Transformation
Meet Phil. Phil grew up in the inner city. He struggled in school and found himself in the wrong crowd. Like many of the youth around him, he got in trouble.
But someone stepped into his life, cared for him, and invested in him.
It changed him.
Today, Phil is a nursing student at Bethel University who is following hard after Jesus and wants to impact kids who are growing up in a similar situation to his.
Urban Youth
Many urban youth are in crisis. Higher proportions of urban youth:
Imagine being raised in that reality and trying to get to a better place. Phil did it, but it was no easy task. For those looking in, it can feel overwhelming to try to meet the needs of those who need so much, but God is a redemptive God and a God of miracles. He loves urban youth, and he has called FCA to serve these youth in urban areas. Would you join us in this work?
FCA Urban Ministry
FCA currently has two full-time staff serving urban Minneapolis. Jordan Dornbush and Kyle Fox serve North, Patrick Henry, Edison, and Roosevelt High Schools. Jordan bounces between all four schools and coaches football at Bethel University in St. Paul. Kyle spends most of his time at North High School where he:
Jordan and Kyle know they will have the greatest impact when they are a consistent presence and have earned trust, just as someone did for Phil. Jordan said,
“There is less pushback from principals and staff in the inner city because of the heart we are bringing. Because of the need, we are more welcome."
The work is too great for two staff to do alone so Jordan recruited the Bethel football players, including Phil, to serve as mentors. This has made a tremendous impact on the Minneapolis football players as well as the Bethel football players as they do life together. As we have seen a nation largely divided around race, this model has broken down barriers as the mostly-white college athletes have built relationships with the mostly-black high school athletes.
Multiplication
Two FCA staff and thirty Bethel football players are impacting individual lives for Christ, but the potential impact is so much greater. It’s like Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 9:37-8:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Imagine the impact that could be made if each of these four Minneapolis High Schools had multiple FCA staff serving each school in every sport. Imagine the difference that could be made if there were more FCA staff who could work at more colleges to recruit more mentors.
Many more lives would be changed for eternity and urban areas could be completely transformed. It’s a big vision, but God is a big God. Minnesota FCA believes God is calling us to do a greater work in urban ministry one step and one staff person at a time. Will you join us?
Would you pray that God would raise up two to three new staff to serve in urban Minneapolis? This would allow the work that Jordan and Kyle are doing to be multiplied.
Would you consider giving financially toward urban ministry? Our goal is to raise funds to hire new staff and provide opportunities and resources for athletes who would otherwise do without, like retreats, Bibles, or food for events.
There is no question that things have been tough in Minneapolis, and many people wonder how they can help to make things better. FCA is working to affect positive change in young people in Minneapolis, and you can be part of what God is doing.
Thank you for being an integral part of what God is doing through the ministry of FCA!
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