One of the HUB’s Congregations and Communities grantees, Church of the Messiah Detroit is a 149 year old Episcopal church on the east side of Detroit in a neighborhood called Islandview. Led by Rev. Barry Randolph, the church is known for its many ministries including 200 units of affordable housing, internet services, its business incubation center for the community, and its literacy programs for young people to get into college.
Church of the Messiah is also known for the fact that 60% of its congregation is African American males under the age of 30, and 70% of the overall congregation is under the age of 40. The church is also mixed race with people of all backgrounds in attendance. All of this is possible because of the spiritual commitment made by the church to make a difference in the world. Young people are being trained to be leaders in the community through the power of the scriptures.
The grant project focus, BLVD Harambee, builds leadership through enlightenment, education, empowerment, employment, and entrepreneurship. Four young people ages 23-32 are being prepared for seminary for the upcoming year. Six of them are community activists, and five of them are broadcasters on our Christian radio show called “I Am Detroit!“ BLVD Harambee has helped six members to start their own businesses and two have community-owned businesses.