Equip
In order for the faith community to be fully effective in addressing today’s common concerns with action, we must ensure that our church, civic and servant leaders have the tools and resources to be successful. Our efforts to EQUIP will have a greater influence as we train professional and volunteer leaders with the tools to mobilize God’s Kingdom in Springfield and Clark County.
We are doing this through the following project and activities in 2022:
- EQUIP Workshop Series: Mental Health and the Church
- EQUIP Workshop Series: Unity and Reconciliation
- Case for Community Summit
- Case for Community Report
Preparing our Partners for Impact
Our EQUIP Workshop series was launched in 2021 with a program on Schools and Churches together. This workshop was designed to allow churches to make a greater, more immediate and more meaningful impact as they partner with schools, students and families in need of mentorship, meals, school supplies and many other challenges. To see more, visit Our Resources for the toolkit shared during the workshop.
Flourishing Neighborhoods Initiative: EQUP Book Club
March 2, 9, 15, 23, 30, 8:30-9:30 at Nehemiah Office, 616 N. Limestone Street
We will read Becoming Whole: Why the Opposite of Poverty Isn’t the American Dream, by Brian Fikkert and Kelly M. Kapic (Coauthor of When Helping Hurts)
To register, email [email protected]
Flourishing Neighborhoods Initiative: EQUP Book Club
April 6, 13, 20, 27 at 8:30-9:30 at Nehemiah Office, 616 N. Limestone Street
We will read Mental Health and the Church, Stephen Grcevich MD and Grace for the Afflicted, Matthew S. Stanford
To register, email [email protected]
Flourishing Neighborhoods Initiative: EQUP Book Club
June 1,8,15 at 8:30-9:30 at Nehemiah Office, 616 N. Limestone Street
We will read Beyond Racial Gridlock, by George Yancey
To register, email [email protected]
The Case for Community
The Report
Nehemiah is leading a movement for community transformation in Springfield and Clark County. The Case for Community Report is an annual publication that provides context for how God’s work is being carried out in Springfield and Clark County through our action pillars: Pray, Unify, Equip and Mobilize, and our Pathway Initiatives. The inaugural Case for Community Report was published in 2020.
The first year, we focused on common concerns, the second year was focused on taking action, and this year’s report will be focused on impact of the pillars and pathways.
The Summit
The Case for Community Summit was launched in earnest in 2021 with a downtown event designed to allow community members to rally around common concerns, find common ground and provide input on how to make a common impact.
In September 2021, about 120 civic and church leaders took part in a day of education, motivation, fellowship and problem-solving around topics, such as:
- Crisis Response
- Lived Experience
- Racial Reconciliation
- Church-School Partnerships
- Mental Health and Trauma Training
- Flourishing Neighborhoods
Case for Community Summit
Sept. 9, 9:00-5:00 at the City Hall Forum, 76 E High Street
Moving way beyond conversation, this Summit will provide the time, space, and opportunity for collaboration – culminating in concrete action steps and innovative tools that will equip, empower and mobilize all of us.
Together, community members from the government, social services, faith-based/church niches can bring our most creative and strategic ideas to address the most grievous concerns as a community. We believe even more wisdom and strategic ideas are coming to Springfield and Clark County, and want you to be a part of this conversation.
