Urban Ministry Reflections: "The Pink House in Review"

by Beth Eckloff

They came from corners of the coast and nooks of Fresno, from the streets, from the suburbs.  They sought something more than the mediocre, not settling for status quo, seeking to still the quest for community, for calling.  To delve into the mystery of God and his kingdom and come away challenged, changed.  Comfort zones were shattered, prejudice and biases unraveled, fears faced, gifts discovered, knowledge was grasped, and love was exercised. 

9 interns, 10 months, 1 national conference, 2 retreats, 39 House meetings, 195 hours of community service,  countless changed lives and an immeasurable work of God.  From our Pink House interns in their own words:

“The pink house has been huge in my decisions for the future. I know that I wouldn’t have stayed in Fresno if it wasn't for what I learned here. It has given me small glimpses into how God sees the city and it has moved my heart to want to stay here and serve here.  I am relocating as a result of the pink house and also hope to get involved with policy in the city.”

 “I learned a lot about urban ministry. I think the thing that really hit home for me was the concept of felt needs as opposed to what we think people need. I think that it’s easy to try to think of what people need but what we think people need and what they really need are so different. That was something that was so huge for me.”

“I learned what it means to step out of your comfort zone.  I thought that I was a pretty diverse individual and was used to the idea of interacting with different cultures.  However, when I moved here I truly experienced cultural and social differences.” 

“I would say that I feel as if ministry now has become more of a way of life and not just something that I want to try to participate in every so often.”

 “One of my goals was to change the way that I viewed the city and to grow in my heart for others that are different from me.  I think that I have grown so much in those ways and continue to grow.  I don’t feel like I’m at a place where I can say I really get it, but I feel like I’m on a journey and that I’m headed in the right direction.”

“God taught me how to look at the Bible in a whole new way which revealed to me numerous revelations throughout the year.”

 “Because I have been enjoying inner city missions, I now have the opportunity to work with churches and higher risk communities in projects and service.  Trying to hook those who don’t know much about service and downtown is going to be an exciting adventure.”

“I definitely learned more about the poor.  I used to think most of the problems were caused by laziness, but I learned more about how society oppresses people… I now want to develop relationships with people in order to share life with them… and share God with them.”

“The Pink House has changed my entire life. It gave me more focus to what I want to do in the future, it led me to become the FIFUL intern, and relocate to the downtown area.  It has led me to never forget about those in need, and it caused me to look at myself (internally) and see what I need to work on to become an advocate for people in need for the future.”

 “I learned what loving God and loving your neighbor really means.  I learned this through my roommates, Evangel Home, and everyday interactions with people.”

 “I found that I really loved the people in and around my house.  It was hard to get used to and to overcome the fear associated with the “hood” but I love it and I love the people in it.  Developing relationships and love for these people was the best part of the house.”

“A real goal was to find out if I would learn more about social justice and whether I would find a calling therein.  I did.  And I now know that God wants me here.”

“I am so thankful to God for leading me to the Pink House because I would have never experienced this life-change…”