Uplift 313, a community center in Detroit, Michigan, is serving area residents while helping transform the way North American Missions (NAM) approaches urban evangelism.
The center, which opened earlier this year on Detroit’s west side, provides services such as parenting and life skills instruction, substance abuse recovery groups, career and business training, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, and tutoring for area students.
More than 80 percent of the North American population lives in metropolitan areas. Despite recent progress, the United Pentecostal Church International has fewer congregations per capita in metropolitan areas compared to rural communities. NAM Director Scott Sistrunk, a career church planter who started seven churches in metropolitan Detroit, believes one key to reaching urban areas with the gospel is to provide a combination of temporal assistance and eternal hope.
“Jesus made it clear that, as His followers, we have a responsibility to show love to our neighbors in tangible ways,” Sistrunk said. “When people see we genuinely care about their lives, families, and community, they are much more receptive to the gospel message.”
Uplift 313 already is connecting Detroit residents with local UPCI churches. Several have been baptized, including a woman who participated in an eight-week Bible study and was then baptized in Jesus’ name at a ladies conference.
This same woman also participated in business classes offered by the center. With the training she received, she was able to secure a loan from a bank to open her own full-time cleaning business. Her clients now include the urban center and a company that owns seventeen short-term rental properties.
Uplift 313 was partly funded by a $1.1 million grant from the Eli Lilly Endowment. Church In A Day (another North American Missions ministry) helped renovate the 16,000 square foot facility. Half of the property is now rented to a local organization, which helps cover expenses, with Uplift 313 occupying the remaining 8,000 square feet.
“When people see we genuinely care about their lives, families, and community, they are much more receptive to the gospel message.” – NAM Director Scott Sistrunk
Traditional approaches to church planting do not work as effectively in metropolitan areas as in other communities due to economic and social challenges, explained NAM Promotions Director Kenneth Stewart. Detroit, which is home to the UPCI’s Detroit Metro District, provided an opportunity to test a new strategy.
“It’s a brand-new district, and it’s an urban district,” Stewart noted. “Every pastor and the district leadership are focused on the metro area.”
North American Missions plans to open urban centers in Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles in 2025. The ministry also is collaborating with districts and churches on plans for additional centers, with the goal of opening thirty centers in coming years.
“The ultimate goal is save and disciple people,” Stewart added. “At the same time, we’re rebuilding homes and lives and helping people get on their feet.”
Visit Uplift313Detroit.com to learn more about Uplift 313. Information about North American Missions is available at NorthAmericanMissions.faith.
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