It all began with John Wesley. Since the beginning of the United Methodist Church, John Wesley set the tone and the priority of helping to address poverty and other social ills of the day. The church—the community of believers both individually and collectively— were an active force to impact the lives of people not only with a message of hope, but with the practical expression of their faith. The church was the vehicle of helping people and ultimately changing society. John Wesley said, "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."

The United Methodist Church across the United States has been actively involved in important social issues and movement such as the women’s rights movement, civil rights and a variety of social justice concerns.

Following in the historic precedent of the Wesley Movement, Metro United Methodist Urban Ministry was founded in 1966 when First United Methodist Church of San Diego moved from downtown San Diego to Mission Valley. The congregation did not want to discontinue the outreach ministries to the "street people and the poor" so with the help of many other United Methodist Churches throughout San Diego, formed the Methodist Effort To Reach Out (METRO).

Throughout the almost 40-year history, Metro has worked in partnership with United Methodist Churches in the San Diego District to respond to needs both collectively and individually. The partnership between Metro and United Methodist Churches has produced a range of services including providing a chaplain to the homeless, working with AIDS patients, assisting individuals transitioning from welfare to work and more.

Recently, Metro was one of 30 nonprofit organizations selected from over 500 applicants nationally chosen to be apart of President Bush’s Prison Re-entry Initiative. For the last few years Metro has operated one of the top six prison projects in the United States with a recidivism rate of 6% compared to the national average of 75%. Building upon the success of the earlier project and teaming up with National Steel and Ship Building and many other partners, Metro will be working to assist those coming from prison to enter back into community and becoming productive members of society.

The changes which take in individual lives are the greatest testimony of the work of Metro.

Antoine wants to be a Carpenter

Antoine came to Metro’s youth center- MY SPOT -in September of 2004. At eighteen he has dropped out of high school, had never had a job, and was on probation for a narcotics crime. He was actively involved in a street gang and using marijuana. Antoine was a manipulator: His performance on his internship was mediocre and he was unfocused about his short term or long term goals.

While leaving MY SPOT one day he was arrested for breaking his probation and being involved with a gang. He was sentenced to County jail for a year, but because of overcrowding and his good behavior he was released in three months.

Antoine came back to MY SPOT defeated and seeking a minimal wage job. His self esteem was at an all time low. With the help of one of Metro’s Resource Managers he was encouraged to obtain his high school diploma. He enrolled in Franklin High School and then taken to the Black Contractors Association (BCA) for an orientation to learn carpentry. Antoine was so excited about the program of BCA that he joined tight away. He maintained perfect attendance and the staff of BCA describe him as a ‘pleasure to have in the program."

He receives food and support through the Good Neighbor Center and is currently living in a sober living house. He is no longer deficient in math; having received tutoring and support. He has been teamed up with the Director of the Salvation Army, a successful black professional who is providing Antoine the mentoring and support he needs to reach his goals.

At the heart of the success Metro has received is the long term partnership with individuals and churches throughout the United Methodist community. Churches, especially United Methodist Churches, are a wealth of resource and have an incredible opportunity to impact the world around them.

In research conducted by Metro we have learned that churches that reach out beyond the walls of the church grow in a variety of ways; they grow in influence, reputation and often in numbers.

The mission statement of Metro is to "help churches help people." To truly address poverty we can not do it alone, we must work in partnership with local congregations and to help them to reach out to address the social issues surrounding their churches. Together we can change the world.

On January 29th Rev. John Hughes, MSW, will be providing a brief update on the work of Metro at all of the services. To learn more about Metro please contact him directly or speak to Metro representatives on the 29th.

If you would like a copy of Metro’s free online magazine, email Rev. John Hughes, MSW at: jhughes@metrosandiego.org.