About Project URGE
Starting
Planning for Project URGE began in late summer and continued through November of 2001. The first formal meeting was held in March 2002. A majority of those attending the first meeting are still involved today.
Mission
The focus is to come alongside under-resourced neighborhoods with a framework to effectively engage and organize in strengthening the community. This will occur by reaching out to residents and other neighborhood stakeholders to pray, plan and implement their strategies toward CCD in under-resourced sectors of the City of Rochester.
Our intention was to bring the Christian community together, not just in speech, but also in action and in truth (1 John 3:17,18). One church often doesn't know what other churches are doing. The same is true with both Faith Based Organizations (FBO’s) and Community Based Organizations (CBO’s). Many suburban churches have little or no connection to the urban environment. Through our extensive experience with volunteering in urban ministry, it became clear that a more comprehensive and collaborative approach was needed if real change was to occur. Class and race have divided the church, like society, which is an affront to God. We have been persistent in our pursuit of making connections and collaborating with FBO’s, CBO’s and churches in the community since March of 2002.
Church & community partnering to create positive change.
Project URGE works to develop urban and suburban church partnerships with faith and community organizations to become practitioners of Christian Community Development (CCD).
Project URGE ministry teams work to create positive development in under-resourced areas of the city, by serving partner organizations that are committed to resolving issues of poverty and race, and living out 1 John 3:18 — "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20
Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough?” Matthew 13:33
We host at least four collaborative/networking/training meetings per year, which serve to keep people informed, connected and are often the catalyst for further discussion and ministry planning. Relationship building takes place when people can connect faces with the organizations that lead to more opportunities for ministering together. These forums are key for driving change and collaboration in ministry.
We strongly encourage partnerships among urban and suburban Christians. Our team will also assist churches in building those relationships.
Additionally, we have two social events a year, our annual dinner and a July picnic. We believe it is important to connect on a more personal level, than just in the ministry work itself.
Project URGE Teams
Concert of Praise: This is nearly an annual event in which performing artists from all area churches and organizations are encouraged to share their talents. Please contact Project URGE at prourge@aol.com if you would like to be part of planning for or performing in this year's concert.
Mothers in Need of Others (MINO) Ministry dedicated to assisting case managers and church outreach workers in supporting single mothers and families who are struggling financially by collecting and redistributing donations of maternity, infant and toddler items. Email: mothersinneedofothers@gmail.com or please contact Maria Wehrle at (585) 348-8596.
Collaborative/Network/Training Meetings: Approximately four times a year we gather to share information regarding what is taking place within organizations in the City of Rochester. We encourage representatives to bring cards and brochures to share their activities with others in the community. Typically we have one or two presentations by ministries or community organizations as well as a Christian community development training session. Ample time is allotted for networking and one on one dialogue. This often the catalyst for collaboration and community organizing.
Presentation & Workshops: Over the past several years this event has been called the URGEnt Presentation and Workshops. This typically is a Fall event in which Project URGE, associated organizations and ministries are showcased to the public in order to increase the awareness of potential volunteer opportunities and to gain support for the efforts that exist for involvement in serving the under-resourced. These events often include guest speakers or workshops specifically to inspire and build up the community. Please visit the Presentation & Workshops page for more details.
Volunteer Coordination: We assist and help coordinate volunteer opportunities for school & church groups to serve non-profit organizations/churches in the Rochester area. This includes matching volunteers with appropriate service sites, facilitating communication among the people involved, and coordinating the efforts.