How does a relatively small church with a "Gideon calling" bring big transformation to their neighborhood? In Episode 7 of Season 4, Eric and Sara Joy talk with Cynthia Wallace, Executive Pastor of Bible Center Church, about how the Oasis Project is seeking a multifaceted shalom strategy in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In this episode, Eric and Sara Joy interview Cynthia Wallace, Executive Pastor and Executive Director, about the providential birth of The Oasis Project, a community and economic development initiative led by Bible Center Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When their pastor in Michigan prayed over Cynthia and her husband, John, saying they would go to Pittsburgh and create an oasis, they had no idea how prophetic that moment would be. With John serving as the Senior Pastor of Bible Center Church and Cynthia heading up the church’s The Oasis Project they have actively responded to their call to 'seek the shalom of the Homewood neighborhood in Pittsburgh.
Guided by the slogan, “the church has left the building”, their ministry to the neighborhood started small by simply picking up trash. As the church members noticed what they were seeing and listened to their neighbors, they began to see concrete opportunities to seek the welfare of their community.
For example, a problem with school absenteeism, has led to a vibrant transportation ministry. A problem with access to healthy food has led to an urban farm. A problem with a lack of third places (and accessible wifi) has led to opening a coffee shop. And the list goes on. The Oasis Project now hosts a residential community, a business entrepreneurship training program, after school programs, a commercial kitchen, and a number of other practical ministry initiatives. And, Bible Center Church is able to do all this with a modest congregation of a couple of hundred members. Tune in for the inspiring story shared by Cynthia about how she and her husband responded faithfully to this ambitious call the Lord had placed on their hearts.
Access more Show Notes with pictures and resources related to this episode.
More information about this podcast and helpful church and urbanism resources can be found on The Embedded Church website.
Related Resources
Hope in Homewood – article about the Everyday Cafe
Find these Key Terms on The Embedded Church website:
- Third Place
- Adaptive Re-use
- Gentrification
- Food Desert
Show Credits
Hosted and Produced by Eric O. Jacobsen and Sara Joy Proppe
Edited by Adam Higgins | Odd Dad Out Voice Productions
Theme Music by Jacob Shaffer
Artwork by Lance Kagey | Rotator Creative