Empowering youth
By providing consistent and loving support, UICM is empowering young people to find FAITH and HOPE, while changing our community with LOVE…one child at a time!
Empowering the body
UICM exists not only to impact the youth in this community, but to empower the body of Christ everywhere.
Empowering volunteers
UICM gives people from Grand Rapids and beyond the oppurtunity to serve others in a way that helps advance God's kingdom.
About Us
United In Christ Ministries sole purpose is to Glorify God by Connecting Kids to Christ, our community, and the local Church.
Our Vision
To be a “community for the community.” To be a diverse, multi-generational, Christ-centered community that has a passion for building relationships with God and each other. We want to provide every person who enters our family a place to belong, a place to grow in Jesus Christ, and a place to serve others through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our History
United In Christ Ministries is the direct result of multiple faith-based organizations believing in the power of a resurrected Christ to unify them in order to proclaim His glory to the residents of the Black Hills Neighborhood.
Our Neighborhood
The Black Hills neighborhood is geographically isolated in Grand Rapids, MI between Godfrey, the Grand River, and the railroad tracks. It is surrounded by industrial parks on all sides. The racial mixture as of 2000 was 30% white, 30% African American and 40% Hispanic. The age ranges are 43% under the age of 18, 53% in the 18-64 year old range and 4% 65 and older. 25% of the kids living in the Black Hills live at or below the poverty level.
Programs
Over the years we have found many unique opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ in this community. Our programs have proved diverse in reaching the youth in our community and equipping them to be leaders right where they are. We believe that it is the constant presentation of the Word of God that serves as the real catalyst for impacting the youth in our community.
God's Club
Every Saturday morning year round, young kids gather together to sing songs, learn bible stories, do crafts, enjoy lunch, and just experience the loving kindness of the volunteers from our partnering churches. God’s Club is one of our flagship youth programs.
Time: 11am-1pm on Saturdays
Kid's Zone / Boys Night
Similar to God’s Club, Kid‘s Zone is a high energy gathering weekly throughout the school year, where an average of 40+ youth gather for a time of worship, dinner, crafts, and bible based stories and lessons. We look to meet the needs of our youth in mind, body, and spirit. There are multiple volunteer opportunities, whether it be serving food, or helping with crafts and games.
Kid's Zone Time: Tuesdays from 6:30–8pm (during the school year)
Boys Night Time: Wednesdays from 6:30–8pm (during the school year)
Pivital Youth
Middle school youth are at a Pivotal time in their lives and are positioned to make impactful decisions about their identity, decisions that can affect their physical and spiritual growth for the rest of their lives. Pivotal youth is a time designed for students in our community to discover not only who they are, but whose they are. Students have the opportunity to connect with each other, play games, and discover practical steps that they can take to discover God’s purpose for their lives.
Time: Mondays from 6:30–8pm (year round)
The Motion Initiative
The Motion Initiative (TMI) is our bicycle ministry working to facilitate adventure, freedom, and hope, through the gateway of cycling, to those that need it most. In this process we aim to facilitate personal achievement, responsibility, and life-giving alternatives to the pitfalls of growing up in a challenging context through the presentation of the Gospel. TMI accomplishes its goals through running a bike shop, offering bycicle repeair, allowing youth to earn bikes, and taking youth on bike trips.
Girls Life Skills
Girls meet weekly to learn live skills such as interviewing, volunteering, gardening, sewing, and more.
Time: Thursdays from 6:30-8pm (during the school year)
Kiddie Korner
Preschool aged kids meet to sing songs, listen to stories, play games, and learn school-readiness skills.
Kid's Zone Time: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am–12:30pm (during the school year)
Summer Activites
During the summer we do a lot of once-per-year activities such as take kids to camp, host a VBS, and participate in Guts to Serve. Also, we host a weekly community dinner whare anyone in the neighbohood can stop by for a free meal.
Community Dinner Time: Wednesdays from 6am–8pm (in the summer at 850 Norwich Ave. SW)
Camp 2023
Donate
United in Christ Ministries is a grassroots organization that depends on financial support from family, friends local churches, and frankly anyone who believes in the mission that God has given us. We are always looking for financial partners who are willing to support the work we do.
Please feel free to donate online here or send your gift to our mailing address:
United In Christ Ministries
520 Diamond Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
United In Christ Ministries is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Volunteer Opportunities
United In Christ Ministries is always looking for people that have a heart or calling for the inner city or for working with youth.
As an organization we rely on God to provide the workers that we need in order to ask upon His will through prayer, but we also understand that God calls us to intentionally open the door for potential servants.
If you are interested in getting involved or want to know more about us please call us at 616-855-8851.
Facts
We do a lot for the neighborhood every
Years of ministry
Kids impacted per year
Meals served per year
Volunteers
Team
United In Christ Ministries Board of Directors
E-Mail: director@unitedinchristgr.com
United In Christ Ministries Board of Directors
Harvey Dumond
Chad Stoike
Julie Braun
Beau Carnes
Amanda Schutte
Brianna Rashid