Momentum Ministry Partners is a national ministry of the Charis Fellowship. Their Urban Center in Philadelphia has been ministering to the Kensington neighborhood for more than two decades. Below is an update from their recent newsletter.
As you may know, Momentum Ministry Partners hosts an Urban Center at the heart of the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pa. This neighborhood has struggled against the challenges of urban poverty for generations, and unfortunately, the economic impacts of COVID shutdowns had further devastating effects for the wonderful people who live there. In 2020, when the pandemic hit, our Urban Center was forced to shut down all services to the community. Other local centers were forced to do the same, and many remain closed to this day. Meanwhile, residents experienced illness. Poverty rates climbed dramatically. Drug use reached an all-time high, aided by the United State’s biggest drug market, located just a few miles away. Children wander unsupervised. Violence is not uncommon. Kensington and its surrounding area are now experiencing the highest food insecurity in all of Philadelphia. The situation feels bleak.
In February of 2021, we reopened our Urban Center and since then have hosted numerous visiting teams who have shared the gospel, distributed food, participated in community clean-up efforts, and much more. While their work is beautiful, it is simply not enough to meet the needs of a neighborhood facing such complex issues. However, we are undaunted because we see God moving for the people of Kensington. Hear directly from our President, Jeff Bogue, about our efforts to create an oasis of hope and how you can help:
Watch the whole video here.