For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. Matthew 25:35
We’ve all seen injustices and thought, “someone should do something about that.” We agree. Turning a blind eye to our hurting neighbors or starving children across the globe is unconscionable, not to mention hypocritical. We believe there’s a responsibility as followers of God to reweave the fabric of our world where it’s unraveling. We don’t claim to have all the answers, but are trying to do our part in the community God has placed us. If you’d like to join us in taking that “love thy neighbor” thing seriously, we’d welcome your courageous help.
In 1999, after returning from a mission trip to Ukraine, Pastor Andy Gray wondered why we didn’t do mission trips right here in Minneapolis, helping those in our own community. That summer, with two dozen volunteers and a week of service and compassion projects, Mission to the City was born.
Since then, Mission To The City has grown every year, drawing helping hands and compassionate hearts from across the country. They all come here to make a difference in our community, partnering with organizations such as Teen Challenge, Boys & Girls Club, Source Ministries, World Relief, Simpson House, Feed My Starving Children, and many others. To learn more, visit our Mission To The City home page.
Along with Mission to the City, we participate in regular compassion projects in our community. Some of our annual projects are delivering meals to families for Thanksgiving and Christmas; buying gifts for children who’s parents are in prison; a coat or school supply drive for children in need; and our annual garage sale where all proceeds go to providing meals at the Southside Village Boys & Girls Club. These are just a few of the simple ways we are trying to reweave some of the fabric in our community, and we are always looking for ways to do more and more as we are able.
Over the years, we have developed a wonderful relationship with the staff and kids at our local Boys & Girls Club (Southside Village). You’ll find us there every Thursday night assisting with activities, mentoring, homework, and just being a friend. We also have the pleasure of providing, cooking, and serving dinner twice a month for the many hungry kids that we’ve grown to love. Gifted people from the Urban Refuge have started up drama classes, science classes, even basketball camps for the kids. If you’ve got a heart for kids, we’d love to have you join us in serving those that Jesus values so much.
Launched in March of 2008, we are delighted to not only help those in our community, but others across the globe. “Kids Against Hunger – South Metro”, located at The Urban Refuge, is part of a humanitarian effort to end starvation all over the world. Twice a month after church, we package a blend of rice, soy, and vitamin enriched dry vegetables, into serving size portions to send to those in need. We also schedule packing parties throughout the week for any group that has a desire to sponsor and pack food for the needy. Our passion is to pack and ship as many meals as we can through the generosity of people and businesses in our community. If you’d like more info on this, or would like to schedule a packing party, email Chad Oltman.