Many urban LCMS congregations have been impacted by population shifts that occurred during the latter part of the twentieth century. Much of what had been the traditional German-Lutheran membership of these congregations relocated to suburban areas and adopted local church homes.

After initial struggles over purpose, mission, staffing and declining membership and income, a number of inner-city congregations have recognized and seized opportunities to reach out to their inner-city neighbors. Many of these people are also struggling—with poverty; hunger and health issues; inadequate education; limited vocational options; even crime, addiction and mental illness. Neighborhoods in such economically-depressed areas receive little assistance or sympathy from government or private entities.

LCMS World Relief and Human Care supports inner-city congregations that are touching people's lives by taking the lead in community- and capacity-building programs. Many are offering a variety of programs to enable their neighbors to break the cycles of poverty and struggle:

• after-school care or youth mentorship
• food pantries and nutrition; single-family home ownership
• legal and resettlement assistance for immigrants
• job-retraining and job-related transportation assistance
• assistance with physical and mental health concerns

And as they touch the lives of the people in their communities with hope for a brighter future, the leaders and members of these congregations offer a message of hope for eternity through Jesus Christ.