He often talks about the need for a “bigger” view of the Gospel but never really explains or defines what he means. The problem with this is that it confuses the Gospel for the implications of the Gospel. The Gospel is big enough, great enough, and lacks nothing. The Gospel is the work of God’s Son upon the cross. It is his death for our sins, his priestly work securing for us an eternal redemption, his intercession before the Father on our behalf. The implications of that Gospel are that we have new life, we are re-created, we have been made and redeemed to good works. And those good works play out in discipleship, pursuing justice in all its forms, loving God and loving one another.

Some positives that I appreciated:

1. His love for the local church. “I love the local church, with all its hopes, dreams, and beautiful letdowns” (Loc. 44). The local church is where the rubber hits the road. The local church is Christ’s body on full display, warts and all. The local church is Christ’s beautiful bride. Humphreys is a pastor who loves Christ’s body.

2. I appreciate his understanding of the church’s diversity: “God’s guest list will include all sorts of strange people who might not typically belong together” (Loc. 102). That is no doubt what heaven will be like. In some respects, we will be surprised at who is there and shocked at who is not.

3. His focus on the imago dei is commendable even if I don’t agree with (or fully understand for that matter) the implications he attempts to draw from it. The “embodied” language quickly became overused, however (Loc. 489f). This is thoughtful: “Shalom is when the image of God is recognized in every single human. Shalom is our calling as followers of Jesus’s gospel. It is the vision God set forth in the garden and the restoration God desires for every relationship” (Loc. 959). The challenge with all “transformative” views of culture is the question of how God’s already, but not-yet kingdom plays into things.

4. Focus on the church’s idols such as “whiteness” etc. is helpful, but not deep enough. It’s too surface level. What are the deeper, root idols behind “whiteness,” racism, etc.? What are the idols behind the idols, the sins behind the sins? We need to go deeper.

5. I appreciated his call for Christians who are moving back into the city (gentrifiers) to be aware of the economic disparities and hardships of their neighborhood. And even to consider how they are negatively affecting the neighborhood that they have moved into (Loc. 1124).

6. The best take-a-way, in my opinion is his idea of the church as an ecological community of grace. To be a follower of Jesus “in its very essence is a communitarian practice” (Loc. 1238). “Growth in Christ is slow and happens best in the ecology of a community” (Loc. 1224). I don’t believe we need to take it as far as they did by having families physically living together, but there is much to be said and worked out in practice for the church as family.

7. I also appreciated his focus on the Sunday gathering. Many of these types of books tend to disparage gathered worship, but Humphreys sees the importance of the church’s liturgy for the practice of community and family practice as the local body of Christ.

Churches, who stay put in their communities, are visible manifestations of Christ’s body to the world. When my African American brothers and sisters walk into this white guy’s house to worship Christ together we are sending a message to our friends and neighbors. The world sees no reason for us to be together. The Gospel of Jesus Christ speaks differently. We are being counter-cultural by gathering as a diverse but unified body. And I believe Christ is honored by the diversity and unity of our church on full display.

Even though I found Seeing Jesus in East Harlem not to my reading taste and I have serious concerns with how he defines the gospel and its implications there is much practical wisdom once you wade through the opacity of writing style.

(This Kindle edition was read through NetGalley's review program and the citations/references are from an unfinished Kindle copy. Final pages/locations may differ).

[Guesnerth Perea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pastor Jose’s book, Seeing Jesus in East Harlem: What Happens When Churches Show Up and Stay Put, is a beautiful book that tells the stories of what once was a church-plant, Metro Hope church, and how that church has remained visible, vibrant and vital in East Harlem and in New York City. By weaving first and third person narratives, Pastor Jose Humphreys tells a rewarding story of faith, discipleship, calling and mission.

Pastor Jose’s book is divided in three sections, or markers, as Jose writes in the introduction and these markers are rooted in long-standing spiritual practices of the Church. Part 1 - “Show Up” weaves stories of witnessing, vocation and embodiment and really lays a strong foundation for how “Showing Up” looks in the real world when there is an intentionality connected to it. Chapter 4, Naming Whiteness, tells a beautiful story of Metro Hope’s intentionality to be an inclusive space that named privilege yet built deep connections with all members of the congregation. Part 2 - “Stay Put” tells beautiful stories of how a commitment to permanence in East Harlem continues to lead Metro Hope to stay public, stay visible and stay together. Part 3 - “See” wraps up Pastor Jose’s theology that witnessing / discipleship should lead to and sow patience and that patience comes to fruition when we see what God wants to do even if that is, how Pastor Jose puts it, being de-centered and having to see church, and therefore people, from a different vantage point.

Church planting has become such a fad within urban, cosmopolitan Christianity that the ideas of permanence, stability and constancy are ignored as powerful testimonial spiritual disciplines. Seeing Jesus in East Harlem: What Happens When Churches Show Up and Stay Put, tells the story of a mindful commitment by Jose and his family and a church, Metro Hope, to “seek the shalom of the city,” more specifically East Harlem, and stay put as they believed in the vision and mission God had placed in their hearts and are seeing it through even now.

Pastor Jose’s stories, personal narratives, and mindful cultural analyses, tell beautiful stories and lead us to answer the call Pastor Jose places in the introduction when he writes “Today’s world requires a deeper discipleship for the glory of God and the good of our global family. Not only for our own sake, but for the sake of future generations who will eventually show up for God’s invitation.” For me, the story of Seeing Jesus in East Harlem is a story that challenges me to be more intentional with my discipleship, I pray it will challenge you as well!

[Derek Minno-Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I think of Harlem, I think of James Baldwin and Malcolm X. These are two amazing human beings who didn't have the best relationship with the church. I believe that this book , Seeing Jesus in East Harlem: What Happens When Churches Show up and Stay Put, shares a community vision that Malcolm and Baldwin could buy into. This book illustrates that white supremacy culture no longer needs to be the dominant church narrative, that instead of colonization churches can be part of a liberation process for all. Like Baldwin, Humphrey believes that love is real and a fierce tool to fight fear and oppression. This book is filled with sincerity, vulnerability, integrity, feminism, and justice and gives hope to the present and future church.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a part of Metro Hope Church was a magical experience. People who had no business being together, did life together. Not only that, we were empowered to ask hard questions of ourselves and each other as well as to live out the Gospel truthfully in our own unique ways while always putting a premium on community. But we all know behind magic is a lot of hard work, preparation, and experimentation. In this beautiful book, Pastor José shares his personal story and interweaves it with the story behind the magic of Metro. Seeing Jesus in East Harlem is an inspirational look at the people, ideas, and theology behind this magical place that changed my life and many others.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing Jesus in East Harlem
What Happens When Churches Show Up and Stay Put
by José Humphreys
InterVarsity Press


Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 09 Oct 2018

I am reviewing a copy of Seeing Jeaus in East Harlem through Intervarsity Press and Netgalley:


We all come from different places, and some of us come from many places, but often where we come from can be reflected in our walk. Our faith has its own stories, stories that are uniquely ours.


In this book Pastor Jose Humphrey’s reminds us how our faith is deeply tied to our stories in our places.


I give Seeing Jesus in East Harlem five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Tyler Yoder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the overall vision for this book, but the execution left quite a bit to be desired. The writing felt clunky and disjointed and there were a few ideas I felt like were never defined or fully fleshed out. The three main concepts are great and I think they can be helpful for pastors and church planters as they consider the role of their church in their neighborhood, but I felt like the fleshing out of those concepts focused on what worked in Humphrey's context instead of also including what it might look like elsewhere.
All in all, I wouldn't quickly recommend this book except in specific cases, but I certainly don't regret reading it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a book I need to slow down and read with a notebook beside me. Jose Humphreys shares so much wisdom in this book from a humble perspective of a leader at an impactful church. The writing is approachable yet with a lot of depth, and the stories he shares are relevant and connected to the topic at hand. This is a book that I would want anyone to read who doesn't understand the role of community development in the full gospel.

[Timothy Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great and profound work on the gift and ministry of presence for churches. Jose really gives a great theological and incarnational framework for why churches need to not just exist in their communities but dwell and incarnate there. This book is filled with practical stories both from Jose’s church, Metro Hope, as well as many other churches and orgs and how presence can usher transformation to a community and participate in the greater ecology that the church exists in.

[Amy Bloyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was assigned reading for a seminary class. As a story of “how one church does things,” I found this book to be interesting! If a church small group chose to read this book together with the goal of discussing how the concepts apply in their own context, I think it would be a great conversation starter and jumping off point. Reading it for myself was thought provoking, but I did not feel as if much of it was readily applicable in my context (rural versus Harlem).

[Alli Ramsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely catered more toward pastors or people in positions of leadership within their respective churches (as evident in the reflection questions at the end of each chapter), but it’s still a good read for anyone who is interested in facilitating a church that fully reflects the image of God.

[Sarah Butterfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a lot out of this read, even though the intended audience was church leaders. I learned a lot about how the church can effectively engage with social issues and love people well.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great picture of embodied, incarnational presence in a neighborhood, with all the complexities that arise.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this book 20 years ago when I was first introduced to topics like “justice” and “reconciliation” and “incarnational ministry.” Almost every “woke” book I’ve read leaves me wondering “What is this supposed to look like in real life?” Other books provide the personal narratives of missional living but lack theological sharpness and treat more controversial topics (i.e. white privilege) either in a superficial manner or not at all. This is one of the very few books I’ve found that have it all.
This is the book I’ve been waiting for.
This is the book I would give to my non-Christian friends who want to know more about what I believe and how I try and live out my faith.
This is the book I would give to my Christian friends who want to know more about what it means to live a life of faithful presence in the city.
This is the book I would give to those who have been disillusioned, disappointed and hurt by the (Western) Church.
This is the book I would give to anyone who is yearning for a better world and a more hopeful future.