Join us in citywide prayer to provide a space for city ministry leaders and those interested in seeing the Body of Christ grow in transformational initiatives. Let’s connect with one another, worship Abba and be refreshed in the presence of God. We seek God's face and wisdom for direction, strength, and renewed hope for the work ahead. 

Click here to share praise reports or submit prayer requests ahead of time with our citywide urban ministry prayer team.

Next 3rd Sunday Prayer & Worship… November 17th

Bridge CLE 3389 Fulton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44103

Email Leah.Ross@newcitycle.org for more info and to let us know you plan to attend.

Note: In order to take this class, you must have already taken the Building Hope 101 class.

The Hope Center 101 is a 90-minute class and a pre-requisite for all volunteers at The Hope Center. Participants will gain an understanding of who refugees are, why they are fleeing their home countries, the resettlement process in Cleveland and how to handle various situations when working across cultures.

This class will be offered several times this year:

November 16 (9 am) 15135 Triskett Road, Cleveland

Please complete the form below to register for this event.

Step into a shimmering fall evening ‘under the stars’ with Building Hope in the City at our 2024 Restoring the City Gala! This enchanting night will be filled with delightful cocktails and appetizers, captivating music and the warm company of friends - all while launching us into another year of ministry impact! 

Join us as we unveil special announcements and initiatives that will shape our mission in the coming year. Each year, thanks to the incredible support of partners like you, Building Hope in the City makes a Kingdom impact across Cleveland. Your presence and support at the Gala is vital as we work towards a city where hope, compassion, and community thrive. Let’s celebrate the incredible work God has done and look forward to the future as we continue to embrace our mission to foster flourishing in our city. 

Reminiscing on last year’s incredible event…

Note: In order to take this class, you must have already taken the Building Hope 101 class.

Clark-Fulton & Stockyards 101 is a 90-minute class…

Do you have an interest in coming closer to the work Building Hope in the City is doing in the Clark-Fulton Stockyards neighborhoods? We want to invite you to the family where the work is diverse yet holistic… Youth enrichment, affordable supportive housing, prayer walking, city leaders, urban agriculture, activating the dreams of long-time neighborhood residents, and on and on and on…

Your faith can translate into real relationships that bless this community that we love, and in return you will be blessed! We will dive into the beauty and brokenness of the neighborhoods and our unique approach to mutual transformation through presence and proximity. We will also explore specific ways you can partner in the work God is doing here. We can't wait to connect with you!

This class will be offered several times this year:

October 26 at (9 am) BHITC Headquarters, 3274 W 58th., Cleveland

Please complete the form below to register for this event.

Join BHITC Community Development at the West 61st Street Micro Farm for our annual Autumn Hues Fall Event! This year, we're set to make another unforgettable afternoon for families, friends, and neighbors of all ages from the Clark-Fulton Stockyards (CFSY) community. Get ready for thrilling games for all ages, festive seasonal activities, and the chance to enjoy fresh, farm-picked produce straight from our Micro Farm!

We’re inviting community members, church partners, volunteers, friends, and family to help volunteer for this event. Whether you’re interested in preparing fresh produce, face painting, or simply participating in seasonal activities with the CFSY community, we’d love for you to join the fun.

*Must take Building Hope 101 and Clark-Fulton Stockyards 101 to volunteer

Mark your calendars and get ready to create wonderful memories with families and friends in the Clark-Fulton Stockyards neighborhood!

When: October 19th 2PM-5PM

Where: West 61st Street Micro Farm (located behind 3150 West 58 Street Church of God)

What do I see? What do I feel? Have things always been this way? What needs to be made right? What work has God already been doing? Where is the life of the church in this place? How has God invited me to participate in this work?

Prayer walking in a neighborhood is an effort to recover what it means for the body of Christ to become faithfully present to its local context through slowing our pace in a neighborhood context. These experiences are meant to immerse us in the story of God, the Church and with neighbors in a specific place.

These walks last an hour and include contemplative and intercessory prayer, a deeper understanding of the history and current stories that shape the neighborhood, and reflective prompts for you to reimagine your presence in the neighborhood in which God has called you.

Join us for one or all of our Neighborhood Prayer Walks happening this summer! Each walk will include unique opportunities to engage, grow and be equipped for faithful presence in our neighborhood or your own. RSVP below!

Want to see this get started in your neighborhood? Contact Nicole West nicole@buildinghopeinthecity.org for more information. 

Prayer Walk Dates:

• October 11th

As we head into November’s election, how do Christians and the faith community intentionally engage on the topic of immigration with both compassion and conviction? How do Christians show curiosity and humility when it comes to understanding legal status and issues at the border? How might Jesus practically respond to newcomers in Cleveland and how might newcomers breathe life into the Church?

Join us for a morning with Rev. Eugene Cho as he lays a Biblical framework for welcoming and being welcomed by the refugee, immigrant and asylum seeking communities in Cleveland. Eugene’s talk will be followed by a panel discussion with local practitioners and faith leaders. Light refreshments will be served.

Born in South Korea, Rev. Cho is the founder of Quest Church in Seattle and is currently the President/CEO of Bread for the World.

Panelists:

• Jewel Yokie, Senior Manager of The Hope Center

• Nick Tribuzzo, Manager Director, The Hope Center Legal Service

• Dr. Cory Wilson, President of Emmaus Seminary

• Heather Ipema, Member of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, IL

• Eugene Cho, Founder of Quest Church, President and CEO of Bread for the World

Emcee for Panel Discussion: Sharon Hughes, Director of The Hope Center

If you would like to attend this event, please register below!

Are you grappling with disappointment, setbacks, or unexpected detours in your work or ministry? It’s time to revitalize your vision and reignite your passion. Join us for an empowering workshop and networking event designed specifically for faith leaders like you.

This transformative experience offers a unique opportunity to gain fresh perspectives and actionable insights from seasoned city leaders. Together, we’ll explore strategies for overcoming challenges and uncover pathways for growth in both your ministry and personal life.

Led by Cleveland leaders Julie Busch Jones, Pastor Leonard Tanks, and Linda Uveges, this session will invigorate your spirit and equip you with the tools you need to work through a difficult season. Don’t miss this chance to connect with peers, share experiences, and embark on a journey of renewal in your calling.

Fill out the form below to register!

Join us for a captivating evening as we unveil a special art show, Beauty from Brokenness, featuring the remarkable work of our Artist in Residence, Kim Wheatley!

See how Kim, deeply invested in her neighbors, uses her craft to transform pain into beauty. You’ll learn about the profound role of art in healing, gain insight into the artist’s creative process, and hear the stories behind her work.

“To actually make a change in people’s lives, you have to be in their lives and walking with them through their pain.” - Kim Wheatley

This event is more than just an art show—it's a celebration of resilience. Whether you're an art enthusiast or simply curious about how creativity can impact lives, there's something here for you. Come and see how art can be a bridge to healing and hope! Please register below if you plan to attend.

When: Friday, September 20th 6PM

Where: 4131 Bush Ave, Cleveland

Neighborhood Movie at The West 61st Street Micro Farm

When? August 30, 2024 at 7pm

Where? West 61st Street Micro Farm (behind the 3150 West 58th Street Church of God)

Join Building Hope in the City for a summer evening celebrating our incredible Clark-Fulton Stockyards community! On Friday, August 30th, join us for a family-friendly, outdoor movie night hosted by the BHITC Community Development team.

We welcome community members, church partners, volunteers, friends, and family to help us create a memorable event. Whether you’re interested in helping to prepare the space, organizing snacks and drinks, or simply enjoying time with the CFSY community, we’d love for you to be a part of this family-friendly gathering.

To get involved and help make this event a success, please reach out to Luis Luna at luis@buildinghopeinthecity.org.

*Must take Building Hope 101 and Clark-Fulton Stockyards 101 to volunteer

Friends, families, neighbors, church partners, and volunteers, the BHITC Community Development Team is throwing the annual Christmas in July bash at the West 61st Street Micro Farm in the Stockyards neighborhood! We welcome you to come serve and participate alongside our team! This festive event is more than just a summer gathering; it's a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together for a day filled with joy, laughter, and fellowship!

The Community Development Team has an exciting lineup of activities planned, including fun games for all ages, exciting prizes to be won, a delicious cookout, a farm-fresh produce giveaway, and time to connect and celebrate with neighbors and friends! Whether you've volunteered with us before or this is your first time, we'd love to have you on board! It's a fantastic way to get involved, meet new people, and join in on what God is doing in the 'BHITC footprint' right here in Stockyards.

If you're interested in partnering with us for this year's Christmas in July event, please click here to register. We look forward to seeing you!

Did you know that Cleveland is one of the most racially segregated metropolitan areas in the country, and ranks 5th in the nation for income inequality between black and white residents?

On July 11, you can experience a bit of what these realities have meant for some residents in the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood on Cleveland’s east side. This neighborhood has been shaped by over 50 years of racist redlining and housing discrimination, where to this day more than half of residents live below the poverty line.

Yet, the deep sense of community and the resilience of the Buckeye-Woodhill residents are a testament to their strength and their hope for a better future. We want to celebrate the deep ties and the real stories that have been forged in this community.

Therefore, Building Hope in the City, New City Cleveland, and Renovare Music invite you to an immersive evening of instrumental music, poetry, narratives, and original Documentary Songs written collaboratively with members of the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood. This hour-long performance will be followed by refreshments and a panel discussion to help us reflect, discuss, and respond to the testimonies we have heard. Come be inspired by the stories of these residents, and learn how you can contribute to flourishing for all our neighbors.

What is a MissionSmith?

These free events are designed to:

• Forge sharper ideas and insights for mission

• Increase our awareness about the challenges faced by some communities throughout our city

• Provide a safe and welcoming environment to ask questions, discuss, and learn about real issues that are often avoided

• Offer practical opportunities to become more activated in drawing closer, helping, and learning form the pain of others

• Connect with others interested in seeking God's heart for the city and being a part of transformation

You will walk away challenged personally and spiritually for deeper Kingdom advancement.

BHITC Volunteers, join us for an adventure around the world of Building Hope in the City! Your dedication has made all the difference in our mission to serve communities throughout Cleveland. Whether you’ve volunteered once or been part of our family for years, this event is our way of saying thank you and celebrating you!

Explore the diverse facets of the Building Hope world:

• Indulge in a taste of One World Kitchen's culinary delights

• Discover the wonders of Urban Agriculture with Luis Luna

• Unleash your artistic side with our local leader Yolanda Latham

• Dive into the scent science of Peripeti Candles with Kate Walsh Dodok

• Experience fashion fun and creativity with Common Threads Thrift

Plus, enjoy a special cultural dance performance, hands-on activities, chances to win prizes, and much more! Get your BH passport stamped and join us for an afternoon of festivities, games, and gratitude. So bring your family and let's embark on a journey of unforgettable memories together!

We can't wait to celebrate YOU!

Event Itinerary:

1:30-1:50 - Kick off our BHITC adventure with some mingling, mocktails, and passport stamping!

1:50-2:15 - Get ready to be entertained with our lively program featuring Nepali dance performances, words from Executive Director Brain Upton and Ministry Engagement Manager David Van Hal, important instructions, and of course, special awards!

2:15-3:30 - Try delicious appetizers from the global cuisine, collect more passport stamps, enjoy an intriguing scent demo by Peripeti, and don't forget to partake in the program area games for a chance to win prizes!

Join Us!

Get ready for an unforgettable evening as we “Tee Up for Hope” at Building Hope in the City’s inaugural Topgolf fundraising event! 

On May 30th, gather your friends, family, and colleagues for a night packed with Topgolf fun, delicious food, refreshing drinks, exciting raffle prizes, and much more. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just seeking an enjoyable evening, everyone is welcome to join in on the fun regardless of age or skill level. It's the perfect event for families, coworkers, neighbors, and church groups alike. Swing into action for an evening of socializing and friendly competition on the driving range!

Your Support Fuels Our Mission! We are deeply grateful for the supporters who come alongside us on our mission to advance the good of the city. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to have a blast while meeting other like-hearted supporters and celebrating what God is doing through Building Hope in the City.

Registration for Tee Up for Hope closes on Friday, May 17th. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you at Topgolf!

By purchasing tickets and sponsoring Tee Up for Hope at Topgolf, you’re directly contributing to the continuation of impactful initiatives for our city.

Tickets:

$125 Individual Ticket - Participate in the Topgolf Top Contender Tournament and free play, enjoy the BBQ buffet, and a complimentary drink. Golfers and non-golfers alike can have fun playing Topgolf while supporting the mission of Building Hope in the City.

$75 Social Ticket - No golf participation, food and two drink tickets included.

Sponsorships:

Title Sponsor - $10,000 - 3 Bays (18 people), Topgolf Top Contender Tournament (if desired); unlimited drinks; logo on event promotions and signage (bays and digital monitors at Topgolf); recognition at event.

Signature Sponsor - $5,000 - 2 Bays (12 people), Topgolf Top Contender Tournament (if desired); drink tickets; logo on event promotions and signage (bays and digital monitors at Topgolf); recognition at event.

Food & Drink Sponsor - $2,500 - 1 Bays (6 people) Topgolf Top Contender Tournament (if desired); logo at bays and on all food stations and bars; drink tickets.

Auction Sponsor - $2,500 - 1 Bay (6 people), Topgolf Top Contender Tournament (if desired); logo at bays and on all auction/raffle tables; drink tickets.

Bay Sponsor - $1,000 - 1 Bay (6 people), Topgolf Top Contender Tournament (if desired); logo at bay; drink tickets.

Hole-In-One Sponsor - $500 - Tickets for 2 people; logo on event signage.

Neighborhood Cookout at West 43rd Street Garden

When? Saturday May 4th | 2 - 5pm

Where? 3351 W 43rd St, Cleveland, OH 44109

CFSY neighbors, families and friends, join us for a fun-filled day at our West 43rd Street Garden! On Saturday, May 4th, we're hosting a cookout event to celebrate the opening of our garden for the season. Whether you're a previous gardener from last season, or new to the gardening scene, everyone is welcome!

Connect with fellow residents as we celebrate the joy of gardening and the beauty of our shared outdoor space! Come and mingle with fellow community members from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM as we fire up the grill and enjoy some delicious food together. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet new friends, reconnect with old ones, and share gardening tips and tricks.

Don't miss out on the chance to be a part of our vibrant community and kick off the gardening season with us. Mark your calendars for May 4th and join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and community spirit at the West 43rd garden!

"Unite with other believers over discussion and worship"

This is the second session of two in the 2024 Grace Matters Spring sessions.

This second session is focused on discussion and praise and worship on May 2nd at Bridge City. We will maintain our original plan to have light refreshments, worship time, and discussion ending with the Lord's supper.

Join us at Bridge City Church as we continue to keep a biblical dialogue about the call to embrace and grow stronger towards intentional reconciliation.

Email Leah.Ross@newcitycle.org to register!

 Isaiah 58:12

Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.

We are excited to welcome author and Christian Community Development practitioner and speaker Michelle Warren to Cleveland to join us for this special weekend! Warren, Keynote Presenter of the Summit, will give a free public address about the importance of proximity and walking the same street as those that are victims of systemic
injustices. Warren will be speaking to Cleveland’s mission-minded leaders on SATURDAY, APRIL 27 AT 2PM!

It's important to learn about the world's inequities and to be a voice for the voiceless any way we can. But in an age of hashtag and armchair activism, merely raising awareness about injustice is not enough. Michelle Warren knows what is needed. She and her family have chosen to live in communities where they are "proximate to the pain of the poor." This makes all the difference in facing and overcoming injustice, and making the Gospel tangible.

When we build relationships where we live, we discover the complexities of standing with the vulnerable and the commitment needed for long-term change. Proximity changes our perspective, compels our response, and keeps us committed to the journey of pursuing justice for all. Move beyond awareness and experience the power of proximity.

Come hear Michelle's story and explore what it might mean for Cleveland!

Location: Bridge City Church

Interested in attending the full summit? Click here!

"See the vision for racial justice and reconciliation in the Bible"

This is the first of two in the 2024 Grace Matters Spring sessions.

Examining our hearts and practices around racial reconciiation is an ongoing transformative work. Grace Matters will continue to delve into the bible to embrace God's heart for ethnic diversity, a Kingdom response to the often covert but very present narratives, implicit biases, disparitities that continue to plague mankind, the Church, and ultimately families and communities. The details of the format and frequency of the offerings are still being discussd. The interest is to continue with Justin and Leah Ross as lead faciliators, maintain an effort to utilize the GM as an onramp into a deeper commitment to a Threaded journey group, consider offering a BHITC partner church to host a GM session and reconciliation dinner. Given the ongoing opportunities to volunteer and contribute to efforts engaging the the margins, different ethnicities/races - it is important to continue to keep a biblical dialouge about the call to embrace and grow stronger towards intentional reconciliation.

This workshop (formerly known as CCD 101) will bring together those in The Body of Christ looking to…

• Develop new and deeper connections with like-minded and similarly activated believers in the community

• Review the CCD principles while exploring practical applications and lessons learned

• Worship and Pray for the prospering of our city

Join us!

When? Saturday, March 23rd from 10am - Noon

Where? The Tavern Coffee House (run by The Meeting Place Learning Center)

Education Enrichment Volunteer Orientation

Where: 3150 West 58th Street Church of God

Who: Yomarie Gonzalez and the Community Development Team

When: Tuesday, March 12th, 5-6 PM

RSVP: yomarie@buildinghopeinthecity.org

Are you passionate about education and looking to make a positive impact in Cleveland communities? Look no further! The BHITC Community Development team invites you to join us for an enriching volunteer experience this spring semester in the Education Enrichment program!

BHITC Education Enrichment is a program providing a space for students to complete their homework, receive one-on-one learning assistance, and engage in fun, educational activities. By offering personalized assistance and a safe environment, we empower students from Clark-Fulton and Stockyards to thrive academically and beyond.

Join us in creating brighter futures! Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or new to the scene, your dedication can truly make a difference. Our Volunteer Orientation, led by Education Enrichment Coordinator Yomarie Gonzalez, awaits you on Tuesday, March 12th, from 5-6pm.

Come be a part of something meaningful. Let's inspire and uplift together!

Please contact yomarie@buildinghopeinthecity.org with any questions and we can’t wait to meet you!

This is for new and current volunteers. New volunteers will also have to register for Building Hope 101.

Effective leadership in your congregation, ministry, business or family is a constant call to maturity of the heart and mind. And, at times, we can be our own worst enemy. Join us for this workshop style brunch and networking session for leaders of faith to strengthen their mindset for activation and influence. At this session, you will learn to:

• Identify self-sabotaging habits and barriers to your leadership

• Develop needed mindset skills to tackle setbacks and make the most of successes

• Overcome hesitation when it comes to decision making and high-pressure moments

• Learn to activate curiosity in yourself and your team, family or group

Clevelander DJ Eidson will lead this session. DJ is Christ-follower, elder at Grace Church - Middleburg Heights, entrepreneur, father and husband. He serves as President of Limitless Minds, a corporate coaching and training organization he co-founded that harnesses proven techniques embraced by professional athletes and C-Suite executives to increase leadership potential in others. DJ also serves on the Board of Building Hope in the City.