Why Take The Chicago Urban Plunge?

People - The Bible begins in the garden, but ends in the city. God loves people. The city is all about God's people, either needing or proclaiming His message of love through Jesus Christ.

People of the World - There is not a more ethnically diverse area in the midwest than Chicago. The opportunity to touch people who could in turn touch the world is unmatched.

Opportunities - How do you see the needs of approximately eight million people that live in the greater Chicagoland area? The apostle Paul calls such opportunities in the city of Ephesus a "great door of effective work" that was opened up to him.

Exposure - See firsthand the many unique ministries based in Chicago. From storefront churches to mega-churches, from traditional church ministries to innovative needs-based ministries, Chicago offers a wide range of ministries to expose you to God's vision for Christ's kingdom.

Impact - The Urban Plunge is designed to move your group to consider a life involved with urban missions. Watch God touch their lives through the experiences of each day and throughout the week.

Accommodations

To help you get the most out of your mission trip, the following facilities are available for your use:

• 28 staph-check innerspring mattresses (girls and guys dorms will be set up in classrooms);    
• group meeting/worship rooms equipped as a multi-media lounge;    
• a gym for volleyball or basketball;    
• a full service kitchen for cooking and eating meals;    
• men's and women's bathrooms with showers.

All mission groups will be asked to spend a day serving the needs of the FCC congregation. More information, guidelines and a housing form will be sent upon request.

Ministry Sites and Activities

Mission/Service Trips can custom built to meet the specific goals and interests of the Mission Team. Below are an assortment of activities that might be part of a Mission Teams week.

• Learn how to "read" neighborhoods, and go on a prayer-walk through the church's Ashburn community.     
• Visit By The Hands Ministry of Moody Church, at the Cabrini Greens housing projects, to assist with their children's ministries.     
• Visit and/or volunteer at Chicago Public School and talk with teachers and staff about city education and the opportunities to minister to their students.     
• Meet and worship with members of  New Hope Christian Missionary Baptist Church, an African-American gospel congregation.
• Participate and/or volunteer with the mid-week children's and teen programs.     
• Spend a day volunteering at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, assisting with the daily needs of feeding the hungry of Chicago.     
• Volunteer at the Storehouse of World Vision Chicago.     
• Tour the Lawndale Community Church campus to experience one of the nation's most innovative approaches to community and urban ministry.     
• Plan and conduct sports, arts, VBS, or others camps, or outreach events to the Ashburn children or neighborhood.    
• Conduct a "Random Acts of Kindness" project within the Ashburn neighborhood, either at a park, within a neighborhood zone, or at the local mall. 
• Explore and understand the difference between the Downtown area of Chicago's Loop, and the "Uptown" neighborhoods of Chicago.     
• Experience public transportation with a $5 Fun Pass on the CTA.     
• Do the "Ethnic Food Tour" - a day spent snacking on ethnic foods throughout the city.