Matthew tells us that after leaving Nazareth, Jesus “went and lived in Capernaum.” This small fishing village on the northern shore of Galilee became the center of much of his early ministry. Many of the stories we know about Jesus happened in one city:  Capernaum. It was where he taught in synagogues, called disciples, healed the sick, entered homes, shared meals, confronted evil, welcomed outsiders, fought with religious leaders, and revealed the kingdom of God in public and private spaces.
His ministry began in a city, in a community, with people who he knew through relationships he developed over years. Yes, Jesus was an itinerant preacher, travelling throughout Israel, but he always came back to Capernaum.  Our evangelism and witness happen best when they are embedded in a place, a city, in relationships, in community. For us, evangelism will happen best when our faith is lived out in the South Bay, with the South Bay, for the South Bay.