Lincoln Heights of metropolitan Cincinnati was the first predominately African-American self-governing town in the northern part of the United States. A local manufacturing plant was the source of its financial health, employing most of the residents who lived there. Carl Westmoreland, who serves as the senior historian at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, once stated that it was America’s Soweto. “It really was a situation where people made something out of nothing.”
Not so much today. The median household income is $25,568. Compare that to the median income of the town next door (Blue Ash) where it is $65,991. As a resident of Cincinnati since 1991, I can tell you that if you say “I live in Blue Ash,” you get approving head nods; if you say “I live in Lincoln Heights,” not sure what reaction you’ll get. Yet here’s the thing. There is no such thing as a God forsaken place – just church forsaken.
There is no hope of revival in America unless Pentecost comes to communities like Lincoln Heights. A Christian can’t honestly say they want to see people come to Christ and at the same time ignore poverty. According to globalissues.org, almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day. More than 80 percent of the world's population lives in countries where income differentials are widening. Beyond a shadow of a doubt God is present in the lives of the poor. If you partner with us, then so are you.
In 2019, World Impact is eager to empower urban leaders in neighborhoods like Lincoln Heights in cities around the world, and partner with the local churches that have not forsaken these communities, to reach them with the Gospel.