I serve as the pastor of Southside City Church (SCC) of Fort Worth, Texas. The Holy Spirit led us to start SCC over eight years ago now with a specific mandate to not only be a church that ministers to the poor, but to be a church for the poor. Our initial outreach was directly focused on those living in the community with HIV/AIDS. We began serving dinner in one of the local shelters and from there built relationships with the men and women. The church planted in the hospital district where folks would have quick access and the developing community would be most organic.
SCC is a small congregation of about 75 people reaching a much larger population through consistent, compassionate care and community. While about 15% of the congregation is HIV+, others face issues of poverty, addiction, divorce, homelessness and trauma from both past and current life situations. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the central theme of all we do. We recently were given a facility that planted us directly behind a local high school and blocks away from a major university. There is a larger population of Hispanic families who are eager to worship the Lord in their language. SCC is currently developing leadership to further expand the Kingdom ministry of the church in our community and the world. Initially we will grow leaders to reach into the high school and university, and then we will launch a new Spanish-speaking congregation.
The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) is an answer to prayer for SCC. The Lord knew exactly what we needed and made it possible for us to open TUMI-Fort Worth in July of this year. We are finishing up Module 1 with eight students. I’m happy to share that five of our students are current leaders in our congregation who desire to further their ability to equip and empower others. One student comes from the HIV/AIDS community. Another student is a young man who found himself homeless but has returned to the Lord with a call on his life to reach youth using his production of music and leading youth in Bible study. The final student is a precious woman who made her way to Fort Worth with only one bag of personal belongings. She moved out of the homeless shelter, into our women’s discipleship house and has become the supervisor over an organic garden ministry in the homeless community of Fort Worth.
We are overwhelmed with the way TUMI is already taking shape at SCC. Students are excited, challenged and growing. We see the application of Module 1 already taking form in our current ministry as students are teaching Bible study, leading in prayer, serving the needy and growing in their understanding and ability to communicate the Word with conviction and clarity.
Thank you and God bless you,
Darrel Auvenshine
