Urban Youth Impact (UYI) is a student literature evangelism ministry dedicated to mobilizing young people to spread the gospel in the cities. This ministry, sponsored by the Washington Conference and North Pacific Union Conference regional affairs offices, was started by Kevin Rogers, Mount Tahoma Church pastor, about six years ago. This summer, UYI experienced explosive growth to include 23 students and two groups.
This summer the teams contacted more than 30,000 homes and businesses in Washington, offering 1,254 prayers and receiving 569 requests for Bible study. “I feel that the Lord used me because I’ve been able to pray with people as I went door to door, and I was also able to get Bible study requests for those that were interested,” explained Dorcas Kimbowa.The team also distributed hundreds of books and received thousands in donations.
The first group was a team of six Oakwood College students who worked for 10 weeks in North Seattle and Everett. Under the leadership of theology student Reginald Alexander, this group visited homes and businesses to assist in the laying of ground work for a new church plant, Light House Christian Fellowship, in Everett.
The second group worked in the greater Tacoma area under the leadership of Robert Roland, senior theology student, and Naomi Samuels, senior communications major at Oakwood College.
The ministry not only benefits the community, but also the students involved. “Working in Urban Youth Impact is the opportunity of a lifetime. Being in the program, meeting people in the community, making good friends with group members was the best experience of my life. The benefits are unparalleled,” said Byron Pollard.
Students earned educational scholarships ranging from $1,500–$5,000. But the benefits extended beyond the financial. Nicole Sharper described the change this ministry made in her life. “This summer, my faith and basically my whole relationship with God has grown," she said. "Everyone seemed so excited about God that now I think of Him as more of a friend than a big ruler guy....I didn’t think that I would be able to pray with any strangers because I didn’t pray very well, but no matter how bad I thought I prayed, I was able to touch several people with my prayers.”
Arielle Richland echoed Sharper's sentinment. “My work...affected me spiritually because before I joined, my relationship with God wasn't really where it was supposed to be, but I know I depend on God a lot more now, and my faith has increased tremendously.”Arielle Richland echoed Sharper's sentinment. “My work...affected me spiritually because before I joined, my relationship with God wasn't really where it was supposed to be, but I know I depend on God a lot more now, and my faith has increased tremendously.”
We praise the Lord for all that He has done through—and for—college and high school students. “This summer I learned that I am a child of God and He has my back in my quest to being more than a conqueror. Also that if you don’t seek to do great and mighty things for God, then you will get bored doing the same old thing. More importantly you will learn that prayer and obedience are more powerful than the power of suggestion," said Victor Samuels.
The Urban Youth Impact team contacted 30,249 homes and businesses in Western Washington during the summer.
From left: Robert Roland, Naomi Samuels and Reginald Alexander.
