Harvesting God’s Promise
Harvesting God’s Promise! (HGP) launched publicly in 2014 as a 5-year ministry expansion effort. It marked BHITC’s first major fundraising campaign outside of annual appeals. Thanks to God’s grace and the generosity of many partners, HGP exceeded its $1 million goal in 2017! To date, $1,149,387.74 has been raised toward these efforts!! Read on to see all that’s been accomplished!
Original campaign goal:
The launch of at least four new congregations by 2019 that reach 300-500 new people. Learn more about planting efforts that HGP is already supporting:
Provide formalized, local mentoring for emerging pastors and ministry catalysts in urban and cross-cultural ministry.
What’s been achieved?
Through BHITC’s Transform216 effort, as well as financial support, the following congregations have been launched, impacting the lives of more than 600 local residents:
- Crossroads Lutheran Church (Brook Park)
- MetroChurch (Clark Fulton)
- City Church (Ohio City)
- Renew Church Cleveland (West Park)
- Table Communities (Rocky River and Lakewood)
- Cove City Church (University Circle)
Original campaign goal:
- 700+ additional urban residents served through expanded tutoring, job readiness, refugee resettlement, financial literacy and recovery programs – a 40% increase in impact.
- 250+ new volunteers serving at and through area churches.
- Staffing increases at BHITC to manage increased demand for support of new missions.
What’s been achieved?
- The launch of The Hope Center for Refugees and Immigrants in 2015. Since its opening, The Hope Center has seen a 750+% increase in daily visits by refugees seeking resettlement services and relationships with local residents.
- The expansion of Legal Services at The Hope Center.
- The piloting of Open Table to Northeast Ohio by BHITC as a faith-based poverty alleviation model. Since 2014, more than a dozen Tables launched, blessing families with support to achieve stabilized housing, employment, transportation and more.
- BHITC’s volunteer army now totals 800+ annually.
- New staff positions and members including: Bethany Bell at The Hope Center as a Refugee Program Assistant; Nick Tribuzzo as Manager of Legal Services at The Hope Center; Dana Carlisle as Communications Manager and Joyce Ng as Development Manager.
Original campaign goal:
Launch HopeWorks, an LLC within BHITC that starts new businesses that provide pathways to employment for people BHITC and its partners serve; yield net profits that expand BHITC’s overall mission.
Business models considered:
- Suburban thrift / vintage store – employing 15-20 people and generating 30-40% annual net profits over time.
- Temporary staffing agency – creating a pathway to employment and self-sufficiency for 800+ people by marrying Christian mentoring processes with employment opportunities.
What’s been achieved?
- Hiring of Jeff Stredney as Director of Social Enterprise.
- Launch of HopeWorks, an LLC within BHITC to pilot marketplace ministry and businesses that provide pathways to employment for people BHITC and its partners serve.
- Launch of Common Threads, which has employed 30+ people since its opening in June 2016, and was named “Best Thrift Store in Cleveland” by Scene Magazine in 2017.
- Launch of Nehemiah Collaborative, a housing initiative that will create a workforce development arm in construction skills for unemployed individuals, as well as property management business. The ministry’s goal is to renovate 50-60 homes on the near west side by 2028 as a means of business creation that provides affordable housing and spurs Christian community development.
- The complete renovation and repurposing of two foreclosed residential properties by Nehemiah Collaborative by February 2018, with a third home now under construction and due to be completed by Fall 2018.
Original campaign goal:
Repurpose a 5,000-square-foot, two-story former school building on the campus of Trinity Lutheran Church to serve as a dynamic, 7-day-a-week home base for BHITC that includes:
- Church planting center – facility space for group planning, coaching and learning for future pastors and faith leaders.
- Urban mission training center – training for volunteers and local urban churches.
- Immigrant/refugee help desk – welcoming and assisting future new Americans.
What’s been achieved?
- BHITC relocated staffing and operations to Trinity’s school building in the summer of 2016. Minimal repairs and renovations completed.
- February 2018 purchase of the 15,000-square-foot building The Hope Center had been renting from a former church, which will allow refugee programs to expand significantly, as well as create an facility for future church plants and ministries.
