Urban HANDS
Snapshots of Mission Experiences
2005: New England Group Experiences Urban Missions
A New Hampshire group got a glimpse of the complexities of urban life, while pondering questions about our responsibility as Christians for social justice.
Five high school students and two sponsors arrived by train from New Hampshire for a week of volunteering. In preparation of a place for summer staff to stay, the group helped complete a whirlwind tour of heavy spring cleaning and maintenance around our mission house. They helped by scraping paint, landscaping, dusting blinds, painting and straightening the kitchen, thus continuing to improve the place. During their time in DC, they also toured and learned about various ministries and mission opportunities in the city. Educational visits included Christ House, Festival Center Tour, Potter's House, Capital Area Food Bank, National Baptist Memorial and Clagett Farm.
On their stop at the Food Bank, the team labeled skid flats in a three story warehouse by climbing around on shelves and pallets of donated food. Other stops provided equal excitement with opportunities to meet and interact with staff and patrons.
Each afternoon the team worked with children at Johenning, encouraging them with homework, coaching the boys in basketball, braiding hair with the girls, teaching card tricks to wide-eyed students and serving the children their supper. Each formed a connection immediately just by being present.
2007: Student Choir Ministers Through Song
The Zamar Student Choir of 40 youth and 15 adult chaperones from Harrisburg Baptist Church of Tupelo, Mississippi not only shared dynamic musical talent but also brought joy and encouragement to City Gate's children and families through VBC ministries.
Arriving just in time for the start of our summer day camps, this Urban HANDS group not only toured well-know Washington attractions at the national mall, but lesser known attractions like the National Cathedral and the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival. Each morning they split into three groups, going to City Gate's three summer day camp locations to assist kids with reading, arts & crafts, and Bible activities.
The student choir had several opportunities to perform at the national mall, the Armed Forces Retirement Home, and an urban city square. However the most unique venue was the front lawn of a low-income apartment building in South East DC, adjacent to City Gate's summer day camp., A grassy mound became a place of lively worship music, great cook-out food, and fellowship. Residents set out lawn chairs and sang along to the music. Summer day campers stood near the choir, dancing and clapping their hands.
Because City Gate conducts a dynamic ministry throughout a number of neighborhoods, the Zamar Student Choir was able to experience many facets of both urban ministry and the difference faces of Washington, DC. In the process, they relearned the lesson of the book of Acts — that flexibility and adaptability to the opportunities opened up by the Holy Spirit are at the heart of effective and passionate ministry.