Our Mission:
Unite people of faith, Empower children and neighborhoods, Change lives!

Our Values:
A sincere belief which guides the work of the Matthew 25 Ministry Hub is that relationships are the primary mode of human transformation. It is also a core belief of ours as Christians that all people are gifted by God. Yet, in contemporary American society, our communities--even our churches--often feel disconnected and unsupportive. Through all our ministries, we seek to bring people together and create relationships that have the power to transform.

We also stress that the benefits of a relationship go both ways. We want church members to receive as much as they give to those in poverty. It is not our intent to merely provide charity. Though charity is a necessary and beneficial ministry, we believe that the ministry of building relationships has the power to transform both neighborhoods and communities of faith, so that justice and joy are more present in our world.

Current Projects:

Neighborhood Listening and Leading- After the flood, there is a great need for people to be spiritually supported and for community members to feel as though they have a voice in the rebuilding plans. Matthew 25 is connecting people by being out in the neighborhood delivering cookies and listening. Matthew 25 has also been extremely active in holding meetings where neighbors could discuss the future and how to have an impact on it. Matthew 25 was the sole faith group to support the first neighborhood picnic after the flood. Area United Methodists provided more than 300 cookies, face painting, free school supplies and ran games for the 150 Taylor residents that attended and is currently collaborating with the school district to provide ongoing community building activities for the neighborhood.

Tool Lending Library- Following the flooding in Cedar Rapids, there is a huge, unmet need for access to tools as people rebuild their houses and their lives. Matthew 25 is creating a tool lending library where people can check out tools for free in order to work on their homes.

Neighborhood Resource Center- Matthew 25 is partnering with the federal Weed and Seed program to provide resources to people after the flood. A ½ time staff member, funded by Weed and Seed, is on site to distribute: cleaning supplies, school supplies, bedding and more. Matthew 25 also works with this person to provide free computer and internet access to people in the neighborhood. Internet and computer access is especially important after the flood as the lone free internet access site, the library, is displaced for at least a year.

Near West Kids Fund- This fund raises money for the long-term needs of kids living on the west side of the river in Cedar Rapids. More than 1,800 of these youth were displaced by the flood and will have ongoing financial struggles for many years to come.

Neighborhood Meals Site- During summer breaks, the Ministry Hub serves as a free-lunch site. Nearly 2/3 of the attendees are children and approximately 1/3 of those are children of color. Food is prepared at Central Park Presbyterian Church. Volunteers are recruited from area United Methodist Churches to serve the meals and meet those being served.

VITA Income Tax Center- In partnership with the 6th Judicial District, the Ministry Hub runs a free tax preparation service for people who are eligible to received earned income tax credit. Volunteer tax preparers come from area United Methodist Churches and are trained by the 6th judicial district. This experience provides people a hands-on opportunity to learn about the struggles of those living on the edge financially.

Mission Camp- The Ministry Hub will host a missions camp for youth in the state and beyond. This camp will invite youth to spend a week working with agencies and on projects that help children living in poverty. There will also be an educational component to the program that teaches youth about what it means to live in poverty, the impact of the flood on low-income children and how people of faith can be supportive of children in this area.

Quarterly Collections- Three times per year the Ministry Hub collects items directly from local churches for children in poverty. This year, we will focus these items on what we are hearing are needs from the flood-impacted area.