Church Partnerships

Ephesians 4:16

From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

Churches that partner with City Relief not only transform New York, they transform their own communities.

Here are some of the many churches that make caring for their unhoused neighbors an integral part of their mission: Northview Church, Times Square Church, Joy Christian Fellowship, Evangel Church, Lower Manhattan Community Church, Liquid Church, Grace Church on the Mount, and Hope Fellowship Church.

We know that the work of connecting with our unhoused neighbors doesn’t only bring change to their lives.

Serving, listening, praying for, and walking alongside our friends on the street is a means by which we in turn are changed and continue to grow in how we function as the Body of Christ.

Our goal with church partnerships is to help encourage and empower that growth, to be a vehicle to facilitate the work that enables the church, and those we serve, to be built up in love.

Our church partners, both local and from around the country, have had Spirit-led transformative experiences that impact the way they engage with the people around them long after they leave our outreaches. We also connect with churches through preaching, training, and workshops, to aid in inspiring and equipping congregations for the work of serving God through loving and caring for the marginalized.

Coming to an outreach is one of the best ways to experience the transformational power of being in community with our friends on the street. However, there are a number of other ways City Relief seeks to help equip and empower churches to engage with homelessness and their unhoused neighbors:

  • We are blessed to have a number of gifted teachers/preachers who would be honored to share with your church on a Sunday about Christ’s call for his people to engage with our homeless neighbors. Whether the desire is to hear a message primarily connected to the work that we do, or to incorporate the subject into your church’s current topical or expositional series, we would love to discuss how we can support you and the vision the Lord has given for your congregants from from the pulpit.

  • From a “lunch and learn” after a Sunday service, to a three-part intensive on looking into the lives of our unhoused neighbors, we are able to offer various training sessions to match the goals and interests of your church. These trainings explore how to be more empathic, intentional, and prepared to connect with the realities of, and the people experiencing, homelessness. We are consistently evaluating and expanding what we’re able to offer, but click here for a list of what is currently available.

  • City Relief CEO Josiah Haken has written a book entitled “Neighbors with No Doors: The Truth about Homelessness and How You Can Make a Difference”. This book is an insightful and detailed look into the state of homelessness at large, the perceptions that many tend to have of their unhoused neighbors, and how we can all be more intentional about making transformational connections. City Relief offers a small group discussion guide with questions designed to help process some of the concepts and realities that Josiah addresses. This four session guide will help your groups identify and examine their own perspectives about homelessness, and discover some practical and compassionate steps to engaging their neighbors with no doors. 

  • City Relief Sunday is a day when people are equipped and empowered to speak up in their churches on behalf of our neighbors without homes. With testimonies of hope and transformation, we want to help you invite your church into the meaningful work of connecting with our unhoused neighbors. Our goal is to have an increasing number of churches around the country hosting City Relief Sundays each November (Homelessness Awareness Month) and beyond. Click here for more information.

If any of these resources align with the goals and vision God has given your church, we would love to talk with you about how we can potentially bring them to your congregation. Reach out to us at churchpartnerships@cityrelief.org to schedule a call.