The Hosea Institute
    In 1988, the Hosea Institute began with the help of Billy Evans which eventually gave rise to Memphis Area Cooperative Shelter, and later Services, from which the HopeWorks Life Skills Lab and Commodities Closet began.  The seeds for urban ministry were planted when a special committee was formed by the Highland Street Church of Christ because they were interested in leading the congregation toward a major outreach to the poor in Memphis.  The character of the outreach can be crystallized by the words of the Highland St. eldership;

"This outreach is not seen merely as a program to supply the necessities of life to the poor, but a means of helping them change their lives so that they can escape poverty.  It will involve helping people with food, clothes, and perhaps funds, but it will focus on lifting them out of poverty."

In 1991, Highland St. Church of Christ, led by Dr. Harold Shank and others presented a proposal to initiate the planting of an inner city church with Highland Street as the lead church.  At the same time, Harding University Graduate School of Religion began a real effort to meet the urban challenge by hosting the first Urban Ministries Seminar led by Dr. Evertt W. Huffard to begin the education process.  As a result of a continued focus on the poor by Highland Street, the School Store occurred, Bible classes were taught in the urban neighborhoods of Memphis, MUM was formed, and urban churches were planted.

 
 
 

 
phone 901.312.3486 • fax 901.452.5341 • 5565 Shelby Oaks Dr.  Memphis, TN 38134
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