Advance Memphis, the small Christian non-profit where I was employed for a year before moving out west, has enthusiastically invited Gretchen and me to actively be a part of what the Lord is doing through both the economic development organization and the church in Memphis, TN. I will be moving to Memphis in July to begin work and Gretchen will join me after our wedding.
For almost 12 years Advance Memphis has faithfully served Memphis’ inner-city by providing excellent programs and pursuing meaningful relationships with adults in and around the city’s last remaining government housing project. Advance exists to share the powerful news of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection through classes, programs, and relationships designed to allow individuals to fully experience their purpose as children of the God who created them. The knowledge, resources, and skills learned and developed through Advance’s activities and programs not only move people off of government aid and back to work and productivity, but more importantly restore dignity to the lives of individuals entangled in poverty.
Advance’s primary program, the six-week long Bible-based Jobs for Life class is designed to encourage unemployed and underemployed adults to realize their worth as individuals created in God’s image to work hard and to be productive. The class seeks not to simply help participants find a job, but to build a career with which they can consistently provide for themselves and their families. Other programs include a matched savings account geared toward asset building, a warehouse training course, a GED class, men’s and women’s Bible studies, a computer class, an immediate in-house work program, and access to Advance Memphis’ staffing service, as well as regular meals and activities with the community.
Besides recognition for its services in multiple local media outlets, Advance has also been featured in the nationwide evangelical publications Prism and World magazines, where it was honored with the latter’s Hope Award for Effective Compassion, and in the books Linking Arms, Linking Lives and When Helping Hurts. Advance is also recognized by the Presbyterian Church in America’s stateside missions organization Mission to North America and was highlighted recently in their quarterly newsletter.
While my work with Advance will focus primarily on connecting graduates with local employers and businesses, as well as teaching various sections of the Jobs for Life class, I am excited to once again live and work in the Advance community, this time with my wife, learning from and with people in the projects about how better to love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ together.
It is our goal to raise $32,000 to allow for me to have full employment and for Gretchen and me to enjoy full health benefits as we seek to make Memphis our home. Please consider giving to Advance Memphis by following the link at http://www.advancememphis.org/, or by sending a check made out to Advance Memphis indicating me and Gretchen as the recipients of the funds to the address below. If you would like additional information or clarification on what the Lord is doing through Advance and what Gretchen and me’s role will be in this work, please contact us.
For a short video about Advance please follow this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsyaAZSa_QI
