A Letter from our Executive Council
This year, we asked a student, what do you think of when you think of UrbanPromise? He exclaimed one word: “Joy!”
When Jesus came into the world, God chose two very different people groups to share the joy of His birth.
The shepherds, of low social status, were taught to look for the Messiah; and the Magi, astrologers, whose people and culture were not seeking a messiah. Yet, both found and worshiped Jesus. These disconnected audiences were the first to receive the news of our Savior.
Jacob, a Former StreetLeader and now husband and father sought a program that would provide the same care and attention for his daughter that he received while he was at UrbanPromise.
“I pay top dollar for her to attend camps, and it doesn’t even come close. What I gained from UrbanPromise is completely invaluable. I couldn’t put a dollar amount on it. Trying to find somewhere has been impossible and it makes me more thankful than ever that I had UrbanPromise in my teenage years.”
Jacob found the love of Christ, in an unlikely scenario, a free after school program, in a dusty church basement on the East side of Wilmington. And it brought him great joy.
Jesus was born in an unlikely place, not a comfortable room at the inn. Instead, hope and salvation for the world began in a feeding trough in a barn.
Bruce Main, the founder of UrbanPromise and president of UrbanPromise International wrote, “At its core, Christmas is a story about giving and blessing. Mary gives her heart to God, Elizabeth gives a blessing to Mary, the Inn Keeper gives his stable to the expectant parents. The Magi give their Gold, Frankincense, and myrrh. Shepherds give their praise. Angels give their announcement. Simeon gives a prayer. God gives humanity a savior. At every turn someone is giving. At every turn someone is blessed.”
In the midst of differing peoples there is unity in seeking and finding joy in unlikely places. We see this every day at UrbanPromise Wilmington, and we are excited to share this joy with you. The joy of each child, teen, volunteer and staff member who enter into a Christ Centered space, full of love and hope.
You may often think to yourself, “It’s unlikely I can make a difference.” But what we know is that each person desires joy, and each individual is important in the ongoing story of salvation.
You can enter into joy with us when you partner to support spaces offering hope and love for youth in Wilmington. When you give, you make it possible for young people to find something invaluable in an unlikely place.
Please consider impacting a child’s life by: supporting tuition for an Academy or Lower School student at $1,000. Send 5 kids on a winter excursion with Trekkers for $500. Sponsor camp for 4 campers at $250.
Help fuel our fleet of vans with $100. If an infant in a manger in a barn could transform the world, your gift can, and will, make a difference.
Your generosity supports deep connections, trust, and community that brings joy to each child in each program.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
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| Dionne Xavier Executive Council Head of Schools | Josh Gregor Executive Council Director of StreetLeaders | James Russell Executive Council Director of Resources |