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INFINITY CHURCH: THE GOSPEL IN THE HOOD
Part II: Connecting With the Context

In the December 2003 issue of The Movement, we introduced Infinity Church, a Redeemer supported church plant in the Bronx, New York. At Infinity, church planter Dimas Salaberrios faces the challenge of reaching the kids in the Marble Hill 'hood' with the gospel... in a language they can understand. This is part two of that article.

Sylvester's dream may seem ordinary to many: to get an associates degree after graduating from high school and become an accountant. He's excited about the future and his goals. But these dreams are new for him, and they reflect the very new glimmer of hope he has for his life. Only a teenager, Sylvester grew up in the Marble Hill community, surrounded by the harsh realities of gangs and drugs.

Now he's hearing the gospel for the first time and connecting with this neighborhood in a new way -- through Infinity Church.

"These kids have a hard core Ð I can see the roughness on them. But their hearts are still soft. I see God's work here and there is a chance to make a difference," explains Dimas.

Sylvester is just one of the kids reached by the ministry of Infinity church, an outward looking ministry with activities, outreaches and events. Infinity is seeking to connect with kids like Sylvester, and to show them how the gospel of Christ can bring new hope into their lives.

"The number one goal, priority, is to get Christ in their lives," says Dimas. "My experience in youth ministry here is that, once kids get to know who Christ is, it starts to permeate the rest of their lives Ð they start to do well in school, they begin to dream bigger things and understand that they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. So that's been my motto in ministry. It's been really effective."

Weekly Services
Like all churches, Infinity offers a weekly worship service, held on Saturday afternoons in the Fort Independence Community Center. The parents and kids in this community usually think that church is a good thing but haven't connected with one. They need, they say, a church that accepts them for what they are. There is a big stereotype that looking nice for church is important, but a lot of these families can't afford to "look nice" and dress well.

So Infinity focuses on the gospel, not clothes. Using drama, hip-hop, R&B music and a direct speaking style, Dimas reaches out using the language of the community, with a more casual worship style. The first service in September 2003 went well with 60 people in attendance. Since then, both adults and children (many of them non-believers) have continued to attend and a children's ministry has been added. After the service, the congregation gathers for a meal and a time of fellowship. In addition, Infinity partners with World Vision and other groups to provide toiletries, backpacks, schools supplies for the kids.

"The whole service and time together with fellowship, praying, worshipping and sharing a meal – it's a chance to live out the gospel with the community."

Activities
In addition to church services, Dimas also organizes fun events for the kids and their friends. One of these events is the "Teen Jump-Off," a rally and gospel hip hop concert. Held in various venues, Dimas gives a talk and plans a program of music, dance and/or drama. Sometimes the talk is about conflict management or life priorities, but it always centers around the gospel. During a recent "Teen Jump-Off," fifty kids made decisions for Christ.

The "Teen Jump-Off" is becoming increasingly popular in the 'hood'. Bus transportation is provided for many of these kids to come together. These gatherings are planned regularly, maybe once or twice a month, with about 150-400 kids at each event. "The most exciting thing is walking around the community and seeing a hope in the kids eyes," Dimas reflects. "They call out to me and smile. They look forward to the services and events that are coming up. So we connect with them with these activities and let them flow with that. Let God illuminate Himself in their hearts. Let Him do His work."

In addition to being fun, activities such as the "Teen Jump-Off" also serve to bring the community together in a "neutral" environment. That means that the opposing gangs, the Bloods and the Crips, as well as other kids from the block, can share in an event and focus on something other than their territorial disputes. Dimas is even talking to the head leaders about a peace treaty and how they can solve their differences.

Funding
Typically, a new church plant relies primarily on a sponsoring church as well as large donations. Later, as the ministry develops, the church becomes self-sufficient and relies on tithes and offerings from the congregation to support ministry activities. But that's not a model that can work at Infinity. Their community of kids and low-income parents alone will not be able to provide the needed funding for ministry activities. Currently, Dimas is thinking about a different model to explain the needs of the ministry and attract prospective donors.

"We are thinking about setting up a sponsorship program," explains Dimas. "Maybe like a 'Sponsor-a-Kid' type program where, for example, a donor can give $20 per month per kid or $200 per year. I'm not sure what the exact dollar amount will be, but this will show how their money directly affects each child. The donors and the community need to realize the impact that their dollar makes Ð for every $200 a year that they give, another child can be reached. We need people who believe in the work here and will help fund this program. Money goes really far in this ministry and their support can change an entire community."

The Future
Dreams for Infinity? There are many. Dimas looks forward to the day when there will be 400-500 kids consistently hearing the gospel and being discipled. With the additional funding and staff, he can run two thriving services every week, one focused on outreach and the other focusing on growing deeper in the faith. He hopes to establish cells groups, tutoring programs and after-school activities. And beyond the success of the programs, the 'hood will genuinely be transformed by the gospel.

And then, having accomplished all that, maybe it will be time for Infinity to be a sponsoring church. Perhaps planting a church itself, in the South Bronx.

by Audrey Lee . . . with Dimas Salaberrios in the hood.