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Challenged, Encouraged, and Prepared
Our church’s journey begins in the fall of 2011. I resigned from a secure position at Zion Tabernacle Baptist Church to pursue the calling God had placed in my heart – to plant a church!
Lay Leadership in the Church
During my career in both business and ministry, my family and I have moved all over the country. In fact, in almost 19 years of marriage my wife and I have been a part of 10 moves.
TUMI Student James
James is a TUMI student who was delivered by the Lord out of a radical lifestyle of drug abuse, homosexuality, and homelessness. He is now a deacon at his church and will graduate from The Urban Ministry Institute this month.
A New Women’s Movement
Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Some of the most renowned movements began with a few people who had an idea, a passion and a commitment to something beyond themselves.
Sweet Victory
One of the church planters rocked slightly back and forth at the front of the room as he remembered the road that brought him to a place of leadership.
Missional Women and Church Planting
The Bible is full of stories of God using Missional Girls and Women to serve as prophets, political leaders, and business owners to bring justice, peace, love, truth, and freedom in a broken world.
Smith April Prayer Letter
A year ago as Christine and I stood in the back of the Morning Star Ranch dining room, we listened as women sang “No longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God,” and we knew that something amazing was taking place…
Encouraging Urban Missionaries
Ministering in the urban context, cross-culturally, is a privilege, but it is also very demanding. Missionaries are like everyone else. We get tired, cranky and annoy fellow missionaries we work alongside, as well as at times annoying folks in the community!
Topeka Stories
Since I work and serve among emerging leaders and those being discipled in the heart of our city, I have opportunity to “do life” with many of them.
How to Pray for Church Planters
My wife and I were a part of a church plant for 8 years and I know how valuable the prayer support was for the building of his church. Simply put, the church would have not been planted without prayer.
TUMI Student Jason Coleman
I had already been walking with the Lord most of my life, but during my travels with these artists I was introduced to the importance of the gospel, sound theology, and its prominence in relation to who God is, who we are as His image bearers, and what He’s called us to do.
More Than a Steeple or Door
“This is the Church. This is the steeple. Open the doors and here are the people.” I was taught this little jingle in Sunday School over 45 years ago in the basement of the church my folks attended.
Faith Like a Child
“Mrs. Zamudio, could you pray with me before I go outside for recess?” said the sweet little voice of Amanda* from my kindergarten class. “Of course, sweetie! What should we pray for?” I answered. “Because I really want to stop hitting my friends, and I know God is the one who can help me to stop.”
A Deeper Understanding of Missions and Church Planting
Missions is ultimately about the journey of fulfilling the Great Commission – making disciples of every nation so that those disciples will participate in the realization of God’s Kingdom on earth. But what does this look like?
TUMI Student Derric Nimmers
My calling to be an urban church planter is connected to my love for God’s people in urban communities. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I feel like we (mainly minorities) are the most biblically illiterate people in our country.
Making Urban Disciple-Makers
I would like to share with you my BHAG. BHAG stands for “Big Hairy Audacious Goal” – an idea presented in the book Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies. A BHAG is a long-term goal that changes the very nature of a business’ existence.
