At Grace, we go hard places. There are a lot of reasons and stats behind our decision to partner with these ministries around the world. Ultimately, we believe that the missional love of Jesus is needed in any place where hope can be hard to find. From poverty, to Christian oppression, to systemic developmental issues, to hard-to-access medical care, and so much more, our value of “going hard places” is fully realized in the neighborhoods and cities of our partner ministries. Some of the poorest countries and neighborhoods are in this list, and in each the light of Christ is permeating; but we are still just getting started. Learn more about the ministries that we partner with, and take some time today to come alongside them in prayer.
Philadelphia, PA: We partner with Urban Hope, a strategic ministry in Kensington. Their training center offers our teams opportunities to be trained in evangelism and city ministry, while making a real impact in their neighborhood. Our students and teammates get a top-level experience while investing into children and families, and some of the most down-and-out you could find. Whether serving at kids’ camps, serving meals, sharing our stories, or simply helping to complete a needed project, there are a lot of great ways that our teams are making Jesus make sense! (Our most recent team returned Saturday, June 29)
How to pray: Pray for the families that were just engaged. That they would be excited to follow up on decisions they’ve made. That God would help them overcome any addictions. That the children would continue in a godly trajectory. That our team would prayerfully consider doing similar types of ministry in their own neighborhoods.
Cabaret, Haiti: We work with our church partner Eglise de la Grace (Grace Church), in the neighborhood of Bercy. Our efforts are centered around the ministries of the church and the connected school. Day clubs, housing initiatives, child sponsorship, medical clinics, marriage retreats and more, our teams have the opportunity to not only make a difference, but build life-long friendships! (Our most recent team left Thursday, June 27)
How to pray: Pray for the community, that they would see Christ’s hope and eternal promises in the midst of political unrest. Pray for our team, that they can be a beacon of life and love. Pray for the church, that they can be a place of refuge and life change.
Mazatlan, Mexico: We partner with Shoulder to Shoulder, a network partner that is committed to planting, strengthening and equipping the local church. We come along side STS and partner churches in the region’s neighborhoods that help fortify the message and action of Christ. We get to help our local church friends engage their communities with the story of Jesus in word and in deed – from passing out bibles and co-leading bible camps to medical clinics and rebuilding homes after a hurricane for families in need! (Our next team leaves Monday, July 1)
How to pray: Pray for our partner churches. They are getting some incredible momentum in their communities. Also, pray for STS as they reach out to new leaders and continue to raise up new leaders in their network. Pray for our team, that God would show them what a vibrant relationship with Him looks like and what a lifestyle of ministry could look like!
N’Djamena, Chad: We partner with a few city churches in our network as well as a multiple church planters and evangelists throughout the country. There are a lot of “unreached people groups” in Chad – those with no/little visible witness to Jesus among their own ethnicity. The building of a community center is in process (Thank You, Grace!) that will facilitate multiple developmental programs to engage and assist urban Chadians.
How to pray: Pray for our workers there who are in year 4 in Chad. Electricity has been a struggle, which has a new level of frustration with their 18 mo. old daughter. Pray for the future of the community center: for Chadians that will passionately own the ministry and for many opportunities to connect with those without Christ.
In all of these fields, be praying for people that would answer the challenge to go for a season and do ministry long term in any of these areas. God is doing incredible things – we want to join in right alongside of Him!