My City May 2022

MYOUTREACH

BY CHERYL DENNISON ® PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FLINT MISSION NETWORK

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group of like-minded Christians, the Flint Mission Network operates with the goal of enacting systemic

St. Louis, MO Jones received a Master’s Degree in Divinity before answering the call to the Franklin Avenue Mission. Pastor Bradley Yops was the founder and former director of the Franklin Avenue Mission but he retired, which led to the establish ment of York Avenue Mission and the Flint Mission Network in 2021. “ is is an incredible gathering of many Christians from Genesee county and beyond who desire to see our commu nity overcome systemic poverty,” Reverend Jones states. “Whether it is providing food and water for our neighbors strug gling with homelessness, caring for those su€ering from drug use or sex-tra—cking or helping to train, educate and prepare community members for employment, we are surrounded by volunteers eager to commit their time and resources to love and serve their neighbors.” Located on Flint’s east side, Franklin Ave nue Mission is the Network’s primary facility.

e newest ministry is York Avenue Mission, located on the city’s north end. e partner ministries are Mercy House and Luke Clinic. Wellspring Lutheran Services works with Mercy House to provide transitional housing for homeless mothers and children, and the Luke Clinic provides high-quality medical care for expectant mothers and newborns. e Network’s mission is accomplished through a variety of programs including a dinner program, a skill-development program and a food pantry located at the York Avenue Mission, Sieman reports. Reverend Jones o€ers a service on Sun days at 4pm. According to the assistant director, Flint Mission Network is open to anyone in the Flint area. “I have always had a passion for helping those in need,” Siemen shares. She attend ed Concordia University in Ann Arbor and graduated with a degree in family life ministry, with a focus on helping fami lies. Fresh out of college, she worked for 

change within the community. eir mis sion: “Proclaiming the Gospel, empowering neighbors, and lifting one another up.” And according to Assistant Director Rachel Siemen, this is accomplished by o€er ing compassionate care, skill-developing programs and Gospel-centered teaching. e Network is comprised of two missions: Franklin Avenue Mission, York Mission and partner ministries Mercy House and the Luke Clinic. “Flint Mission Network is fairly new,” Siemen reports. “It’s been going great!” she exclaims. “It’s crazy how fast we have grown and how much support we are getting.” Overseeing the entire operation is Executive Director, Reverend Christian Jones, along with a board of directors. A 2019 graduate of Concordia Seminary in

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