MINISTRY NEED:

Westlake/MacArthur Park is the densest area in Los Angeles, where 150,000 people live in cramped apartments. It is home to the highest concentration of recent immigrants in the city (from Guatemala, Mexico, and El Salvador), with challenges including learning English (88% of households), overcoming poverty (per capita income: <$14,000/year), navigating a new society (58% not finishing high school), finding community (with youth turning to gangs, resulting in increased crime), and maintaining cross-cultural/transnational families. Despite it all, our neighbors amaze us with their generosity, creativity, work ethic, and love.

MINISTRY VISION:

We have the joy of living among and walking with families in this area, seeking to embody the good news of Jesus, both with words and deeds. We invite our neighbors into life-giving encounters with God through relationship, fostering a deep understanding of God’s love for them. We envision authentic movements of new committed Christ followers who transform their city through love. As a result, we anticipate wholeness in families, healing from trauma, and a more peaceful community.

MINISTRY PLAN:

To accomplish this vision, our InnerCHANGE LA team believes God is calling us to:

1. Making Disciples: Through launching Discovery Bible Studies together with our neighbors.
2. Loving our neighbors: Praying with/for our neighbors, being present in times of crisis and celebration, visiting prison, hosting women's retreats, and helping to meet felt needs, such as language learning, tutoring, navigating U.S. society (from court cases to the school system) and leading children’s Bible clubs.
3. Developing missional leaders: Empowering local leaders to impact their community for good through mentorship.

We deeply appreciate your partnership in what God is doing in this neighborhood.