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). As World Impact exists to serve the urban poor by strengthening local urban churches, supporting the vision and ministry of local pastors, and inspiring church plant movements (churches that reproduce) among the urban poor, our associates must have a heart for and proven track record of serving the urban poor.
I am thrilled to announce that last month Darrel Auvenshine (pastor of Southside City Church), an Associate of World Impact Dallas, launched TUMI in Fort Worth, TX. Darrel and Southside City Church are wonderful partners who serve the inner-city poor through consistent, compassionate care and community. This partnership has been years in the making and we are so grateful to the Lord to have a TUMI presence in Fort Worth and such a great Associate. We are praying for a network of partners in Fort Worth of which Darrel is the first.
Please pray for Darrel and our efforts to find, equip, and resource urban leaders together in Fort Worth. Pray also for our other DFW-area Associates working in partnership with us to evangelize, equip, and empower the urban poor. And last, pray that I will have great discernment as I meet with urban leaders called to serve God in the city who are in need of coaching, mentoring, training, funding, fellowship, and church plant resources. Pray also that I will have open hands to leverage all that we have toward Kingdom advancement in the city among the poor. Pray that He would strengthen the work of my hands, the passion of my heart, and the intent of my spirit and that by His grace I will be empowered to do all that He sets before me. Together we can transform communities.
Ted Smith is the City Director for World Impact Dallas.
