From February 22-27, Moody Bible Institute’s Practical Christian Ministries (PCM) department hosted its 22nd annual Urban Emphasis Week (UEW). Since 1989, UEW has challenged the Moody community to actively engage its urban surroundings.
“There is tremendous need for the Gospel of Christ in urban centers worldwide,” said Nathan Strand, PCM Operations Manager. “For Moody, a school right in the middle of a world-class city, a week to emphasize the city we are planted in almost seems redundant, but we have found it to be very necessary.”
The week was kicked off with a panel discussion on Monday night, hosted by the student organization Frontlines, titled “Why Should I Care?: the Homeless.” Panel members Lyda Jackson, Volunteer Coordinator of Cornerstone Community Outreach; Sandy Ramsey, Executive Director of Cornerstone, and Moody professors Dr. John Fuder and Dr. Michael McDuffee discussed the struggles, blessings and importance of working with members of the homeless community.
Each UEW chapel session was designed to challenge and enlighten the student body about ministry in an urban setting. Tuesday evening, Embrace, a student organization, hosted an an open mic night in Joe’s, Moody’s on-campus coffee shop, and provided students an opportunity to display their talents.
“There is so much to learn as we cross cultures,” said Arloa Sutter, Executive Director of Breakthrough Urban Ministries. “God has a special place, a special love for those who are outcasts. That place of love is where people come to meet God.” Sutter ended the session by asking listeners to “attack the systems of injustice in society” by joining hands with others and actively being fishers of men. Wednesday night offered students an opportunity to experience a guided tour of Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood.
Thursday morning’s chapel session featured a panel discussion on incarnational ministry with Joel Hamernick, Executive Director of Sunshine Gospel Ministries; Jaime Shedd, Spanish Pastor of Armitage Baptist Church; Sarah James, Director of By the Hand Club for Kids, and Lisa Gwin, Breakthrough Beginner's Coordinator for Breakthrough Urban Ministries. Panelists answered questions about living among the people they minister to. Thursday night included a neighborhood spotlight of Logan Square.
Friday morning’s chapel featured Francisco “Paco” Amador, the Lead Pastor of New Life Community Church in the Little Village neighborhood. The final neighborhood spotlight brought students to the South Side of the City on Friday evening.
Saturday signaled the end UEW with the Moody Theological Seminary’s annual Service in the City outreach day where participants partnered with local churches and para-church ministries in an effort to put legs to the week’s challenge of actively bringing the message of Jesus to the City of Chicago.
Modified Article by Renae Kooy. Courtesy of The Moody Standard, Volume 75:9, March 2, 2010.