Urban Hope Philadelphia is so thankful for the testimonies and leadership of both Rick and Brenda Cartagena. They have been faithful members and leaders in the church. Rick has spoken at Momentum and often preaches at Urban Hope. He leads the weekly recovery ministry in Philadelphia and is active in many organizations like the Christian Life Prison and Recovery Ministry in Eastern Pennsylvania. He is active in leading other Christian organizations relating to discipleship and drug or alcohol recovery. He is an evangelist at heart. Brenda is very gifted at leading worship and she is experienced in various children’s ministries. She also teaches and uses her sign language all the time. Both Rick and Brenda are fluent in Spanish. They have served in many CE National ministries including help with Urban Plunge Los Angeles in 2016.
The church in Urban Hope Philadelphia is so pleased that Norwalk Grace Brethren Church chose Rick to be their senior pastor. Norwalk Grace Brethren is the church where Urban Hope Los Angeles is being started in 2019 under the leadership of Tim Lansing. Tim has served part-time on the staff of the Norwalk Grace Brethren Church in youth ministry and he is on the elder board of the church. It is wonderful to see Rick going to a church that is closely tied with an Urban Hope Training Center. CE National is looking forward to continuing to work with Rick and Brenda.
This Sunday Rick will preach at Urban Hope Philadelphia and is being commissioned by the church to represent the ministries of Urban Hope Los Angeles. There will be a lunch provided after the service and a time of celebrating this next step in Rick’s life. — from cenational.org