From news reports about Detroit, it can seem as if the inner city is only known in America as a place where poverty and crime dominate daily life. While poverty and the effects of crime are a reality for many people in the city, the greater reality of daily life is one that is spiritual, not merely physical, in nature.  People are desperate to be reconciled to God!

The Summer-in-the-City Detroit project is an opportunity to enter the spiritual and physical reality of the city as we follow Jesus together in praying for people, sharing the gospel, caring for their needs, and challenging our perceptions of what it means to be a neighbor.  Jesus did this when he told the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 12.  This summer, we will together take hold of the chance to change the world in Detroit by being a neighbor to men, women and children we will daily encounter.

The City

Detroit is a place where life is worth living. Many people don't look at this great city this way, but life is worth living in Detroit! God is doing some amazing things in our city! Come and meet great people, experience different cultures, and be a part of the fabric of the city as you serve at local churches and ministries. You will have the opportunity to serve with children at summer day camps, with adults as you serve at homeless shelters, and with the Middle Eastern population in Dearborn. During your free time you can visit Comerica Park, home of the 2012 AL Champs, the Eastern Market with local cafes, an open market, and lots of cultural events. You can also go to the Motown and Henry Ford Museums, and sample the delicacies in Greektown.

Our Ministry Week by Week

A typical week will begin with serving at a ministry site during the day, Monday through Friday, then coming home for a community dinner.  Your evenings will include prayer and teaching times, small group bible studies, or a night with the Lord. You'll have some free time every week to enjoy the city of Detroit and grab some rest.  On the weekends, we will host outreaches in the neighborhoods or at a ministry site, as well as attend church.

Housing

We will live on the east side of Detroit in a house that is used for short-term ministry throughout the year, and that also serves as a center for ministry in the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood of Detroit.  It is a safe, secure home that is also the Detroit home of a local Christian couple, who will be living there while we are there.  They serve in the neighborhood during the week.  We will have an opportunity to work alongside of them throughout the 5 weeks we will be with them. 

Training

Although the Detroit Project focuses on ministering to people and children in the inner-city, most of your experiences will easily translate into on-campus ministry skills. You will be exposed to the core teachings of Cru: How To Experience God's Love and Forgiveness; How To Be Filled and Walk In The Holy Spirit; How To Introduce Others To Christ; How To Pray With Confidence; How To Love By Faith; and a ton of other ministry tools that will be of use to you on campus and beyond.  All ministry is done in a team setting. You will never be asked to minister alone.

Support

The Detroit Project is relatively short, just five weeks, but it is intense.  You will be ministering to others most of the time.  Since you will be focusing so much of your time and energy on ministry, you will be asked to recruit the help of others who will help support your summer ministry (just like real missionaries).  It should not cost you anything to participate in this ministry.  Since you are the one who will be doing the ministry, it is a reasonable expectation that others should send you, and our staff will train you in raising the needed funding.

University Internship Credit Option

Your University may grant internship credit for your inner city summer community experience. This is especially true of those majoring in Sociology, Psychology, Elem. or Sec. Education, Early Childhood Development, or Social Work. Students must petition thier school's department and satisfy any application fees. Typical schools require students to keep a daily journal of their experience and submit a paper highlighting specific aspects of their summer effort. The Cru staff will act as your on-sight internship advisor, and will verify your learning experience to the college.

The Campus and Beyond

This project is useful to any student looking to gain practical ministry skills.  You will learn about racial reconciliation, cross-cultural values, and how to share your faith in multi-cultural settings.  No matter what your educational goal may be, this project can help you be more prepared to communicate with those outside your culture.

We are eager to walk alongside you for 5 weeks in the city of Detroit, to experience relationship with you, and grow in knowing the Lord more together!  God is at work in the city, and He is at work in you.  We trust that taking this step to come to Detroit will bring about growth in amazing ways both in the city and in YOU.  We can’t wait to see what happens. 

2012 students say:

Through Summer in the City, God has been changing my heart in order to love people more. My heart breaks for what breaks His which has helped me to see people how He sees them, as His beautiful creation. I have seen the darkness in people's lives, but I know how the Father heals and brings light into their lives.  - Hannah

During this trip I have really seen how God individually loves and cares for each person. God has given me so much and gifted me in a unique way to share that love with others. This trip has really confirmed my calling to work with children and families in the inner-city and to share God's love with them in both word and deed.  - Kalah

When Quimari first walked into my classroom, I knew she was going to be trouble.  And sure enough within the hour she was running crazy around the room and tormenting the other children.  By the end of the week, I was in love with her.  Quimari’s need for attention did not get in the way of how God viewed her as His beautifully created child. Because of Quimari, I now know that love can be experienced in a multitude of ways.  - Rachel