CEF Urban City Kids Task Force PROPOSAL

Ultimate Goal:  Child Evangelism Fellowship ministries will become more effective, collaborative, and sustainable in “urban America” (especially areas of socioeconomic and spiritual need). CEF will be ever-present and intentional to minister alongside others in collaboration for spiritual transformation of people and communities across the USA. For this to be realized, a mindset change with adjusted approaches to ministry must occur at all levels of CEF leadership. For example, CEF must become a team player, initiate/lead when appropriate, submit to other collaborative leadership whenever possible, and make available every resource that the CEF chapter possesses for the cause of reaching urban kids and families.

5-Year Strategic Goal

We believe God can begin to spiritually and socially transform resourced-challenged communities strategically selected throughout the United States over the next 5 years. We believe this can be accomplished by implementing the biblical principles of the “10 Keys of the Kingdom.” These target communities could then serve as models for effective and collaborative Gospel-centered ministry in urban communities where CEF seeks and is invited to minister.

Action Step 1:  Casting Vision/Education

Start the discussion on a national level. Invite ministry leaders who have implemented the “10 Keys” or similar concepts to present them to the senior staff of CEF, state and local directors and coordinators via select communication platforms, including social media, blogs, during State Leadership Conference, at CMI, and during all CEF conferences within workshops and main plenary sessions.

Action Step 2:  Education/Implementation/Facilitation

Develop relationships and partnerships with local “grassroots” organizations for collaborative ministry in target cities of this initiative.

i.e. community-based, church-led tutoring programs, police and community-led Partners Against Crime, legal aide, re-entry and job programs, public housing authorities, feeding/street ministries, sports ministry/leagues, religious coalitions, youth foundations, and prayer movements, etc.

Seek national organizations which can teach urban cultural competencies, intensive city reaching paradigms, and provide urban resources for developing local ministry partnerships.

i.e. CCDA, Mission America, Urban Youth Workers Institute, City Reaching, Jobs for Life, Step Up, Lighthouse Ministries, Transform Our World, Good Cities, etc.

Action Step 3:  Metrics for Goal-setting/Evaluation

Determine how to quantify and measure “success” of this initiative

i.e. (1) number of youth involved in community programs, (2) number of indigenous youth leaders or mentors, (3) number of youth enrolled in discipleship classes, (4) numbers of families no longer on poverty roles, (5) the ratio of indigenous ministry leaders on community boards/committees, (6) lower crime stats % in target communities/city, (7) increased employment of families, (8) growth/strength of network partnerships, (9) increase % of indigenous residence involved in collaborative ministry efforts, etc.

Year-1 Strategic Goal: Casting vision and education

Action Step 1:  Introduce the vision and goals of City Kids USA to CEF senior staff, state leadership, and local chapters.

Action Step 2:  Select communication platforms, including social media, blogs, USA monthly blasts, etc. to articulate the vision of City Kids USA and incrementally present the 10 Keys of the Kingdom.

Action Step 3:  Marketing City Kids USA to CEF staff/boards via regular updates and stories that show the need and effectiveness of urban ministry.

Year-2 Strategic Goal: Education, Facilitation, and Implementation

Action Step 1:  Offer and facilitate an open forum at CEF conferences on the concept of City Kids USA including, but not limited to, collaborating with other ministries and organizations to meet the needs of children in resourced-challenged communities.

Action Step 2: Select USA staff with a passion for and engaging urban ministry as USA champions to be trained, funded, and resourced to build urban ministry teams and implement City Kids USA in their city.

Action Step 3:  Select USA cities to model City Kids USA urban ministry initiative.

Year-3 Strategic Goal: Metrics (Goals/Evaluations)   

Action Step 1:  Identified goals and metrics help define success

Action Step 2:  Gather and examine data to determine outcomes  

Action Step 3:  Publicize a report summary of outcomes and next steps