It is written in our mission statement at Ebenezer to serve the poor and those systemically disadvantaged by our society. We do this with the best of our time, resources, and talent. We want this to be simple for you, so we focus our efforts locally in the neighborhood of Linda Vista in San Diego as well as internationally in Mexico and Malawi. We have chosen these specific places to root ourselves in sustaining work with people we enjoy friendship with.
Advocacy
Local
We are committed to walking side by side of our brothers and sisters of Linda Vista in their areas of struggle. These include the areas of housing, financial health, immigration rights, and education. As a faith community, we understand that it is part of our responsibility to come alongside of our friends with emergency, short term, and long term solutions.
Immigration
We participate in the local and national dialogue on immigration and seek to bring humanity back to this issue. We see all people as immigrants from the Garden. We believe that immigrants with and without status are all children of God, deserving of love and dignity.
Education
Our vision is for every student in Linda Vista to manifest their academic and vocational potential. We want our students to grow up in the schools of Linda Vista feeling safe, values, and enriched. This includes offering a middle school mentorship program, support our local schools, and advocating for parent education and empowerment.
Economics
We put our money where our mouth is. This means we believe business and financial opportunity is important to flourishing. We help write resumes, share job opportunities, and garner support for creative ideas.
International
We are also committed to work on behalf of the oppressed and less fortunate in other countries. At the present moment, we are working with partners in both Mexico and Malawi to alleviate short term suffering as well as to help develop opportunities for human flourishing.
Mexico
The majority of our work in Mexico is done alongside of our friends at our sister church, Casa de Restauracion (“House of Restoration”). Located in the eljido Paradones (about 20 miles outside of Mexicali), Casa De Restauracion is the vision of Pastor Raul and Lupe Castillo. Casa De Restauracion began as a drug rehabilitation center close to ten years ago, and from there quickly blossomed into a growing church in the struggling community. What began as a single trailer reaching out to those affected by addiction has grown into a large facility and a significant influence in Paradones. Our relationship with Casa De Restauracion revolves around our friendship with Pastor Raul and Lupe, and includes joining in with their efforts to come alongside of those struggling with addiction and reaching out to the community with the good news of Jesus. Learn more about Casa De Restauracion on their Facebook page here.
Malawi
We partner with an organization called Chisomo Idea to serve the under-resourced communities of the country. The mission of Chisomo Idea is to connect the global family in practices of faith, human development, and activism within Africa’s most at-risk communities. The next trip to Malawi is coming up in July 2018. For more information about Chisomo Idea, visit their website here.