Center for Church and City Engagement

On Saturday, October 25, around 100 Christians from multiple churches across the Memphis area convened for the first Equip for Mission Workshop. The Center for Church and City Engagement, in collaboration with Millington Church of Christ, worked to create this special day of worship, growth and fellowship. The event aimed to equip individuals for mission and unite the community through shared faith and strengthened bonds.

A key focus of the gathering was fostering a stronger sense of community among Memphis-area Christians. Attendees engaged in activities designed to encourage connection, collaboration, and mutual support. In breakout groups, we discussed discipleship, shepherding, homelessness, neighborhood schools, addiction recovery ministries, and more. We saw a renewed focus on personal spiritual growth and disciple-making. We spent time praying together, asking God to send out more workers for His mission in this city.

We would like to say thank you to Millington Church of Christ and other volunteers who made this day possible, and we are looking forward to more in the future. We hope this gathering can be a foundation for further efforts in collaboration among churches and an inspiration to join God’s mission in the city.

The CCCE is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the NUMC. This year, the conference took place in Little Rock, AR, at Levy Church of Christ, Feb. 19-21. The theme… "Deeper Faith", "Wider Reach", and we dove deep into both. We kicked off the first day with a pre-conference workshop on Ministry Partnership in the City, led by Alan Howell and Ian Nickerson, MRN.

This was followed by three full days of spirit-led, scripture-fed, and worship-based prayer, study, and learning from fellow ministers serving in cities across the states. We shared stories about how ministries have impacted communities, the ways God is working in our cities, and struggles we have as we move forward in serving God’s people. Topics discussed included discussions on bilingual churches, domestic violence, sharing the good news and so much more. We are so thankful for all the work that River City Ministry put into making this event possible.

Interviews from the National Urban Ministry Conference:

• "An Interview with Walter Pierce from the 'Tip of the Spear' in Chicago"

• "How Bilingual Churches Show Us the Kingdom of God"

Steve Cloer

Director

secloer@harding.edu

Waundricka Dennis

Administrative Assistant

wdennis@harding.edu

BT Irwin

Resource Developer

birwin1@harding.edu

Bob Turner is the senior minister for White Station Church of Christ-Iglesia de Cristo in Memphis, Tennessee. He holds degrees from Harding University, Harding School of Theology and the University of Illinois. He is currently enrolled at Fuller Theological Seminary. In his free time, he enjoys visiting Memphis’s great parks, baking pizza, tackling challenging crossword puzzles and searching for the best cup of coffee. He and his wife, Andrea, have two daughters, Julia and Kathryn. 

Che’ Smith is a native of Los Angeles, California. He is a U.S. military veteran, health care professional and community leader in the Memphis metropolitan area, where he serves as an associate minister at Quince Church of Christ. He holds degrees in science and health care administration and leadership. He and his wife have five adult children. Smith’s favorite Scripture is Psalm 23:6 — “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

David Mohundro serves as a deacon at Oliver Creek Church of Christ, where he works closely with the children’s ministry. He also assists with the racial reconciliation ministry, the 30s and 40s family ministry and the church website. He is a software architect and technical leader at Clear Function in the Memphis, Tennessee area, where he has worked for nine years guiding and consulting clients through various technical issues. He has more than 20 years of experience in the software industry.

Debbie White is a graduate of Lipscomb University and holds an MBA from the University of Memphis. She has served on advisory boards for Hope Works and Harding School of Theology and is a member of the Park Avenue Church of Christ, and helps lead the women's ministry.

Jim Hinkle is the executive minister at the Sycamore View Church of Christ. He spent 25 years in youth ministry in Tennessee and Texas. He and his family have lived in Memphis, Tennessee, since 2005 and have called the Binghampton neighborhood home since 2011.

Matthew Mitchell, a lifelong Memphian, graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and from Harding School of Theology in 2024 with a Master of Divinity. He currently serves as the pulpit minister at Woodland Hills Church of Christ, having held multiple ministry positions there since 2013.

Russell Joy is a retired middle school principal and human resource supervisor for Legacy Shelby County Schools. Currently, he volunteers with Literacy Mid-South, teaching ESL students. He now serves as an elder at Holmes Road Church of Christ.

Jim Harbin Jr. is the senior minister of Raleigh Community Church of Christ and president of the National Urban Ministry Association. He also serves as the project director of Becoming ONE, a nationally recognized marriage ministry. As senior minister at Raleigh Community Church of Christ, he has helped create a variety of partnerships and collaborations, enabling the church to serve as a hub for ministry to the communities of Raleigh, Frayser, North Memphis and parts of Bartlett in Tennessee.

Judy Conway was born and raised in the deep delta of Mississippi, but Memphis has become her home. She is a firm believer in Jesus Christ and the importance of community outreach. Conway has served as the ambassador for the Tillman Station Police Department and a volunteer for Hope Works. She grows a community garden and helps improve the Mitchell Heights community through involvement in various projects and initiatives. She is a member of the North Eastside Church of Christ.