Urban Poor Ministries
In the past 40 years, more than two billion people have migrated from rural areas to cities all over the world. Few governments and social systems can support this massive influx of people into their cities. So why are people drawn to the city? They are in search of employment, homes, prosperity, and most importantly hope. We are committed to reaching out to the urban poor in the name of Christ.
We seek to minister to the whole person no matter what the economic status. Our vision is to establish holistic ministries that intentionally address the critical needs of the poor throughout the world. Our desire is that the poor experience economic, physical, social, and spiritual transformation. Social justice issues are naturally addressed as communities experience this transformation.
On every continent, cities draw huge numbers of people into ever-expanding populations of urban poor. Their poverty is more than an absence of food and shelter; it is total repression of the human spirit. We work with the urban poor in their communities primarily through the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) strategy: helping them to identify their needs, their God-given resources, and some possible solutions to improve their situations. Spiritual teaching releases the power of Christ into the communities as people understand God’s purpose and vision for their lives.
CHE often includes instruction on hygiene, clean water, safe cooking, latrines, health care, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, and other basic life issues. Microenterprise provides opportunity to encourage income generating activities for the poor, sometimes in partnership with a local church. Vocational training enables individuals to learn skills that will enable them to be gainfully employed. CHE outreach is committed to mature Christian leadership as programs are oriented toward reaching non-Christians and focused on evangelism, follow-up, and discipleship.
Currently, we have urban poor ministries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Pachuca, Mexico; Mexico City, Mexico; Chiang Mai, Thailand; and with our Hope Partnership program in Nairobi, Kenya. Research is ongoing as to how we might use these methods in urban centers in other locations in Latin America and throughout Asia as well.
