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 World Impact began its ministry in San Diego in 1973 with a small staff of volunteers. Our full-time staff was established in 1975 when the first staff home was purchased. Today there are ten full-time staff living in southeast San Diego and City Heights.
Our ministry center is in southeast San Diego, located at 4092 Newton Ave. This building is used for our local offices, our San Diego satellite for The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI), as well as for church services for one of our established church-plants, Inner-City Christian Fellowship.
Having worked in several areas of San Diego, including San Ysidro, East San Diego, and Linda Vista, we are currently focusing our efforts in City Heights. City Heights is located east of Interstate 15 between University Ave. and El Cajon Blvd. In this highly multi-cultural community the world has literally come to our doorstep. According to the 2000 census, 44% of City Heights’ population is foreign-born, with residents immigrating from more than 60 countries, speaking more than 40 different languages and dialects. Because of such diversity, there are numerous social service agencies assisting immigrants in assimilating to American culture. Our focus is in helping to meet the spiritual needs of the community through church-planting. Along with the cultural diversity of City Heights comes great religious diversity, as well. Islam, Buddhism, Mormonism, and Jehovah’s Witness, each have a strong presence in the community.
With City Heights being such a large community, we have concentrated our efforts in an area that is 11x3 blocks between Euclid Ave. and 54th St. Our prayer is that through a clear communication of the Gospel of Jesus Christ a church will be established in City Heights that is dedicated to building a body of believers that consists of true worshipers, who own the vision to plant other churches and is shepherded by godly men and women. Our ministry in the community takes many different forms, some of which include door-to-door evangelism, teaching English as a Second Language, small group bible studies, kids/teen clubs, as well as a regular Celebration in the Park, where we gather to worship, teach God’s word, and fellowship together.
Want to learn more? Volunteer opportunities are available. Maybe you’re not sure what you have to offer. We welcome inquiries and would love to share with you what God is doing in City Heights and explore where He may be leading you to get involved.
For more information about World Impact San Diego volunteer opportunities, contact Curt Dokken at cdokken@worldimpact.org
San Diego also offers a 7 week Summer Internship Program designed to give each participant a picture of church-planting and inner-city ministry. The program goes from mid -June through the end of July. Participants live with missionaries in the city and take part in various ministry activities such as door-to-door evangelism, park ministry, bible clubs, camping, etc. Each intern brings their own set of skills and gifts to the ministry team. We are open to incorporating these gifts and talents into the summer program if they enhance the ministry's vision. For information, contact Meredith Wolfe at mwolfe@worldimpact.org
TUMI – The Urban Ministry Institute of San Diego is a training institute that exists to equip leaders for the urban church, especially among the poor, in order to advance the Kingdom of God. If you are interested in the institute contact Rich Esseslstrom at resselstrom@worldimpact.org
For general information regarding World Impact San Diego contact our City Director, Jerry Zeller at jzeller@worldimpact.org or (619) 263-3563. |
