Inviting people in who are seldom invited elsewhere
Restoration Center marks one year of service and radical hospitality
Central’s Restoration Center opened for a three-hour “test run” on March 3, 2009. A year later, it has become the public face of Central to hundreds who come for help week in and week out. It is the latest incarnation of a 90-year legacy of existing for the sake of others here in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.
The Restoration Center—born out of Central’s strategic plan—combines previous community ministries, such as the Clothes Closet (in operation since 1967) with new efforts of hospitality, counseling, financial assistance and spiritual formation. And, it does it all from a dedicated space, which is unique among the outreach ministries of downtown Minneapolis congregations.
“Much more happens around the gifts of clothing or food than one might think,” said Pastor Kristen Jacobson, who oversees Central’s Community Ministries. “What happens when people come is restorative, life-giving and community-building—both for those who receive and those who give.”
The Center is named, said Pastor Kristen, “out of the promises” of 1 Peter 5:10-11: “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen and establish you.”
“I believe this promise of restoration is for all of us at Central whether we are a traditional member or a member of the community that surrounds the Restoration Center. God is actively restoring us as he promises to support, strengthen and establish us for the good of the world,” said Pastor Kristen.
In addition to those served (see numbers below), the Restoration Center “community” includes nearly 70 regular volunteers—many of whom are not members of Central.
“There are people of every background, religion and ethnic group,” said Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer, Central’s community ministries coordinator, who manages the Restoration Center. “But despite its diversity, it is a community that points to Christ; that points to God in all we do. We are living out our callings to love our neighbor and serve Christ.”
“Community plus ministry equals the Restoration Center,” said Rolf.
“As we celebrate the one-year mark of the Restoration Center, we also celebrate the ongoing legacy at Central of existing for the sake of others,” said Senior Pastor Rick Nelson. “This generous giving of ourselves in the name of Christ—that is literally part of Central’s DNA—continues to inspire imagination about ways to increase the reach of Christ as we serve our neighbors with dignity, care and respect. It is a great privilege to stand with and for those for whom Christ died and to continue to ask ourselves: what more can we do?"
Restoration Center marks one year of service and radical hospitality
Central’s Restoration Center opened for a three-hour “test run” on March 3, 2009. A year later, it has become the public face of Central to hundreds who come for help week in and week out. It is the latest incarnation of a 90-year legacy of existing for the sake of others here in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.
The Restoration Center—born out of Central’s strategic plan—combines previous community ministries, such as the Clothes Closet (in operation since 1967) with new efforts of hospitality, counseling, financial assistance and spiritual formation. And, it does it all from a dedicated space, which is unique among the outreach ministries of downtown Minneapolis congregations.
“Much more happens around the gifts of clothing or food than one might think,” said Pastor Kristen Jacobson, who oversees Central’s Community Ministries. “What happens when people come is restorative, life-giving and community-building—both for those who receive and those who give.”
The Center is named, said Pastor Kristen, “out of the promises” of 1 Peter 5:10-11: “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen and establish you.”
“I believe this promise of restoration is for all of us at Central whether we are a traditional member or a member of the community that surrounds the Restoration Center. God is actively restoring us as he promises to support, strengthen and establish us for the good of the world,” said Pastor Kristen.
In addition to those served (see numbers below), the Restoration Center “community” includes nearly 70 regular volunteers—many of whom are not members of Central.
“There are people of every background, religion and ethnic group,” said Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer, Central’s community ministries coordinator, who manages the Restoration Center. “But despite its diversity, it is a community that points to Christ; that points to God in all we do. We are living out our callings to love our neighbor and serve Christ.”
“Community plus ministry equals the Restoration Center,” said Rolf.
“As we celebrate the one-year mark of the Restoration Center, we also celebrate the ongoing legacy at Central of existing for the sake of others,” said Senior Pastor Rick Nelson. “This generous giving of ourselves in the name of Christ—that is literally part of Central’s DNA—continues to inspire imagination about ways to increase the reach of Christ as we serve our neighbors with dignity, care and respect. It is a great privilege to stand with and for those for whom Christ died and to continue to ask ourselves: what more can we do?"
333 South Twelfth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
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