RMM Celebrates 15 Years!
By Tiffany Triplett Henkel
At the turn of the 20th century, a German Baptist preacher named Walter Rauschenbusch was living and preaching in the distressed neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen in New York City. While his original aim was to “win souls” for the sake of Christianity, his subsequent encounters with the people living in poverty and oppression transformed him and his understanding of the purpose of the Church. Rauschenbusch would go on to help spearhead the Social Gospel Movement, which acknowledges that in order to address the spiritual concerns of society, you must also (and sometimes first) address the social concerns.
Nearly a hundred years later, another small Baptist church in Hell’s Kitchen was living out its conviction to address the injustices of its time. And in 1995, Pastor David Waugh and the members of Metro Baptist Church formed Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries in order to help further the mission to empower individuals and encourage community growth. Today, RMM has grown into a vast and diverse community of people who are both seeking and serving hope here in Hell’s Kitchen and beyond.
As we celebrate RMM’s 15th anniversary this year, there is so much to commemorate! We have watched a generation of children in our afterschool and summer programs graduate high school, begin careers and start their own families. We have celebrated with ESOL students who have secured jobs and obtained U.S. citizenship. We have rejoiced with members of the community who have obtained permanent housing after years of living on the streets. And, arguably most importantly, we have seen a family emerge – a family of solidarity and justice, which crosses boundaries such as of class, age, race, faith and culture.
As we look back, there is also so much to be thankful for! Rauschenbusch is who we are today because of the many partners who have invested in the work and community here. We are indebted to the over 500 volunteers a year that give liberally of their time and resources on site serving meals, tutoring young people, distributing clothing, teaching English, leading camp and empowering others. We are sustained by the generous contributions of individuals, churches, foundations and organizations who continue to support the services and work going on here. We cherish the legacy of staff and interns who have shared their talents and shaped the evolving reach of RMM. And we are constantly encouraged by words and prayers of those who believe in our mission.
We are proud to celebrate 15 years of serving under the name Rauschenbusch, one synonymous with radical justice and compassion. And we invite you to celebrate with us throughout 2010 and to support our efforts to keep meeting the ever-changing needs of our community. Together we can continue to serve hope in Hell’s Kitchen!
At the turn of the 20th century, a German Baptist preacher named Walter Rauschenbusch was living and preaching in the distressed neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen in New York City. While his original aim was to “win souls” for the sake of Christianity, his subsequent encounters with the people living in poverty and oppression transformed him and his understanding of the purpose of the Church. Rauschenbusch would go on to help spearhead the Social Gospel Movement, which acknowledges that in order to address the spiritual concerns of society, you must also (and sometimes first) address the social concerns.
Nearly a hundred years later, another small Baptist church in Hell’s Kitchen was living out its conviction to address the injustices of its time. And in 1995, Pastor David Waugh and the members of Metro Baptist Church formed Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries in order to help further the mission to empower individuals and encourage community growth. Today, RMM has grown into a vast and diverse community of people who are both seeking and serving hope here in Hell’s Kitchen and beyond.
As we celebrate RMM’s 15th anniversary this year, there is so much to commemorate! We have watched a generation of children in our afterschool and summer programs graduate high school, begin careers and start their own families. We have celebrated with ESOL students who have secured jobs and obtained U.S. citizenship. We have rejoiced with members of the community who have obtained permanent housing after years of living on the streets. And, arguably most importantly, we have seen a family emerge – a family of solidarity and justice, which crosses boundaries such as of class, age, race, faith and culture.
As we look back, there is also so much to be thankful for! Rauschenbusch is who we are today because of the many partners who have invested in the work and community here. We are indebted to the over 500 volunteers a year that give liberally of their time and resources on site serving meals, tutoring young people, distributing clothing, teaching English, leading camp and empowering others. We are sustained by the generous contributions of individuals, churches, foundations and organizations who continue to support the services and work going on here. We cherish the legacy of staff and interns who have shared their talents and shaped the evolving reach of RMM. And we are constantly encouraged by words and prayers of those who believe in our mission.
We are proud to celebrate 15 years of serving under the name Rauschenbusch, one synonymous with radical justice and compassion. And we invite you to celebrate with us throughout 2010 and to support our efforts to keep meeting the ever-changing needs of our community. Together we can continue to serve hope in Hell’s Kitchen!