City Uprising

 

City Uprising is a unique opportunity for people to unite throughout Baltimore to love and serve the city TOGETHER. Through focused service on three areas of need (HIV, local schools, and local parks) we seek to be a physical example to our city of how we can unite to bring change. At the same time we desire to begin the process of restoring the Church as a trustworthy and caring part of our community that exists to share the love and hope found in Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah 33:9 – Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise, and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.

HopeSprings is heavily involved with the HIV day. This year, in conjunction with Project SHALEM, Gallery Church, and countless partnering organizations, we tested over 900 people at 7 different sites throughout the city. Please read our note below.

We Are a City Uprising

June 29th, 2011

Dear friends,

A volunteer wrote this morning, “It was truly a blessing to serve at St. Matthews, and the blessing most wonderful because I served alongside my 9th grade daughter and her best friend. We had conversations about City Uprising on the drive into the city, prayed before we went in to St. Matthews and then saw glimpses of Jesus in every encounter with volunteers and clients, which we talked about on the way home.”

These words of encouragement were just what I needed to hear! Yesterday had its challenges and by early evening, I really struggled with hoping all volunteers and those we encountered walked away with a positive experience. Last night, I went to The Gallery Church for their City Uprising service and was encouraged and convicted when the speaker read this verse:

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

No matter what our experience from yesterday, we are challenged to not become weary of doing good. Whether in Dundalk where a few learned their status or at St. Matthews where a multitude learned their status and were connected to care, we planted seeds in those communities, creating a safe place for people and showing that the church cares for them holistically. YOU planted seeds yesterday. Your daughters and sons planted seeds yesterday. I am so grateful for the time and effort you made to participate in City Uprising. My prayer is that everyone who volunteered with this effort feels like they participated in something really big, knowing that they planted a seed in a community, and one day we will reap the harvest: A World without HIV, a world that knows that the Church is safe place, and a world that sees “glimpses of Jesus in every encounter.”

Thank you for working as a team to encounter and test close to 900 people yesterday. Also, if you have a story from the day, we would love for you to share it as well. Please email afrancis@hopesprings.org.

Blessings.

Erin Donovan

Executive Director

City Uprising Future Dates

Please stay tuned for more information and future dates