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Recent Posts & Updates
Transforming a Community Together
After a bullet came through the window of Good Samaritan Church on Avon Avenue in Newark, the pastor gave me a challenge to do something to change our community. Then God gave me a vision to shut down the violence on Avon Avenue just for one day. Within a month, that powerful vision came into fruition through an event called The Power of One Unity Day Festival.
Partnering with Associates
One of the ways we resource urban leaders is through our World Impact Associates program. An Associate is an independent contractor who incubates and/or plants churches, forms Urban Church Associations, develops Siafu Chapters, conducts select urban ministry projects, or establishes additional satellite campuses of The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI).
One Year From Ferguson
Sunday was the one-year anniversary of the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO. His death came as the result of a very unfortunate conflict with Officer Darren Wilson. This incident caused our nation to slip deeper into the chasm of the racial divide.
Transformation on the Inside
TUMI partners with ministries who want to train their Christian leaders, including men and women in prisons and jails. We would like to offer TUMI’s training to every inmate who desires to be more effective in ministry.
The Aesthetics of the Gospel
When God created the heavens and earth, He did it as an artist. He laid out the stars and planets, covered the earth with dirt and grass, and filled the open spaces with water, rivers and streams. He then dug into the dirt and fashioned man in His image and likeness. God Himself is an artist.
The Power of Team
My wife Cathy and I recently traveled to Wichita, KS, to participate in The Urban Ministry Institute’s 2015 Summit, which was inspiring, motivating, and encouraging.
Let the City Leaders Rise!
Whenever I watch news stories about violent urban riots unfolding, my heart becomes deeply grieved.
Missionary Kids
“Cling to God more. You’ll get through it, even when it’s tough.” This was the response given to me by a missionary kid (MK) when I asked him what advice he would give to other MKs.
Our Future Leaders
I believe in student leadership development. One of the core beliefs that Urban Youth Worker’s Institute instilled in me was the idea that developing student leaders is one of the most worthwhile ways to invest our time and resources.
Shared Experience, Shared Hope
It was the end of our annual women’s retreat. I was cleaning up some odds and ends while people were saying their goodbyes all around me.
Midwest Regional Update
Last week concluded our youth camps at MSR Camp & Retreat Center. Our schedule stays fully booked year-round with youth and family camps, conferences, Christmas in the Country and all sorts of small group retreats, volunteer projects and reunions that all support the greater mission of World Impact.
Structured Prayer
In modern evangelicalism we seem to value a more individualized spirituality. There is great emphasis on personal Bible study and quiet times, but set and structured prayers have been lost.
Reparations
No matter how many times we prepare for the summer, plan for camps, and begin our teen swim outreaches, we are always encouraged by how the Lord guides us!
Making Camp Possible
Summer is up and rolling! July is our busiest month for youth camps. This summer’s theme is CHOICES. Daily events and activities will emphasize choosing Hope, Courage, Love and Eternal Life.
Key Happenings on the Eastern Front
Eight church plant engagements through World Impact Associates have been established in Wilmington, DE; Alexandria, VA; Newburgh, NY; Hudson, NY; Coney Island, two in Brooklyn, and 10 cells in the cities of Paterson, Passaic and Newark.
World Impact Camps: A Place for Urban Renewal and Revival
Because Christian camps and conference centers tend to be in remote areas, it seems a strange place for urban renewal and revival to take place.
On the Front Lines for Eternal Life
Al-Shakeem Woodson was only 15 years old when he was gunned down on the streets of Newark on Mother’s Day of this year. He was beloved by all of the people at our ministry here in Newark and he attended our youth group on a regular basis.
Celebrating the 4th in the City
Since moving to the city almost 10 years ago (14 years for my husband Andrew), the 4th of July has become one of our favorite holidays.