Bethlehem Urban Initiatives: Who We Are
Bethlehem Urban Initiatives (BUI) is a nonprofit organization that operates under the authority of Bethlehem Baptist Church and its mission.
Give to BUI
Support BUI by giving online.
Matching Grant Opportunity
BUI has received a $5,000 matching grant opportunity. Every dollar given to BUI before January 1, 2009, in support of its SAY Yes! youth outreach will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to a total of $5,000. We hope to use some of these funds to establish a computer lab and purchase a Bible for each student. For more information on how you can participate, please contact Scott Anderson at 612.455.3443.
Our Mission
We seek to glorify Christ through inner city Christian community development and evangelism through the local church. We aim to accomplish our mission by:
- Recruiting, training, and raising up people to serve in the inner city
- Functioning as a sending agency through which vocational urban ministers might raise and receive support
- Establishing new urban ministry initiatives
What We Do
1. English as a Second Language (ESL) Ministries
- All Nations ESL
Intermediate/advanced level conversational English classes for adults from any nation. Classes meet Monday and Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:00 PM, at the Downtown Campus. - Somali Adult Literacy Training (SALT)
Beginning and intermediate English classes, and one-on-one tutoring for Somali adults. SALT meets Monday - Thursday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM year-round at the Downtown Campus. Contact Linda Lang at 612.455.3481.
2. Youth Ministries
- BUI operates a SAY Yes! youth outreach, which combines evangelism, discipleship, life skills, academics, and recreation in the context of community.
3. Employment Ministries
- Currently, three of our staff members serve at Masterworks of Minneapolis, a partner ministry which provides employment and discipleship for individuals with barriers to employment.
3. Latino Ministries
- BUI staff member Luiz Mendez oversees Latino Ministries at Bethlehem.
4. Prison Ministries
- Dustin Shipley teaches in the Hennepin County Jail. He helps men transition from prison to Bethlehem, and mobilizes others to do so.
5. 16/33 Center
- BUI operates an urban ministry center at 1628 East 33rd Street in South Minneapolis. Ministries currently meeting at the 16/33 Center include the Say YES! youth outreach and the Latino Fellowship.
6. Antioch Project Scholarships
Your Involvement
Volunteer
- Befriend and tutor an ESL student
- Provide childcare for children of our ESL students
- Assist with our accounting needs
- One-on-one discipleship
- Serve at the "Hidden Treasures Thrift Store" of Masterworks
- Join the Latino Fellowship or South Minneapolis Fellowship
- Teach in a prison or jail in the Twin Cities
- Help former inmates transition to Bethlehem
Pray
Receive BUI prayer requests through our newsletter
Give
You may designate gifts toward specific ministries or our general operations
Dream an Urban Ministry Dream
Do you have an urban ministry dream and need an organization like BUI to assist you?
For more on any of the above information, contact Scott Anderson by phone, 612.455.3443.