About Us > Philosophy of Ministry

Leverage - Partnerships Enhance Effective Ministry

Since the outreach vision of Circle Church inspired the beginning of Circle Urban Ministries, Circle Family Care and Austin Christian Law Center in 1974, partnerships and cooperation in ministry have been key to serving our neighborhood on Chicago's west side.

The birth of Rock of Our Salvation Church in 1983 began our most significant partnership with a relationship that has empowered a 'works' and 'faith' effort that endeavors to meet peoples physical and spiritual needs.

Providing tremendous value for the community we serve through leveraging programs and resources from multiple organizations is not the only way we partner. Circle Urban has also shared its resources of knowledge and facilites to 'start-up' programs or organizations.

We see being involved with numerous community serving organizations that are in alignment with our mission as the best stewardship of the resources we have been entrusted with.

A list of organizations located on our campus include:

  • Rock Of Our Salvation Church
  • Circle Family Healthcare Network
  • Austin-Circle Law Center
  • Catalyst Circle-Rock School
  • Lydia Home Association
  • New Moms, Inc.
  • InterVarsity-Chicago Urban Project
  • Transformation Crusade Ministry
  • Life On Life Acrobatics
  • Students Empowered
   

Racial Reconciliation - Fudge Ripple Blend

Racial reconciliation has been an important part of Circle since its founding, but the effort took a leap with the founding of Rock Church in 1983. Since that time both ministries have sought to live out the principles of a blended body. In 1993, Glen Kehrein and founding Pastor Raleigh Washington co-authored Breaking Down Walls outlining practical steps to work toward racial reconciliation.

The Eight Principles of Reconciliation presented in the book were gleaned from their years in ministry together. The staff and volunteers of Circle and the Rock Church represent a racial diversity that we are determined to nurture by savoring our differences while capitalizing on our commonality in Christ. (to purchase it email us: info@circleurban.org)

Glen and Pastor Raleigh