JOC started by showing up on Tuesday nights at the motels with food, knocking on doors to build relationships, and praying with our friends. We now have two Family Rooms (drop-in spaces) where people can come, connect, and grow. We use an empowerment model where people earn points for coming to classes, helping with community cleanup, and taking steps toward wellbeing. They can then spend those points in the Family Room store on food, clothing, and hygiene items. We are starting a program to serve women who have been trafficked and sexually exploited.
Mission: Show up. Love People. Build Relationships. Cultivate Wellbeing.
Vision: We are rising together out of the poverty of soul and circumstance.
Values: Prayer, Friendship, Partnership, Honor, Presence
In many ways, our journey to East Colfax is the fulfillment of a 30 year old dream. When Diane and I were in college and seminary, living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we found a home living and serving among the urban poor. We thought we would spend our life doing church in that setting, but God had other ideas. After serving a small church in Western Canada for 4 years, we came to another small church in SE Aurora. That church grew steadily for nearly 26 years. Rather than spending those 30 years serving amidst urban poverty, we spent them serving in suburbia.
In 2015, on the heels of a period of burnout and depression, it became clear that Jesus was calling us to step away from our church and our ministry in suburbia. I had a sabbatical year coming so we had some time to breathe and heal, not clear what our next chapter would be. I was 58 and though some thought I had retired, we were certain Jesus had other things for us to do.
On November 4, 2015 I took a motorcycle ride from Southlands, a large open air mall just down the road from the church I had pastored, to East Colfax. It was a ride from the wealthiest part of the City of Aurora-where both Southlands and my former church were located-to the poorest part. Riding down Colfax, seeing signs of urban blight and poverty mixed with the beautiful diversity triggered a powerful response in my heart. I had the profound sense that I had come home, that this was where Jesus was calling Diane and me to serve. After 30 years in a suburban wilderness, a chance to return to our dream.
One prayer time with Jesus stands out from those early days. He was pretty blunt to tell me that if I had any notion that I was going to bring Him-Jesus-to East Colfax, I should get it out of my head. He was already there and didn't really need my help! But if we were willing to come humbly, He would find some place for us to serve. That prayer time helped me to come to this community humbly, looking for the places Jesus was already at work.
Even though Diane and I lived our former life to the full, serving in the suburbs, we are deeply honored that Jesus has called us to serve out this next chapter among our broken and beautiful friends along East Colfax. We consider it a great gift and are grateful for the love and support so many have shown to allow us to do this work.
Organization name
Jesus on Colfax Ministries
other names
JOC
2016
Tax id (EIN)
81-3709597
Category
Religion-Related
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
9360 E. Colfax Ave.Mailing
PO Box 1584Headquarters
9360 E. Colfax AveArapahoe County, CO, US
Adams County, CO, US
Denver, CO, US