Get Involved

Bethany Urban Development has been reaching out to the Tibetan community for several years by providing friendship and practical assistance as they adjust to life in the United States. Consider getting involved with these warm and unique people. You can make a big impact in the life of a Tibetan Family and may just find that your own life will be changed!

Kids' Club – Every Tuesday we have a meal, a short Bible story and crafts or games with the children ages 4-10 years old. Trinity First Lutheran in Minneapolis hosts the Kids' Club and provides the meal for the kids.

Basic home repairs – There is a need in many of the Tibetan homes for basic home repair. Use your experience to help a family in need.

Teaching English - Teach in a Tibetan's home, once a week, in a one-on-one format with textbooks to guide you. The schedule is flexible.

Driver Training - Meet with the student in their home to help them understand the driver's training manual, and prepare them for the test. Then, if you're willing, get out on the road!

Special Events - Volunteer at an event already planned or adopt a special event for your church or group to plan/host (ex: swimming, picnic, museum, farm visit).

Prayer - Get on our prayer list and pray for current needs. Then thank the Lord with us for His answers!

Tutoring - Give tutoring and homework help to children in their home. Use Your Gifts! - Play an instrument? Mechanic? Carpenter? We can use your skills to connect with Tibetan families and bless them in many practical ways. Get creative!

Note: We have a monthly partnership/prayer meeting that is, the last Monday of the month where we meet to discuss and pray for ways we can better serve the Tibetan community here in the Twin Cities and around the world. We have representatives from a variety of denomination, AG (Assemblies of God), ARC (Alliance of Renewal Churches), BGC (Baptist General Conference), ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America), and LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).

Bethany Urban Development desires to increase our involvement in the Somali community. In the past we have conducted tutoring programs for grade-schoolers. Basketball for the teen boys and ESL for adults. Many of the opportunities are similar to those mentioned for the Tibetan community.

Bethany Urban Development is also seeking to plant a Hispanic church in the Phillips neighborhood. If you are bilingual and have a burden for ministry among the poorest in the Hispanic community please contact us.

B.U.D. has worked with drug addicts the past four years. If you are interested in ministering to some of the most despised and rejected members of our society, please contact us for times and location. Ministering opportunities include

1) Food distribution

2) Friendship evangelism

3) Transportation to treatment programs

4) Transportation to church functions

There are two basic ways to get involved with Bethany Urban Development. A volunteer is an individual making a limited commitment to the ministry. Their involvement can range from one-time to a weekly commitment. Many interested workers begin here and see how their ministry develops.

For others, an internship involvement is desired. An intern makes a deeper commitment typically, six to twelve months. During this time an intern is involved up to 20 hours a week. Often an intern is able to take a leadership position in ministry. Cost $200 per month and each intern is responsible for room, board and transportation.

If you are interested, please download one of the following applications, fill it out and send to: Bethany Urban Development / P.O. Box 8940 / Minneapolis, MN 55408.

Volunteer Application

Internship Application

Applications require Adobe Reader.