Looking Ahead to Summer 2007: Urban Hands Missions Blitz
With both American Baptists and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship meeting in Washington next June for national meetings, City Gate is gearing up to deploy mission groups from across the country into a variety of programs and projects. A special two-week window (June 23 – July 7) built around these national gatherings will provide youth and intergenerational mission teams with hands-on ministry opportunities – ranging from day camps or VBS to varied work projects.
Mission opportunities are being carefully prepared to effectively impact both the spiritual and physical needs of our city, especially by starting or strengthening ministry efforts that will continue after the volunteers are gone. Multiple sites are being arranged in both DC and suburban Maryland, typically in inner city, underserved, or bi-lingual or other special mission contexts.
Urban Hands is a year-round City Gate program that typically arranges mission projects for over 50 churches every year, from a day to a week in length. Usually we not only help design, schedule, and supervise the ministry activities but also arrange meals and lodging at an economical cost. Urban Hands actually goes back a long time (to the last century – well, the 1990's...) when Paget Rhee and Lynn Bergfalk were at Calvary Baptist in downtown DC, and began coordinating mission projects for groups from across the country. Over the past decade or so, hundreds of groups and thousands of volunteers both have been blessed and have been a blessing through this remarkable mission program.
As in the past, mission groups will be able to work with City Gate through the whole summer and year. However, our 2007 "mission blitz" will provide urban mission assignments for up to 50 mission teams from June 23 – July 7. Opportunities for sightseeing and varied educational and inspirational activities (e.g.: 24-hour poverty simulation, meetings with urban ministry leaders, participation in ABC/CBF events) also will be included.
Churches or individuals interested in our Urban Hands mission program should contact Executive Director Lynn Bergfalk (note that individuals can register to participate in the "mission blitz" without being part of a church group). Also churches in the Washington metro area who are interested in providing or partnering at a mission site should contact Dr. Bergfalk at (202) 237-1799.
What Others Have Experienced Through Urban Hands
"I learned I have more to offer than I realize, if nothing else [my] time, which is what these kids need."
"Each day brought something new and I felt that a goal was met each day for me personally."
"The projects that we were able to assist with were extremely meaningful & seemed to provide real, tangible support to the center and make a difference in the lives of the children there."
"I learned how fortunate we are in everything we have and the opportunities we are given."
"I was moved by the power of the Holy Spirit moving among us this week. I felt intensely connected with the youth and staff."
"None of us will really ever know what we have accomplished with these children. One of the children in his letter to me last week told me 'we love you, I'll see you in heaven'. This was encouraging, I know we're doing something right."