Short-term Mission Opportunities
Most suburban college students haven't spent a lot of time in the inner city, but Here's Life Inner City outreaches provide for students to learn and to serve.
Summer in the City brings college students into urban areas to serve churches and missions in their summer programs. It began in 1984 in New York City, growing out of the need by inner-city churches for more volunteers. Students help run urban day camps, man food pantries, staff neighborhood outreaches and participate in many other projects. Along the way they share their faith in Christ with those they meet.
The students not only give but they also receive. Fears and stereotypes are overcome, and they grow in understanding of the complicated issues of poverty. They meet believers who are poor in the eyes of the world but rich in faith.
For some, it is such a life-changing experience that they return after graduation as inner-city teachers, social workers or Here’s Life staff.
This summer, 127 students and staff are part of Summer in the City in Bakersfield, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, New York and Seattle.
Urban Immersion is similar but shorter – students serve during their college’s spring break. During "UI" in Minneapolis this spring, three students from Texas met Howard, who had just been released from prison. Howard longed to begin a new life, but he didn’t know how.
For the first time ever, he prayed – and just then the students approached him. They had felt a strong leading from God to share with this formidable looking man. They overcame their fears and asked if they could talk with him about Jesus.
They were all amazed at God’s timing. Once Howard understood the Gospel, he joyfully opened his heart to the Lord.
This spring 325 students stretched their faith and made a lasting impact through Urban Immersion.
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