About Us > Philosophy of Ministry

A 3-Faceted Approach

Circle Urban Ministries' mission statement is "Transforming Chicago's Westside through faith in action." Through more than 35 years of serving the Austin neighborhood, Circle Urban has developed a three-faceted approach to bringing transformation to our community:

1) Meeting Immediate Needs - Daily Bread Food Pantry, The Emergency Fund, Chaplaincy services

2) Shaping The Future - through four youth development programs: A) Circle4Success After-School - spiritual, academic, social; B) LIFT Performing Arts - equiping youth for life through the disciplines of the arts and performance; C) 1-to-1 Mentoring - facilitating significant relationships for students with caring Christian adults; D) College Readiness - preparing students for post- secondary success

3) Leveraging Resources - by establishing and nurturing strategic relationships with like-minded nonprofits. Currently there are eight different nonprofits located on the Circle Urban campus. That list of organizations located on our campus include:

  • Circle Urban Ministries
  • Rock Of Our Salvation Church
  • Circle Family Healthcare Network
  • Austin-Circle Law Center
  • Catalyst Circle-Rock School
  • New Moms, Inc.
  • InterVarsity-Chicago Urban Project
  • Bridge2Freedom
Those who partner with us with their time, talents, and treasure are a key element of what has allowed Circle Urban to be a viable ministry since 1974.
   

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