UrbanPromise: Camden, NJ

2008-07-23T11:58:00.006-05:00

UrbanPromise students receive camp scholarships
Donor Profile: Tom & Diane Samuel

Tom Samuel grew fond of the students at The CamdenForward School after attending and representing First Presbyterian Church in Moorestown at several Partner Appreciation Days. Tom and his wife, Diane, decided they wanted to give the kids at school an experience that they would treasure for years to come. The experience was a week at the YMCA Camp Ockanickon in Medford. Not only did Tom and his wife provide two one-week scholarships to our kids, they also shared their idea with their friends, neighbors, and mission committee and was able to pull together additional scholarships.

In total, they were able to offer eight one-week camp scholarships to the kids at the CamdenForward School.

When the kids returned on Friday afternoon, two boys and their Mom’s visited my office. Josh and Chris could hardly contain themselves, bursting with story after story. Their Mom’s just beamed with delight. The boys told me all about sleeping in the cabin, swimming in the lake, catching frogs, archery and rifle shooting with magnets.

The camp experience was a truly remarkable one for some kids from the Camden area – one they are excited to share with others – one they long to go to the next year. I, along with the kids and parents, thank Tom and Diane and the others who gave a gift that will be long remembered.

For more information about becoming a partner contact Joy at jmessner@urbanpromiseusa.org

2008-07-15T11:42:00.009-05:00

Interns return to Malawi to begin UrbanPromise

Gibozi Mphanzi, Robert Manda, Zamumtima “Za” Chijere, Sullivan Kandulu, Tinashe Saka

Robert, with a solemn look on his handsome face bluntly said, “I just couldn’t do it!”

Robert Manda was attending the African Bible College in Malawi where he lived. He had volunteered, because of his country’s famine, to help distribute food—small bags of grain and rice for desperate, starving families who had been in line for days to receive help.

“In the midst of all the people’s chaos and need I received a call from my supervisor,” Robert explained. “He was in a different region of the country doing other relief work. He instructed me not to give out all the bags of food, because there were transportation problems and there was a good chance the next shipment would not arrive until next week. I just couldn’t do it—what good would the food have done if everyone had died?”

He paused. “I disobeyed the order. But guess what? The food arrived the next day. Yes!”

When it comes to food, the biggest decision many of us have to face is whether or not to eat the last three Oreos in the package. But experiences like Robert’s, are events that shape faith and define character.

Robert returned to Malawi last week along with Gibozi, Zamumtima (Za), Tinashe, and Sullivan. As they begin three new children and youth ministries, each of them will confront the desperate state of children and their families in Malawi. All three ministries include a feeding program, understanding that eating a balanced meal and having a full stomach are key to a child’s ability to learn, grow, and survive. The next time you are trying to decide how many Oreos to eat, please remember our friends in Malawi and the children they are serving.

For more information on how to support UrbanPromise Malawi please contact: Lindsey Lewis at 856-661-1700 ext. 18 or llewis@urbanpromiseusa.org

2008-07-15T10:21:00.006-05:00

UrbanPromise art students meet Faith Ringgold

Wednesday, July 9, was a very special evening at The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia as artist Faith Ringgold invited 10 select art students from The Camden Forward School to be her guests at a lecture she was giving in coordination with an exhibit of her work this summer.

This was the culmination of a series of lessons on African American artist taught this past school year by teachers Julie Kring-Schreifels and Trish Maunder in coordination with Faith Ringgold’s Anyone Can Fly Foundation. Each student was presented with an autographed book by Ms. Ringgold.

The students felt honored to have been a part of such a wonderful opportunity to meet this prominent artist and educator whose work is so vital to the history of American contemporary art.

For more information about the art program contact Julie at jkring@urbanpromiseusa.org

2008-07-10T16:14:00.036-05:00

Senior Rite of Passage

The trip had been in the planning for over a year; it was the Senior Rite of Passage. We left Camden early in the morning for the seven hour drive to the Adirondack Mountains of New York. The five guys had just finished their final exams that week and would be graduating from the UrbanPromise Academy one week from today. Braheem, Kyrus, Mark, Mike and Terron have been part of the UrbanTrekkers program since they were freshman. During their high school years we have traveled to some incredible places…but this trip was going to be something very special, perhaps the last time we would all travel together.

My friend Dr. Bob Harris was joining us. Bob knew the guys well and had been a big part of planning for the trip. The Adirondacks region is known for its natural lakes and spectacular mountain scenery. Our itinerary would begin with the hike into Marcy Dam to set up a base camp the night before the twelve mile round trip to the summit of New York’s highest peak, Mount Marcy. The climb up Marcy was grueling; it was hot and we were in the height of black fly season. Since the black flies were feasting on any exposed skin we put on head nets for partial relief. Arriving at the summit gave us all a sense of accomplishment. From our panoramic 360 degree view we scanned the vastness of mountains and lakes below. Standing there I was filled with excitement for what we had just done and there was a sense of mystery for what would unfold.

After the first two days the challenging hike of Mount Marcy was behind us and we were ready to reveal the next challenge. Bob, an expert climber, had hired a professional guide to give us a course in rock climbing 101. After hiking an extremely steep route we arrived at the base of the rock wall. The guys were in awe as they stared up at seventy vertical feet of shear rock before them. Again the black flies were having a feeding frenzy on any exposed skin; the head nets and Deet helped but we were still fresh meat. With the proper equipment and the expert guide the guys soon felt confident as they scaled the rock before them. Climbing is physical but probably even more cerebral…we were pushing them and they were amazing!

The twenty-four hour camp solo is what they’d been planning and anxiously waiting for since last fall…the final piece of the passage. Bob had invited an old friend to join us in our camp. Kirby was a seasoned back country camper and I was looking forward to hearing his stories. It was day four. We had rented a small outboard boat to transport each guy to their own small wilderness island in Lower Saranac Lake. The guys were ready…they each had a tent, sleeping bag, camp stove, small bag of food with water, a journal/pen…oh, and a whistle just in case.

In preparing for the Rite of Passage and the Solo our conversations were reaching deep within each of the guys. They all grew up in Camden without fathers or even grandfathers in their lives and we wanted to talk about becoming men, husbands and fathers. We wanted to contrast our culture to our Christian faith and to define how that might look for each of them. They had to write a mission statement, something personal for themselves and also write a letter. The letter would be written by their future fifty year old self and give advice to guide them on their life’s journey.

I knew a rite of passage ceremony would need its own symbolic sacrifice ritual. The night before the solo we asked each one the guys to share with the group something personal they wanted to leave behind as they passed from adolescence to young adult. It was a poignant experience, they shared parts of themselves they usually kept hidden. Fear of failure, blaming self for a parent’s abandonment, an inability to trust anyone, a lack of faith; holding grudges…the guys were brutally honest. The conversation was very personal, the stories compelling. Each one then drew a name of a fellow classmate and was asked to find an object on their island that could represent what their classmate had chose to leave behind and present it to him on our final night after coming off the island.

The Solo began with perfect conditions. It was noon on Tuesday, 85 dry degrees, blue sky with full pillow like cumulus clouds - couldn’t get much nicer. The first three guys loaded their gear onto the boat and Bob brought them out to the islands. I stayed back with the remaining two waiting for the boat to return for the second run. The guys were quiet and apprehensive. They had talked excitedly in the days preceding the solo but now the full impact was upon them. Lower Saranac Lake can be wonderfully serene and natural; protected from land development there are only wilderness camp sites on its many small islands and shore line. The islands are beautiful, rocky outcrops rising quickly from the waterline with pines, cedars, birches and maples. On the water you’ll spot fish jumping while Loons and Mergansers pedal about.

It was still early afternoon by the time we had all the guys placed on their islands. Bob, Kirby and I began to set up our own camp on the distant shore. We were camped a quarter to a half mile from the islands. I’d checked the forecast earlier that morning and knew there was a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. I thought a small passing storm could add to their experience and welcomed the possibility. It was getting late in the afternoon, approaching evening and Kirby was beginning to cook diner for Bob and I over an open fire pit. We all noticed the thunderheads starting to roll in from the west and the sound of distant thunder with the occasional flash of lightning. Witnessing a storm close-up and personal has always given me a rush of excitement; this time was no exception, although I did have the guys on my mind.

Quickly the sky blackened, the wind intensified, the thunder was Earth shaking and the rain became sheets of water washing over us. I moved quickly to secure loose items into my tent when suddenly “Crack” and “Crack” two forty foot pines came crashing down between tents and tarp. The lake took on an eerie presence as the whitecaps disappeared and a giant swell of water seemed to be moving up and down in the lake bed. Oh Baby! I thought this is more storm then I had hoped for. How would my guys be holding up, would they be safe? Would they be frightened? It was getting late and I knew we had to get out on the water. The worst of the storm moved through quickly. The rains continued but without the wind the lake no longer looked angry as before. Bob and I got on our raingear and gathered a supply of essentials for first aid and tent repair. The top of one of the fallen pines had landed in our boat and needed to be moved aside before we could go out. I felt like we were running out of time as we motored across the lake.

Braheem was first; we could see his tent from the shore and it appeared to be intact. I called up to him asking if he was OK. A voice came back from inside the tent all was well, he had weathered the storm. But he said he had heard Mike on the other island blowing his whistle. We were off to check on Mike. Mike heard the motor approach his island and was running frantically along the shore line. We could see from the boat that his tent had partially collapsed. Again, making sure he was physically ok we assessed his situation as one that required duct tape and small branches to shore up the snapped tent pole. We asked Mike to come close to the shore so we could toss him the tape and proceed to check on the other guys. As we pulled away from the rocky coast we heard Mike say, “That’s it - you are leaving me here with duct tape”?

We soon approached the islands with Mark and Kyrus. Mark was in great condition, his island and camp site were well protected from the brunt of the storm. Kyrus had not fared so well. He, like Mike came frantically running towards the shore telling us as his tent had collapsed with the poles snapping in multiple pieces. He was inside the tent when the wind exploded his poles and blew Kyrus and the tent a few feet from where it had been set. Kyrus crawled out and rescued himself and his gear seeking refuge in the outhouse. We made sure he was physically fine and assured him we would be back but had to go and check on Terron who had also been blowing his whistle.

Terron heard us coming as we approached the shore line. The wind blew the rain fly off the tent allowing rain to enter and soak the floor. He too was ready to end his island adventure. “Mr. C I was scared, I’ve been singing camp songs waiting for you guys to come”. Terron is one resilient guy who knows how to survive. Staying on the island wasn’t his first choice but we helped Terron relocate the tent and secure the rain fly. We found his driest clothes and told him to snug up in the sleeping bag and we’d see him in the morning. As we left to get back on the boat Terron told us not to worry about him, he said he would be fine; he had been taking care of himself for a long time.

We got back to Kyrus with duct tape, branches and rope; we resurrected his tent and like Terron wished him a good night and a promise to see him in the morning. That night as Bob and I crossed the lake returning to our camp I felt an overwhelming sense of God’s presence and protection for I knew this night would be long remembered by all of us. It was getting late and darkness was beginning to surround us. A steady rain was falling. I looked at Bob who had one hand on the outboard rudder and water running off his slicker, grinning from ear to ear he said “God how I love this!”

We spent our final night at the Keene Valley Hostel…sharing the letters, mission statements and the symbolic letting go ceremony. The significance of the storm was lost on no one. We got home on Thursday and the guys graduated on Saturday. In the tradition of UrbanPromise Academy each one gave a speech sharing sometimes funny and sometimes serious memories of their last four years. In the fall four of the five will be starting college and one will enter the Marine Corps. As I sat in the sanctuary that day and listened to each of them declare their plans for college and careers I kept thinking of the storm while I scratched away feverously at all my black fly bites...I looked over at my friend Bob thinking “God how I love this!”

Peace, there is joy in the journey!

Jim

2008-05-17T08:49:00.003-05:00

Pedal for Promise

Pedal for Promise covered by NBC 10 long time morning anchorman Terry Ruggles. Terry sends off the 139 riders in support of the UrbanPromise - UrbanTrekkers on their 50 mile trek!

2008-05-08T19:57:00.000-05:00

2008-05-08T19:43:00.003-05:00

UrbanTrekkers 3rd Annual "Pedal for Promise"...139 riders rode fifty miles to help fund the expeditionary learning program at UrbanPromise.

2008-05-08T18:02:00.003-05:00

"We can't go on Mr. C..." Richard and Steven were exhausted; they were at mile 42 of the 50-mile Pedal for Promise cycling event. Conditions were tough; there was a good head wind with a bit of a chill. They were on the roughest stretch of road; it had just been scraped for an upcoming resurfacing, leaving it uneven and loose with gravel. It was nearly 2:15 in the afternoon, and the Trekkers had been pedaling since 8 o'clock in the morning.

"Can't we put our bikes on the truck?" They were so close - only about seven miles from the bridge into Ocean City, our final destination. I so wanted them to finish. Most of all, I wanted them to have that feeling of success after a major accomplishment. I told them at this point everyone felt like they did - tired, spent and salivating at the thought of juicy burgers and hot dogs grilling at the landing for them. Couldn't they just hold on? I knew they had already biked much further than they thought they could, yet I knew it would be sweeter if they could endure just a little longer.

I am happy to report that Richard & Steven did in fact persevere! They eventually rode through the finish, completely exhausted. Their faces were covered in sweat and dust; and as they dismounted their bikes, you could tell their legs felt like jello. But nonetheless, this was the moment I was waiting for...to see their faces light up with beaming, radiant smiles and to feel their new-found energy. It was infectious. I know what these victories mean to my Trekkers...it's the reason we ride!

Thanks to all our riders and supporters,

Mr. C

2008-04-22T22:59:00.001-05:00

Thank you to those who supported our spring break trips!

As the kids returned from their spring break trips, the stories began. Kids were smiling, and joking, reliving, in detail, each moment of their travels outside of Camden. The other kids were intently listening and laughing at their friend’s exploits. Stories that will be told for years and years, bringing a thirst for exploration to everyone that hears.

I’m amazed at the impact and vision it gives a kid, as they experience a world outside of Camden. There eyes are open to a new way of life. Similar, I guess, to the way my eyes were open when I first came to Camden. I had never experienced such amazing children, living in such a harsh environment. Parks covered with broken beer bottles and drug needles. Streets where sewage leaks out of the gutter after a heavy rain. Houses where roaches infest the walls and some children sleep without beds. The reality of living in poverty can be overwhelming. It is hard to see as a kid loses hope of a brighter future.

That’s why I’m always struck with emotion as I hear kids tell of the tails that happened on their Spring Break Trip. Because even though I know their environment is the same, I know their world has changed.

Thank you to everyone that sponsored our trips, I can’t think of a better investment than the dreams of children.

Joshua Brady
Co-Director of Children’s Ministry

2008-04-09T19:12:00.003-05:00

UrbanPromise thanks Suburban Promise!

After 7 years in Urban Ministry, I have seen some amazing success stories but also my share of heartache. I have seen too many kid’s lives gone before it feels like they had a chance to get started. Sometimes what feels the worst is the number of kids you know you could help, if only you had more time and resources? The need for kids to be invested in is so great, especially in Camden where 50% of the population is under 21 years old. The question is, how do we get more people involved?

That question was answered in a dramatic fashion as a few ladies in Haddonfield had watched the 20/20 show and decided they wanted to do something. These enthusiastic ladies decided they were going to call themselves Suburban Promise and connect people and resources to our ministry and it turns out they really meant it.

In the past year, we have had numerous volunteers connected to Suburban Promise come in to help out with everything from the Extreme Homemaker show to tutoring programs for the kids. They have provided hundreds of Christmas presents for kids, hundreds of candy bags for the Harvest Carnival, and food for Thanksgiving Dinners that fed around 3,000 people. They also helped us fundraise for several of our children’s trips as well as having Urban Promise interns over to their houses for a nice meal.

They have done all these things and have never seen the smiles on the kids faces or heard mothers say bless you (in what feels like a thousand times) as you drop off gifts to their houses. They will probably never hear as the kids regularly talk about the fond and vivid memories they have of the trips they’ve been on with UrbanPromise. For these ladies, it has never been about what they see, or experience, it’s been about what the children see and experience. They are promise builders. For the lives they impacted and the encouragement they have been, I am deeply thankful.

Josh Brady
UrbanPromise Children’s Ministry

2008-04-04T22:03:00.006-05:00

Anyone Can Fly Foundation

Students in the CamdenForward School art classes have been very busy this year creating art based on the work of two prominent African American visual artists from the time of Harlem Renaissance. These studies and artworks have been made possible by a grant from The Anyone Can Fly Foundation, (www.anyonecanfly.org) started by the contemporary artist, Faith Ringgold whose work can be seen in museums and galleries worldwide.

In October the third through sixth grade classes learned about the collage techniques of Romare Bearden and created collages that depict personal and family rituals, as well as the surrounding buildings on the UrbanPromise campus. Some of the resulting collaborations have been permanently displayed in our new student center in a frieze-like border to resemble a work by Bearden depicting an urban block in Harlem, his home neighborhood.

In March these same classes worked on tempera paintings based on the art of Jacob Lawrence. His street scenes including the figures, colors and patterns found in bustling urban neighborhoods inspired our students to create scenes from their personal worlds, of places where people work hard in a variety of ways to build community.

Trish Maunder, a local art educator from Moorestown who is associated with the Anyone Can Fly Foundation, has been co-teaching these specific lessons and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in relating to our children the amazing gifts these artists have to share.

Look for a special evening in late Spring of 2008 when all these works will be unveiled for viewing. UrbanPromise wishes to thank The Anyone Can Fly Foundation for its investment in these talented students!

Faith Ringgold & Julie Kring-Schreifels, UrbanPromise art director

2008-04-04T21:55:00.003-05:00

UPA Art Students attend Camden County Arts 4 Teens Festival

On Wed., March 19, ten students from Urban Promise Academy attended the Camden County sponsored Arts 4 Teens Arts Festival on the Rutgers University Camden campus. Each student was invited to present and display one artwork which they had created in our weekly art classes this year. Artworks were then individually critiqued by festival judges.

The works were exhibited along with art from 12 other area high schools. Judges were extremely complimentary of all the UPA student works, and chose five pieces out of the ten to become a part of the county and state wide traveling exhibits later this year! Congratulations to all our fine art students, Daniela Martinez, Andre White, Carmen Minquela, Samantha Lugardo, Josh Daniels, Richard Gaines, Braheem Williams, Jennifer Rosado, Jessamine Marquez and Ken Rodriquez.

Artworks that were chosen for the County exhibit were done by Josh Daniels and Richard Gaines. Traveling to the state wide exhibit will be artworks by Daniela Martinez, Andre White and Braheem Williams.

2008-04-04T21:45:00.007-05:00

An Incredible Journey

In February, UrbanPromise art director, Julie Kring-Schreifels, journeyed with the Monarch Teacher Network to the central highlands of Mexico to experience the completion of the incredible journey of the migratory Monarch butterflies that she and the rest of the CamdenForward School community have been studying.

These photos were taken at the El Rosario Sanctuary just west of Mexico City in the Oyamel Fir forests which provide the temperate climate the Monarchs need from November through March to overwinter before beginning their journey back north. This sanctuary is one of twelve forest locations in the surrounding mountains where millions of Monarchs, virtually all of the ones whose life cycle begins in the United States and Canada east of the Rocky Mountains, will gather for the cold weather months. While on the trip Julie and other teachers from New Jersey visited a small school on a remote island within a lake located near the butterfly sanctuaries to share our their common interests in this miraculous migration of more than 2000 miles. She brought a book to present to the teachers which chronicled in English and Spanish the CamdenForward School students’ study of the life cycle and celebration of the release of the Monarchs that were raised on their way to Mexico last September.

Urban Trekkers director, Jim Cummings, is very interested in continuing this relationship with our friends at Monarch Teacher Network and possibly planning a trip for his high school Urban Trekkers in the future. If you are interested in more details about the trip, Julie has hundreds more photos where these came from! Contact her at jkringschreifels@urbanpromiseusa.org.

2008-04-01T12:58:00.004-05:00

UrbanTrekkers traveled to the Florida Everglades during their 2008 Spring Break.

A Double Crested Cormorant surfaced the water right before our eyes and enjoyed a Florida Catfish for it's lunch on the Anhinga Trail.

2008-04-01T12:51:00.001-05:00

2008-04-01T12:02:00.002-05:00

UrbanTrekkers on their Everglades National Park Eco Tour...It's only after a trip like this, reading student journals, looking at our pictures and videos that I begin to realize how much I've challenged and stretched my students. One week of hiking, swamp walks, canoeing, snorkeling, lectures, early wake-ups and early lights out is an extraordinary adventure...not necessarily a vacation for them or our adult leaders. But I know this...we keep on doing it because something very special is happening. Enjoy our pictures.

Peace for there is joy in the journey,
Mr. C

2008-04-01T11:39:00.003-05:00

Sixteen students and five adults trekked to the Everglades national Park for the annual Trekkers Eco Tour. It was my hope to inspire a sense of wonder about the regions natural treasures. By giving my students an up close and tactile experience with this endangered eco-system; so rich in bio-diversity they will hopefully be better able to understand our role as caretakers and what it means Biblically "to have dominion over" all the flora and fauna.

2008-04-01T08:51:00.004-05:00

Tag, You're it! For most of us a simple childhood game played in our own backyards as children. The UrbanTrekkers were exuberant as they dashed about the lush subtropical yard/garden at the Florida City Everglades Hostel. With its Gumbo-Limbo trees, palms, and wild orchid plants it looked like a tropical jungle compared to the streets of Camden. They welcomed their free time. Our days were starting early with full schedules of learning and exploration and I had taken them way outside of their comfort zones.

2008-04-01T08:36:00.002-05:00

UrbanTrekkers posing under a Strangler Fig during their 2008 Everglades Eco Tour.

2008-03-27T15:33:00.001-05:00

Meet our new executive director...

Dear Friend,

I have great news! This past year UrbanPromise has grown exponentially. Media attention has provided opportunities to share our story and success to a broader audience. Involvement of volunteers has increased over ten fold. New programs have been initiated. Amazing…all of it!

This dynamic growth has pushed our existing administrative infra-structure to the limits, challenging me to rethink how to best organize for this next chapter of organizational growth.

After serving as Executive Director for 20 years, the board and I both felt the need for me to relinquish the day-to-day administrative operations to someone more specifically gifted in those areas. As of February 4th, 2008 the board of directors has shifted my role to President of UrbanPromise Ministries.

My time will now be spent providing ministry vision and strategy, speaking publicly, recruiting volunteers, providing staff pastoral care, writing and securing the resources needed to ensure a healthy and prosperous future for our work in Camden. I am excited about being released from some of my management duties and freed to focus on these new areas.

To manage the day-to-day operations I am delighted to welcome Bernetta Millonde. Bernetta comes to UrbanPromise from Farleigh Dickenson University where she has served as Vice President of Enrollment Management. She has also worked in higher education administration at Drexel University and the University of Southern California and has 15 + years of organizational management experience.

One of her former colleagues wrote, “Bernetta is never at a loss to praise her staff for a job well done. She seeks opportunities for staff to learn new skills and encourages all efforts to grow and progress. She is consistent, fair, and even-tempered. Bernetta sees leadership as empowering, not controlling; she gets the job done with grace and humor, and even makes the coffee once in a while!” What a wonderful testimony from a former employee.

Thanks for all your support and encouragement over the years. I can assure you that the addition of Bernetta to our team will only strengthen our outreach to children, teens and families in Camden. I will keep you posted

Blessing,

Bruce Main
President, UrbanPromise Ministries

2008-02-27T11:08:00.003-05:00

Mini-Urban Plunge Seminarians Visit Camden
by Russell Carstens

In October, thirty-six Princeton Seminary students from Professor Kenda Dean’s advanced youth ministry course went on a retreat to Camden, New Jersey, with Urban Promise, a non-profit urban ministry group that instills leadership skills in young people. Urban Promise is led by PTS graduate Bruce Main (D.Min. ’03). The students observed Urban Promise “to get a feel for urban ministry,” said Tonya Lawrence, a second year dual-degree student who did her field education in Camden with the group last summer.

Susan Tindall, another student on the retreat, described it as a “mini-urban plunge,” and said it was “applicable to what we’d like to accomplish somewhere in the world.”

According to camconnect.org, Camden has made the list of the most dangerous cities in the United States since 1998, and was ranked as the number one most dangerous city in 2004. As an area that is home to young people who are susceptible to the negative aspects of their surroundings, Camden was an effective place for seminarians to observe urban ministry. Urban Promise began its mission in 1988 to keep Camden youth off the street, and “equip (them) with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth, and Christian leadership,” said Main.

Dean explained, “The best learning doesn’t happen in a classroom. The transformative learning theory says that paradigm shifts start with a ‘disorienting dilemma’- something that throws us off our game, pulls us out of our comfort zones, and forces us to scan for new solutions. Many of us experienced our time in Camden as disorienting and powerful. We went there to dismantle ‘white suburban youth group’ assumptions about youth ministry, and to see what meaningful ministry looks like when you are young, urban, and poor.”

The students attended a worship service on Friday evening led by youth groups from several Camden churches and Urban Promise members. It was a unique combination of sermon, worship, and praise, with dance to different forms of music played live that Lawrence described as “quite energetic; they were in their element.”

Tindall added, “It was an incredible worship service and full of life. You could tell that they loved that time of being together.”

Saturday morning, the students spoke with people involved in Camden to gain insight about ministry with people “in a blighted or oppressed situation,” said Lawrence. That afternoon, they spent one-on-one time with Urban Promise teenagers to get their points of view on life in Camden, and their understanding of God. Although they have pride in where they come from, many of these teens grow up feeling stuck because they’re not exposed to the possibilities of life outside their hometown. They spoke passionately about pursuing their college education outside of Camden, then coming back to help fix the brokenness of that community. With little or no opportunity, “they have to somehow find a way both to grow up in their community and to keep themselves away from it,” said Adam Gorman, a first year dual-degree student.

The Seminary class also took part in an Urban Promise alumni/ae discussion panel with people who had grown up in the program, some of whom came back after college to work in Camden. Tindall said the youth spoke openly about how Urban Promise demonstrated grace by helping them with school when they needed it, and not making them leave the group if their grades suffered. The panel pointed out how Camden youth, like all young people, want to be a part of a group, and are easily susceptible to joining a gang. They explained that Urban Promise is a family where they have a lot of fun, and goodness and love holds them together. Many Urban Promise alumni/ae have gone on to work in gratifying jobs that help people, such as in homeless shelters or welfare offices.

The PTS students took a tour of the city that night, which gave them an idea of the changes in Camden, where businesses once thrived but are now gone. Lawrence said she learned that students in the city have high aspirations, but the area schools lack the resources to help them reach their goals. Without a structure of support to help youth succeed, some of the students may drop out, and the positive direction that urban ministry provides is key to keeping them on the right path.

Reflecting on the retreat, Main said, “There is a wonderful Haitian proverb that says, ‘We see from where we stand.’ Spending a weekend in Camden, meeting youth from the city, and listening to other ministry practitioners I hope gave PTS students a unique perspective on ministry in an urban environment. It was dynamic-I sensed a high level of engagement and excitement.”

Although the weekend was short, it was valuable to the students who attended. Gorman said, “Urban Promise is not just a place where kids can be safe and learn about God, but they actually work for God. They build their faith by being the hands and feet of Christ. It’s a place that gives them hope.”

Tindall feels that Urban Promise has “built local leadership through the gospel message, and started a new wave of hope that is so different from anything I’ve seen before.”

Urban Promise helped Lawrence understand that keeping regular contact with those she works with is key to successful urban ministry. “Maybe youth group once a week isn’t enough. I see ministry with teens as being a daily, or frequent interaction,” she said. Overall, she learned that she wants to “help those I work with shape their identity and find their goals and purpose for their future through an effective, goal-oriented education. I know from this weekend that it needs to happen sooner rather than later.”

2008-01-21T19:12:00.001-05:00

The UrbanPromise eight grade class decides to send money raised for their class trip to help the people of Malibu Presbyterian Church, instead.

This past October I watched angry and aggressive flames sweep down the Malibu Hills of Southern California and encircle Pepperdine University. The ferocious winds whipped the fire into frenzied, terrifying destruction.

My good friend, Greg Hughes, is the pastor of Malibu Presbyterian Church— located across the street from the Pepperdine campus. His church has been a long time supporter of UrbanPromise Ministries. Greg’s dynamic university outreach program attracts students from Pepperdine and challenges them to serve in the world’s neediest communities. The children of Camden have gotten to know many of the incredible students from Malibu when the California volunteers come to Camden as missionaries and interns.

When the helicopter cameras panned away from the campus to the surrounding areas, I could see thick black smoke billowing from the steeple; flames danced out of shattered windows. The Malibu Presbyterian Church, in moments, was reduced to charred wreckage.

During our chapel service the next week, the news was shared with our young students at the CamdenForward School. Pictures were shown, newspaper clippings were read, and the children were encouraged to pray for their California friends. The children were moved by the fire’s devastation.

Later in the day a student said to Mr. Muzyczek, his teacher, “A few of us were talking. As you know we’ve been selling pretzels to raise money for our class trip. And we decided we want to send our trip money to the church in California to help them rebuild.”

“That’s a great idea, Jose. But we’ll need to get everyone in the class to agree on the idea. We can take a vote. It’s the class’s money, so everyone’ll need to agree to make this gift.”

Mr. Muzyczek gathered the class together. “You are all aware that we have been raising money for our class trip. Everyone has worked hard and I am proud of you. Now, a few of you have suggested that we should send our money to First Presbyterian Church in Malibu to help them rebuild. As you learned in chapel today, their church is gone. If you think it’s a good idea for us to send our trip money to our friends in California, raise your hand.”

Hands began to rise. Then all 17 popped into the air. Unanimous!
Next week I will have the privilege of sending a small, but, oh so generous check of $150 to my friend Greg, from a group of thirteen year olds in Camden. Against the magnitude of the task, our gift will not do much-- a few bricks, a couple of hymnals, a child sized chair.

But how symbolic! It’s a symbol of the kind of young leaders UrbanPromise is nurturing—compassionate, caring, kind and generous.

I hope your heart is encouraged and touched by this story, and that you will continue to invest in the terrific kids who walk through our doors at UrbanPromise each day. Because of your generous help we are building a city of promise...one child at a time.

2008-01-21T19:07:00.000-05:00

REFLECTIONS: BY BRUCE MAIN

“Bruce, I think Albert is feeling a little bit down,” said one of our staff members the other afternoon.

The next day when I saw him I asked, “How’s it going, Al? I could see he was not his usual up-beat self.

“Bruce, I’m worried, there’s a new drug operation just outside the church where we have our Club. There were junkies shooting up the other day just where our kids could see what was going down. What do you think we should do?”

Albert is an incredible young man who directs our North Camden After School program. He practically grew up in UrbanPromise as one of our most enthusiastic students—started when he was six year’s old—then attended our summer camps, was employed during his teen years as a great StreetLeader, and then went to Eastern University on a scholarship. After graduation Albert felt compelled to give back to his old neighborhood. “People came from all over the world as Volunteers to help me,” he always likes to share. “I just wanted to give back...kids relate to me and my story. I made it, now they can see how they can make it too.”

As we talked we explored some options of how Albert might approach the drug dealer: calling the police would only bring retribution, doing nothing would be detrimental to our kids. “I’m going to have a talk with that guy who runs that operation,” concluded my young friend.

Later that week Albert burst into my office. “Bruce, Bruce, I talked to the guy who runs the corner,” he began. “I asked him if he could move his operation somewhere else. I told him how I was trying to set an example for the little kids in the community.” Albert paused. “Right away the guy started to yell at his crew to clear the corner. Apologetically he told me that he would have them out of there by two o’clock.”

Albert then looked at me and asked curiously, “Bruce, did we ever have a guy named Jeff work here about--15 years ago?”

I dug back into my memory. “Fifteen years ago...yea, we did have a guy on staff named...Jeff. Yes, I remember he was an intern from Southern California, graduated from USC as I remember. He’d spent a number of years with UrbanPromise before going into teaching. Everybody liked him. Why do you ask?”

“Strange, but that dealer asked me if a guy named Jeff still worked at UrbanPromise. The dealer also told me that he had been part of UrbanPromise when he was in fifth grade and Jeff was his favorite counselor.”

Later, I mused on why our local drug pusher hadn’t turned out like Albert—a college graduate, one who had come back to the city to positively change his community. Instead, this nameless twenty seven year old had slipped through the cracks and ended up a drug dealer—yet a dealer who chose to apologetically shut down his operations so that young kids could safely enter our After School Center.

I don’t yet know that drug dealer’s name. But I will find out. Then, hopefully, and by God’s grace, I will have a chance to bring him up to date on the good things happening in Jeff’s life, and how those things could happen in his. For I believe the end of this sad story, this perplexing, brief encounter, has not yet been fully written. Our God continues to move in mysterious and exciting ways and writes miraculous stories.

2008-01-12T10:14:00.000-05:00

Three hours drive down the interstate and UrbanTrekkers were ready to begin their White House tour. The nations capitol is an incredible setting to explore and stimulate a lot of thoughtful conversation in addition to having lots of fun. We visited memorials, The Holocaust Museum, Smithsonian Air & Space, outdoor ice skating rink and a remarkable exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery. I think UrbanTrekkers put more miles on their boots touring DC in four days than three days on the Appalachian Trail.

2008-01-12T10:05:00.000-05:00

Mr. C is so inspiring in the morning....