Mission and History
While serving as an instructor at Bethany College of
Missions in the mid 90's, Steve Harrison, developed a vision
for reaching urban communities and the least-reached peoples
of Minneapolis. In response to the call to reach their
“Jerusalem,” Steve and his family moved to the urban core in
1998 and established a ministry base for student ministry
activities and cross-cultural community service projects. It
was at this time that B.U.D. developed its mission to serve
the urban poor and immigrant/refugee populations of
Minneapolis.
In 1999, B.U.D. rented a former pornographic video store in
the Phillips Neighborhood. This became a storefront outreach
center in the poorest and most ethnically diverse
neighborhood in the state of Minnesota. The facility
provided help to local residents through spiritual,
educational and social programs. A year later they became a
founding tenet of the Nehemiah Center , a facility that was
to become a cooperative ministry resource center of prayer
and evangelism for the greater Twin Cities faith community.
B.U.D. has always been active in forging partnerships among
those reaching out to the refugee/immigrant populations
living in the Twin Cities area. In 1999 and 2000 B.U.D.
became a founding organization for the Tibetan and Somali
Partnerships and has since facilitated evangelistic and
church planting efforts among these two least-reached people
groups. They have also started a variety of kid's clubs and
social outreach programs such as ESL and citizenship
classes.
In 2002, B.U.D. opened a coffee shop called “The Urban
Jungle” as a means of serving the community and providing a
place of hope and refuge in an at-risk neighborhood. The
coffee shop has served as an entry point of ministry to
those from the streets who have become trapped in drug and
alcohol abuse and prostitution.
Today BUD continues to reach out to the Phillips
Neighborhood and expand its ministry in greater Minneapolis
community.
Core Values and Beliefs
1. We believe absolute surrender and unquestioned loyalty to
Jesus Christ is our reasonable service and honored
privilege.
2. We believe God's heart is broken over the lost and our
desire is to rescue the perishing and relieve His suffering.
3. We believe we will battle spiritual forces that are
committed to separating others from God's tender love.
4. We believe Christians are called particularly to help
those who are hurting and vulnerable.
5. We believe God has called us to join Him in the
spiritual, social, and economic restoration of the urban
core.
6. We believe in the constant need of revival among
Christians to keep their hearts tender and their spirits
empowered by the Holy Spirit.
7. We believe God's love is the greatest force on the
universe and can resolve every problem facing the human
race. |
