Plant Healthy Urban Churches: Oakland, CA
We believe that the transformative power of Christ is best delivered through the church. By planting healthy urban churches in under-resourced communities, lives are transformed in visible ways. “The local church is a tool in the hand of our King Jesus to build the Kingdom,” said Bay Area Director, Curtis Flemming. “One of the best ways we can do this is through the associates program.” By providing financial support, Biblical training and leadership development to key individuals who are already doing the work on the ground, we can help fulfill God’s calling in under-resourced communities plagued with crime and violence.
Recent Associates include: Pastor Marvin in San Francisco, who ministers to the poor and disenfranchised; East Oakland resident Pastor Bernard Emerson who’s a strong leader and passionate preacher of the word; and Pastor Chris Williams in Antioch, which is becoming the fastest growing segment of relocated poor people in the Bay Area.
Develop Missional Partnerships: Los Angeles, CA
Before taking on the role of City Director in Los Angeles, Pete Watts planted The Rock Church through the Reformed Church of America denomination (RCA). Establishing that church was a unique endeavor for both Pastor Watts and the RCA, because it was to be the first church of color to be planted on the West Coast under the Reformed network. With the success of the Rock Church, the RCA now has called for 22 more churches to be planted in the west, 40% of which targeted toward African-American and Hispanic communities.
Now, with a missional partnership between our L.A. City Director and the RCA denomination, more urban churches are scheduled to emerge. Pastor Cedric Nelms was an Associate and pastor of a World Impact-chartered house church. Now his church is slated for growth and sustainability through financial support, coaching and strong theological foundations of the RCA. But it doesn’t end there. “The RCA has agreed to pilot TUMI classes at The Rock Church,” Watts explains. “Now we will be sending urban church planters to The Rock. Their training will also grant partial commission by the RCA.” This means a TUMI student can fulfill a large portion of the requirements set forth by the RCA to be a commissioned pastor and to teach and pastor any RCA church.
Resource Urban Leaders: Richmond CA
Through the TUMI curriculum, people in prison are being given the opportunity for seminary-level training, and a portion of these will be called by God into leadership roles once they are released. We want to develop future pastors who are reentering society from prison, which is why we have launched the Siafu Men’s Pastoral Training home in Richmond, CA. Recognizing that there are few opportunities for men with criminal backgrounds to become effective pastors of healthy churches, World Impact has teamed up with Pastor Aaron Roy, of Living Hope Neighborhood Church. A home was rented next to his church with a prison reentry grant from Serving California. Pastor Roy is an ex-offender himself and is working with World Impact to develop a successful path for the formerly incarcerated to become pastors.
Upon release from prison, Anthony moved into this Siafu home. Anthony had been to prison five times, but God’s calling on his life to teach and shepherd is now clear. While Anthony continues his TUMI training, he is being discipled by Aaron and Assistant Pastor Dave. More of Anthony’s development lies in serving the local church. He leads Bible studies, teaches children’s ministry and helps feed the homeless. He has even been given the opportunity to preach sermons at the church, under Aaron’s tutelage. “The vital key in all of this,” Anthony says, “is the opportunity and room for growth. I preached at the chapel and led men’s groups in prison. Now I’m learning from an established pastor with a similar history, and will one day plant a church.”
Demonstrate Compassion and Justice: The Oaks, Lake Hughes, CA
One of the ways World Impact demonstrates compassion and justice is through Christian camps. Many Christians from suburban backgrounds have had the opportunity to go to camp. There is something freeing about getting away and reconnecting with nature. Many barriers come down when people go to camp, and new understandings of God’s Word are obtained. World Impact wants to offer this experience to the urban poor.
At The Oaks camp in Lake Hughes, CA, campers experience a combination of wilderness, adventure and fun. The camp offers everything from rope challenges to swimming and zip lines to paintball. Students are exposed to God through Gospel messages, songs and campfire gatherings. Marketing and Communications Dir. Jared Meidal is particularly excited how the camp positions itself to serve the urban communities. “Rather than bring kids up for a great experience, and then dump them back into their cities, we look to establish leaders through local churches who can bring the kids to camp,” says Jared. “We exist to provide a great camp experience, but we offer the leadership to the local churches and people in the cities that already have established relationships with at-risk youth.” Currently, The Oaks camp host over 350 churches a year, and through that, many urban children and teenagers are now offered the unique experience of going to camp.