Global Partnership for Urban Transformation

The Global Partnership for Urban Transformation is a partnership of interdependent national movements, affirming the principle of relationships based on commonly held vision, mission, values, philosophy of ministry, and faith statements.

Jesus communities catalyzing holistic transformation in urban poor communities.

Our Vision

In partnership, to multiply national movements of reproducing Jesus communities that are catalyzing holistic transformation in urban poor communities.

Our Mission

We believe our doctrines and how we conduct ourselves are equally important in this movement. Learn more about what we believe.

Our Faith

Our Values

Love God

Our primary value, inspired by the greatest commandment as taught by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-38, is to love God wholeheartedly. We commit ourselves to center our existence, work and initiatives on Jesus Christ. In all our endeavors, we strive to embody Christ's love, guided by His teachings and perpetually seeking His divine will.

Love People

Building upon the Great Commandment, as stated by Jesus in Matthew 22:39, "Love your neighbor as yourself", we commit ourselves to loving and respecting all people, without exception. The love of Christ compels us to be incarnational. This love is reflected in our interactions with our global partners and the communities we serve.

Seek Shalom

Guided by the biblical mandates in Micah 6:8 and Jeremiah 29:7, we strive to fulfill God's expectations by acting justly, loving mercy, walking humbly and seeking the welfare of the city. As a movement of Jesus Communities, we are dedicated to championing justice, advocating for the oppressed, and combating all forms of injustice. Our aim is to contribute to the restoration of peace and enable holistic transformation.

Discipleship

Embracing Jesus's call to make disciples of all nations, as articulated in Matthew 28:19-20, we view discipleship as a holistic transformation process that molds individuals into the likeness of Christ. This transformation transcends personal spirituality to encompass all life facets, including social, physical, and emotional domains. Our goal is to pioneer and strengthen national disciple-making movements - empowering people and communities to be catalysts of transformation.

Servanthood

Following Jesus's example in John 13:14-15, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet," we adopt an attitude of servant leadership. We believe that our role is to serve others, with a special emphasis on the underserved and marginalized in the urban poor context, reflecting our commitment to God's mission in the world.

Relational Partnership

In adherence to Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, we recognize the vital role of each member of the universal body of Christ. We are better together. Therefore, we commit to collaborative, transparent, interdependent, and humble partnerships. This synergy allows for a diverse range of talents and gifts to be harnessed for the collective benefit of our movement and the expansion of God’s Kingdom.

FAQs

  • Groups of people who are worshiping Jesus, studying the Bible, praying, serving one another, inviting others into relationship with Jesus, discipling others, developing leaders, becoming change agents in their own community, and planting new communities that do the same. People are freed from the mentality that they are powerless and insignificant in the world. All transformation is inspired and sustained by God's power.

  • Catalyzing means casting vision for transformation, drawing diverse people and groups together to take part in community transformation, and developing innovative strategies. It also involves training community members in those strategies, with each person and group bringing their own resources to the process of transformation. The role of the non-local leader is one of coach, equipper, co-learner, facilitator.

  • The Nine Signs of a Transforming Community:

    1. Reproducing Jesus Communities

    2. Increasing Civic Good

    3. Increasing Life-enhancing Education

    4. Increasing Economic Sufficiency

    5. Breakthrough to Freedom from Destructive Life Patterns

    6. Families Becoming More Whole

    7. Increased Community and Environmental Health

    8. Economic, Legal, and Political Systems that Work for the Poor

    9. Increasing Beauty and Creativity

    View videos explaining the Nine Signs in English and Spanish.

  • Urban poor communities are communities in urban areas which are marginalized economically, ethnically, geographically, and politically.

  • We categorize national movements into three kinds which you read more about here: National Movements Defined