"hands-on compassion"
There's more to read on the web at www.missionwaco.org
Dr. Scott Todd of Compassion Int’l. Shares Progress of Christians Against Poverty
Next Tuesday, Feb. 7, Mission Waco will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the Waco Convention Center. Entitled “Looking Back, Looking Forward,” close to a thousand supporters are expected. Dr. Scott Todd, Senior Advisor for Compassion Intl., will speak about the impact of Christians on the world’s neediest people. Tickets are $40/each, or tables of ten are $375 for non-profit organizations or churches. Call the office, 254.753.4900, for tickets.
World Cup goes fancy on its 6th Anniversary Night...come see and eat!
You can eat prime rib, pork tenderloin or roast beef and listen to live violin and cello music on this special night, then head into the Jubilee Theatre to hear former Baylor student, Elizabeth Davis, in her musical review from her work on and off Broadway in NYC. Or just pick one of these two Valentine Night enjoyable activities. Meal reservations are preferred (service from 5:30-8:00) by calling 254.757.1748. At 7:30pm in the adjacent Jubilee Theatre, you’ll hear incredible singing, acting and violin music from one of Broadway’s newest stars from the upcoming spring production of “Once.” Advanced tickets are $12.50 and $14.00 at the door. Limited to 200 tickets. Call 254.753.4900 or email for details.
From Waco to the World...bringing good news to the poor
Organized as “Cross Culture Experiences” in 1991, Mission Waco became the common name for the growing programs among the poor and marginalized. Yet many local folks supporters were unaware of the ministry’s work in three impoverished countries around the world that began in 1987, prior to the organization’s official beginning. In August, 2011, the board of directors approved a more appropriate name, Mission Waco/Mission World, to define both the local and global ministry. Because the original Articles of Incorporation were still consistent with the broader scope of ministry, only the legal name was officially changed 1/1/12. Donations given to the general fund go to local ministries, while designated gifts support the ministry’s work in Haiti, MxCity and India.
Applications due now for upcoming experiences among world’s poor
For over twenty-five year, Mission Waco/Mission World has been taking middle-class Christians to journey among some of the world’s poorest to explore their own call and opportunities to make a difference in the world, where 21,000 children under the age of five die daily from hunger-related causes. This Spring, you can head to the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation, Haiti, or go in April to MxCity, a huge city of 30 million inhabitants, or journey in late May to the exotic land of India, home of largest numbers of unreached peoples. Information and details on all all three trips is available at under “Training” and “Mission/Exposure Trips.”
Calendar filling up with “plunge” opportunities
For ten weeks of the summer, Mission Waco’s dorm fills up with church and student groups who come to Waco to dive into the middle of our community’s needs and learn about God’s concern for the poor. College and young adult interns apply each summer to join the leadership team. Besides work groups, hundreds of participants also attend Mission Waco’s weekend poverty simulations as a part of their training to understand and empower the poor. Applications for internships, summer work groups and poverty simulations are all on the web under “training.” Due to popular demand, leaders are encourage to reserve their group soon.
Nightly informal devotionals impact “servers” and “served”
Each evening at 7:00pm, Christian groups enter Mission Waco’s “My Brother’s Keeper” homeless shelter to sing, pray, read the Bible, eat a snack and enjoy fellowship with men and women who enter from the streets to the warmth of a bed and real fellowship. Scores of churches, student groups, and organizations sign up for a night or two a month for the 45-minute casual devotional. If your group is interested, email for available dates.
Students at “Juvie,” Alternative and Challenge Academy Get An Advocate
The label “at-risk” is a common adjective added to most urban children and teens today. Poverty, being the child of a single parent, and low scores in school are certainly concerns of ours in the after-school teen program. But the genuinely “at-risk” are the teens who have dropped out, gotten into legal problems, or been removed from mainstream classes to the Alternative School or Challenge Academy. Mission Waco’s youth program has been working hard for the last year to make a difference among these high-risk teens. Staff member Gabe Dominquez spends his week at the Juvenile Detention Center, offering community service at Mission Waco, using a music studio to get to their pain, and mentoring students in the “one more chance” schools. Dominquez knows their pain and struggle, since he, too, was a school drop-out and in trouble with the Law. Today, as a Christian who has a deep passion to guide these young lives past the barriers and struggles of their lives, he is well respected among the probation officers and school administrators who have watched him reach these teens that few could reach. “He really cares!” they say.
Low-income children perform “Wizard of Oz” in April
Just two weeks ago, the Jubilee Theatre was filled with dances from around the world. Next week, there’s a musical review with pieces from Broadway. And in the weeks ahead, you will be invited to the second annual, “Waco’s Got Talent!,” Wizard of Oz (Mission Waco children), the first Jubilee Theatre Festival, and several outside groups using the theater for their own performances. Keep up with all the talent at .
Job training, health clinic and social services address huge issues
It’s the “Grand Central” of our ministry with folks from all over Waco showing up for help. The Meyer Center is the “one-stop shop” for those needing job readiness, a social worker, a voucher for a night at the homeless shelter, a G.E.D. Class, a clothing voucher, an application for alcohol/drug treatment, or even to see a doctor. From 6:15am each morning to the evening G.E.D. Class, the former church building is filled with participants who wash clothes, take a shower, check out a locker, or make a phone call. Both staff and volunteers, including several academic interns, are there to help!
Rayshun & Devon speed past hundreds of runners for one-mile event
For the past few months, children in Mission Waco’s “after-school tutoring” program have run a mile, often accompanied by men in the recovery program, a few Baylor athletes, and some staff members. In fact they ran 25 miles before last Saturday’s “Miracle Match Marathon.” The final one mile to complete the marathon was held in conjunction with the major marathon running event. Several of the qualifying children, all under the 8th grade, showed up to run. And much to the surprise of many, two of the boys earned first and third place in the race. One coach noted that Rayshun, who has never had any training, would be a track star some day! Congratulations to all the children who work hard in a world of child obesity to stay fit. And great leadership accolades to our Children’s Program staff.
Contact info......
Mission Waco
1315 N. 15th Street (office)
Waco, TX 76707
254.753.4900
Mission Waco is primarily supported by individuals who believe in the mission and purposes of the urban ministry. If you want to help or become a monthly donor, go online to , call the office, or just send you gift to the office. Mission Waco is a 501c3 organization that has the highest “Charity Navigator” rating available for responsible use of its funds.