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| This page contains answers to common questions
handled by our staff team that we have found
useful and presented here as questions. |
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Structure, focus and definition. UDM establishes
and equips churches structured for intervention, intentional discipleship
and empowerment. Instead of being an end in themselves, UDM designs
mercy ministries to attract resources into the inner city that create
trust and feed relationship-based church discipleship and Bible teaching.
UDM focuses on reaching inner city men, who are usually avoided or
considered threats to society, and empowering leaders from within the
communities to reach them. UDM seeks to provide inner city families
the vision and opportunity for fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ
worldwide, beginning in their own neighborhoods. UDM defines mercy
as a lasting, committed relationship of love. We also include
taking action to make things right in our definition of justice.
The best ways are to reach and empower one's own through
intentional discipleship and leadership development. This may mean
enlisting people to work cross-culturally to empower leaders "transformatively"
from from community.
Most likely because the program does not target the
entire family with long-term relational evangelism and intentional
discipleship. Many programs are designed for what is best and most
convenient for those doing the outreach and not for what makes a lasting
difference. Many programs give workers the feeling of being merciful
but do not change lives.
UDM is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit community-based
organization. The following community leaders are UDM Board Members:
Tim Sceviour, Chairman; Shirley Haywood, Vice-Chairperson, Peggy Pollara,
Treasurer; Tawana Love, Secretary; Mark Cockerill, Kathy
Hardison, Beth McPherson, James Parker, and Stephen Telfeyan. Mike Fariss has
directed the ministry for 30 years and is President/CEO. Greg
Johnston serves along with a missionary outreach team through the Urban
Community Church Norfolk, which UDM established, that includes Ronnie
McAdoo (Sports Ministries), Denise Woodson (Learning Center), William
Joyner, Maurice Lamb and Shelly Warren (community outreach). Delores
Hannon is office manager. With other partners, UDM established the
Park Place School and the GLOBE Center in Jamaica. UDM sent Ken
Watson and Kevin Keene to establish and lead the Rock Hill Bible
Fellowship in South Carolina.
Consulting local churches to evangelize, disciple, and empower families
(includes Bible training) to fulfill Christ's Great Commission is UDM's
most fruitful outreach.
UDM provides, as needed, weekend or semester equipping seminars using
Mike Fariss' book, Transforming Inner City Evangelism.
Mike Fariss and Greg Johnston conduct this training at churches or through
video conferencing. Individual internships in cross-cultural
evangelism, discipleship and church planting may be offered through some
of the churches and ministries being consulted by UDM.
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