Missions is not just something that missionaries do in faraway places. It’s also something that we do every day, right here in our regular, everyday lives.
As a church, our collective heartbeat is for evangelism and discipleship through the justice-based vehicles of Welcome, Necessities, Freedom, and Education.
With a record 103 million people being forcibly displaced from their homes worldwide, we are faced with the worst refugee crisis in history. Closer to home, immigrants, refugees, and asylees make up about a third of Oakland’s population. Immigrants often come to United States seeking better economic and educational opportunities for their families. Refugees and asylees often need safety from war, violence, disasters, or persecution. God calls us to "welcome the stranger" and to generously love and embrace the sojourner.
Everyday Welcome seeks to be the hands and feet of Christ by welcoming immigrants, refugees, and asylees in our midst. We do this by coming alongside immigrant families in friendship, advocacy, support, and prayer.
Three of life’s most basic necessities are food, water, and shelter. Yet, 771 million people lack access to clean water worldwide. Over 800 children die each day due to contaminated water and poor sanitation. Here in Oakland, over 5000 people are unhoused, with many more lacking consistent access to affordable housing. One in five residents in our county is experiencing food insecurity. Practicing the way of Jesus means coming alongside our neighbors and helping to meet these basic needs.
Everyday Necessities seeks to support access to food, water, and housing in Oakland and around the world. We do that through volunteering, sharing our resources, and praying for the generous provision of these needs.
Globally, an estimated 4.7 million people are caught in sex trafficking today. Approximately 250,000–350,000 American children and youth are at risk for sex trafficking each year. The children most vulnerable are those living in poverty, those in foster care, and those living in generally unstable conditions. Many have been sexually abused before they become victims of trafficking. God sees each abuse of power and is grieved. He calls us to join Him in seeking justice and fighting for the cause of the oppressed.
Everyday Freedom seeks to come alongside those who are currently being trafficked, as well as those who are at-risk for being trafficked, through awareness, advocacy, mentoring, and prayer.
All students are created in the image of God with gifts and abilities to use for His glory. Regardless of their family's bank account or zip code, all students should have access to the kinds of educational resources and opportunities that allow them to realize their full God-given potential. Currently, only 31% of economically disadvantaged students are reading at grade level.
Everyday Education seeks to come alongside vulnerable students in our community who are most impacted by poverty, violence, and educational inequity. We aim to equip and empower students through tutoring, mentoring, encouragement and prayer.
