Philosophy of Urban Ministry
Go back to Home Page
Foundations of Urban Ministry
Breath of Life Ministries
Daniel & Kellie Blankenship
Name:
innercityservant@hotmail.com
Email:
God loves the city. Therefore we are called to love the city.God commissioned Jonah to go to the city of Ninevah, yet Jonah (like many today) was reluctant to go to the city. God asked in the last chapter of Jonah, "How can I not be concerned about such a great city?"


The cities are often filled with men, women, and children living in poverty. God has called us to serve the poor. James records, "Has not chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?" Jesus ministered to the hurting, the poor, the prostitutes, the disenfranchised, the rejects of society. We are called to go and do likewise.

Cities are filled with many different cultures and races. New York City is home to people of all different backgrounds and from every continent in the world. Jesus commissions us to make disciples of all nations (ethnos-ethnic groups). We are compelled to mihister and reach out to the city.
When Christians neglect the cities, the poor are rejected and the cause of Christ suffers a great loss. We want to introduce the good news of Jesus Christ in a way that is culturally relevant and scripturally based. We cannot effectively minister to the city unless we are willing to get out of our comfort zones and tear down the walls of segregation and division. Christ calls for a united people who will be able to triumph over the gates of hell. The city is surrounded by walls that serve as barriers. If we choose overlook the walls, we allow Satan victory in the city. Jesus calls for Christians to tear down the walls and shine as lights in a city of darkness.

We love the city because it is filled with men, women, and children who are equally loved by the creator, but are trapped in a world of darkness looking for peace. Christ is the peace that will stop the wars in the city. We choose to minister in the city because Christ calls us to minister there.