The Bowery Mission: Engage, Educate, Equip

“… issue of poverty and homelessness so that their impact may be more deeply transformative for the volunteer, church group, and those they are serving? ”

Team Members/Contributors

Jason A Storbakken The Bowery Mission Contact Me

About this pastoral study project

This Gospel Rescue Mission movement was, at times, incredibly progressive, a component of the larger Social Gospel Movement of the early 20th century and, at other times, very conservative, emphasizing personal salvation while ignoring systemic causes of poverty. There has been an ebb and flow, a tension between a focus on personal salvation and social redemption. My question is two-fold: 1) What are the social, political and religious factors that effect this inward-outward (personal-social) tension both historically and today (and is it possible to find a balance)? and 2) How might we more deeply engage the many thousands of ministry partners/volunteers (most of whom are churches, small groups, various ministries, and individual church-goers) so that they might be educated and equipped with a deeper theological and practical understanding of the issue of poverty and homelessness. I am requesting the support of the Louisville Institute, via a Pastoral Study Project grant, to research and write a book about the Gospel Rescue Mission Movement, with a focus on The Bowery Mission. This book will be accompanied by a study guide that will serve as a resource for volunteers and ministry groups as they prepare for or return from their mission trip.

Image Title Year Type Contributor(s) Other Info
Bowery Mission: Grit and Grace on Manhattan’s Oldest Street 2019 Book Jason A Storbakken