An initiative to increase our impact as we love our community in the name of Jesus
God was moving in Northeast Mpls long before we arrived – and God will be moving for generations to come.
Now we are here and the Spirit is inviting us to join in!
We have an opportunity like never before to be HERE FOR GOOD.
When Mill City started in 2008, our hope was that we would be the kind of church that did so much good in the neighborhood that the community would miss us if we were to ever leave—but we’ve always known, and we believe now more than ever, that we are called to stay rooted in the city for the long haul.
In 2023 Mill City adopted Historic Elim Church – and that meant inheriting a powerful 135 year legacy of faithfulness! This allowed us to be rooted in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis in a new way.
God bringing us together gave us an opportunity like never before to be HERE FOR GOOD.
Here for the good of the city, The Church, and for generations to come!
We believe that God is leading us to significantly increase the impact of our mission through the Here For Good Initiative – the opportunities before us have come through prayer, listening to the needs of the community, and discernment by hundreds of people in our church.
Our primary goal is 100% financial participation – that everyone who is a part of Mill City Church would prayerfully consider how God may lead them to be here for good in terms of their personal financial generosity.
You are invited to respond to God’s goodness and join in!
HERE FOR GOOD
For God’s Glory and our Neighbor’s good.
Every road God has led us down has been uncharted territory, and while the Spirit has been a compass, we’ve never had a map. So as we step into God’s future for our church, the goodness of God compels us to love our community in the name of Jesus in even deeper ways so they will know that we are here for good.
Together we have said “yes” to the many ways God has led us to this moment. We are excited to see what God will do through your “yes” to be here for good!
Your participation is what will allow us to do more good in the city, The Church, and for generations to come.
How you can join in:
Pray – We believe that prayer is the greatest catalyst for God’s goodness. You can contribute by praying that God would give us wisdom as we follow the Spirit’s lead. Please pray that the generosity of our community would allow us to say “yes” and do more good. Put the prayer coaster somewhere to remind you to pray!
Serve – “Loving our community in the name of Jesus” is more than a mission statement – it’s who you are! You are here for good as you love each other well, serve Northeast Minneapolis and live out this mission in all your everyday spaces. As we begin various initiatives there will be ways to join in and serve!
Give – We can’t be here for good without your help! We pray you would give generously of your time, of your talents and of your finances to help us significantly increase the impact of our mission. Fill out a commitment card in person or online.
For additional questions related to Here For Good, email us.
hereforgood@millcitychurch.com
612.353.1755
HERE FOR THE GOOD OF THE CITY
Initiatives to love the community of Northeast Minneapolis in the name of Jesus
35% Allocation of funds
To love Northeast
God has empowered us to be a catalyst for good in Northeast Minneapolis!
Mill City has become known in the neighborhood as a church that will respond when there are needs in our city.
We have formed deep partnerships with Las Estrellas School, The Little Kitchen Food Shelf, Clare Housing and other organizations who serve the Northeast community. As the founding church of Every Meal, we helped launch this non profit that now serves kids in 400 schools in Minnesota. They provide 47,500 meals per week to cover the weekend food gap so many kids face.
In the name of Jesus
We know that in our part of the city very few people know the freedom found in following Jesus – there are church buildings every few blocks, but many are near empty or have closed completely. Our investment in the city has the opportunity to allow our neighbors to encounter the love of Jesus in their lives.
We are in the position to do even more good in the city that we love!
Some of the current “here for the good of the city” initiatives:
HOSPITALITY & HOUSING
In August 1995, Nick and Sue bought 677 13th Ave NE, across from Mill City’s Madison Street entrance. They felt called to care for children needing a home but needed a larger living space to do so. Over the years, they fostered 25 kids and offered the additional units to neighbors who needed affordable rental housing.
After 30 years, it is now time for Nick and Sue to downsize, but they want to ensure the house will continue to serve the neighborhood. This led them to ask Mill City to buy the house at a reduced cost. In response, we have developed a business plan and engaged potential supportive affordable housing partners so that we can continue their legacy of hospitality and generosity in this historic house—which was the first built in the entire neighborhood!
Learn More:
- FAQ: Includes Feasibility Report, Business Plan and Vision
- Stable Homes Stable Schools (possible supportive housing partner)
- Arrive Ministries (possible supportive housing partner)
YOUNG LIFE NORTHEAST
For many years around the Twin Cities, there has been outreach ministry to teenagers who don’t know the love of Jesus, but currently, none of those ministries have a presence in Northeast Minneapolis.
In our years as a church, we at Mill City have wondered if God might be calling us to be the catalyst for a ministry for middle and high school students in our neighborhood. Recently, we were approached by the leaders of Young Life Crosstown about a partnership to launch Northeast Young Life. In response, we have already identified a candidate who the Young Life team would supervise and train to lead this new ministry. Mill City would offer support and provide space for gatherings—now, all we need is the funding to get started!
Young Life Northeast would not replace any Student Ministry programming at Mill City. It is outward focused and geared towards reaching students who are not a part of a local church.
LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS
We have built trusted relationships with our Northeast Community Impact partners over the years. We have been able to support their causes with volunteers and resources. Recently, it has become more difficult for nonprofits to acquire grants and other financial support that are no longer available.
Partners like The Little Kitchen Food Shelf, My Very Own Bed, and Clare Housing have asked for more support in order to address the rising needs in the community. We continually support these partners with volunteers but would also like to increase our financial support for their causes.
The Here For Good initiative would allow us to support these partners by saying “yes” when financial gaps need to be filled.
Learn More:
Mill City’s Partners
HERE FOR THE GOOD OF THE CHURCH
Initiatives to equip our church and empower churches beyond our own
35% Allocation of Funds
To equip our church:
Mill City is a church that focuses on every person being equipped to live The Way of Jesus in the places God calls us every day. The growing diversity of our community and the passion to live out our mission means there is a greater need to expand opportunities to learn, grow and engage deeper in discipleship and mission. Every one of us experiences brokenness and challenges in our lives as we follow Jesus and we hope to increase our resources to support those in need of healing and restoration.
To empower churches beyond our own:
We have been intentional to establish relationships with many local churches recognizing the truth that there is only one church of Jesus – just meeting in different locations. The difficult reality is that many churches are struggling right now. God has led us to be an encouragement to other churches in the Twin Cities in meaningful ways.
We have the opportunity to equip the Mill City community as well as empower churches beyond our own in deeper ways!
CHURCH PLANTING
Mill City has had the honor of supporting many new churches over the years. We have been able to be the sending church for two church plants so far: North City Church and Espíritu Santo! North City Church is a “brunch/dinner church” that meets in North Minneapolis. Espíritu Santo is a Spanish-speaking church that meets at Las Estrellas School.
We now have the opportunity to come alongside a third church plant: Garden City Church! Officially launching in Fall 2025, Chris and Elin Aldrich will co-pastor this community. Their vision is to be a church made up of many “house churches” meeting in homes around the Twin Cities. Chris and Elin have been long-time members of Mill City, and Elin was baptized by Mill City over ten years ago!
We have the opportunity to empower this new church to reach communities that we could never reach by merely being a bigger Mill City Church.
Learn more:
Church Planting FAQ
THE REFUGE
The need is greater than ever for care and community for those who are healing. In response, we have launched a new support community called The Refuge that is a collective of groups focused on various topics. This has started with just a few groups, but we anticipate the initiative to grow quickly!
The vision is that this ministry would not only be for those within our church, but for other churches, the community of Northeast, and beyond. We believe that there is a significant role our church can play in providing hope and healing, while also being a liaison to other services and resources when needed.
Learn More:
Current groups will always be listed at millcitychurch.com/refuge
Refuge FAQ
AGILE RESOURCE NETWORK
We see a need for churches, organizations, and leaders to have stronger relationships and greater resources. As leaders have come together, we’ve begun to form an initiative called the Agile Resource Network. Its name is to remind us of the call for the church to listen and respond to God with agility.
This network allows us to more effectively share resources so that everyone can participate collectively, rather than feel like they are limited to the resources offered by Mill City.
It will also be a home base for the many entrepreneurial and innovative experiments emerging from our community and wider network. Here For Good will offer seed money for this network as it gets started so that more communities and churches can be empowered!
Learn More:
Agile Resource Network Website
Agile FAQ
URBAN RETREAT
In these distracted and noisy days people are longing for time and space set aside to connect with God. We have folks excited to lead an initiative called “The Urban Retreat” that would allow our church buildings to be spaces for contemplative group and solitary experiences. Spiritual Directors and those who have training in spiritual formation will help host or guide those who would benefit from support in seeking God in prayer and spiritual practices.
Part of this initiative would be a redesign of the current two bedroom and two bathroom apartment on the 4th floor of the church building. There is a need for updates to the space so it could be used for personal or group prayer retreats when it is not being used for Global Impact Partners home on furlough.
Are you interested in connecting with the leaders praying about this initiative? Let us know! [email protected]
HERE FOR THE GENERATIONS TO COME
Initiatives to invest in our young people and the vitality of Mill City’s Future
30% Allocation of funds
Invest in our young people
Our young people are not the church of the future – they are the church of today! We are grateful to have hundreds of kids and students in our ministries at Mill City. While much of our resources support ministry to adults, we want to multiply what is invested in our youngest Mill City members and empower them to grow as disciples of Jesus.
The vitality of Mill City’s future
Many churches that begin in the city are not able to stay due to the high cost of facilities and other challenges that come in the urban setting. We are committed to being here for good – for the long haul!
Thousands of hours and financial investment from the Elim Church community for many years meant the building we now share had few urgent repairs needed and zero debt! We want to continue this commitment to steward all that God has given us.
We hope to strengthen our ability to be rooted in Northeast Minneapolis for generations to come!
MILL CITY STUDENT’S SPACE
The Mill City Students (grades 6 – 12) have outgrown their youth room—What a great problem to have! The MCC Building Team has been preparing a space specifically for them that is three times the size of the current space. They are ready to install carpet, lighting, and furnishing so our students can begin to make the space their own!
This space will also be used by the Young Life ministry to gather when it’s not being used for Mill City students. Pastor Rose and the students wrote prayers on the floor of the room during the 7 Days of Prayer, expressing hope that God’s spirit would prepare the space for spiritual growth.
We intend for this to be one of the first projects we complete as part of the Here For Good Initiative!
Learn more:
Students Space FAQ
FACILITY SUSTAINABILITY
Our hope is that Mill City can be here for generations to come! One important goal of this generosity initiative is to establish a robust savings account that we can continue to give to on a monthly basis. This would be a savings investment account that would serve to support the ongoing needs and repairs of our properties. Through our partnership with the Wesleyan Investment Foundation, we have the opportunity to put those funds to work, supporting other churches through their loan programs. The funds will grow 4.5% APR while in the account, but will remain liquid so we can access resources if needed.
Our goal is to have our mission-driven income from property use continue to offset the cost of the facilities to the church budget so that we can continue to invest in the savings account on an ongoing monthly basis.
Learn More:
Savings Account With WIF
Facility Sustainability FAQ
INTERGENERATIONAL MINISTRY
Mill City is blessed to have a breadth of generations worshipping together! However, different generations have different needs for both support and equipping. This generosity initiative has the opportunity to strengthen the great ministry being done and support new opportunities.
There are specific investments in our building that would make a big impact for every generation. Some examples of potential projects would be: delayed maintenance in the Elim Preschool wing (which is also used by our kids every Sunday), updates needed to bathrooms, and addressing sound issues under the Sanctuary balcony, which impact those with hearing limitations.
Our hope is to also bolster the ministry budgets to empower every generation to live the way of Jesus!
Learn More:
Intergenerational Ministry FAQ
HERE FOR GOOD UPCOMING EVENTS
There are no upcoming events at this time.
COMMIT
The Here For Good generosity initiative will last two years. During this time every dollar given to Mill City Church empowers us to be Here For Good!
Here for good Generosity Initiative 2 Year Goals (March 2025 – March 2027)
Primary goal: 100% Participation
Secondary Goal: $5,000,000*
*includes operations budget for 2 years
At Mill City we have always said that generosity is about what God wants for us, not from us.
Would you be willing to take your next step to empower our community, to do more good in our city, the church and for generations to come?
I’M HERE FOR GOOD!
Provide your commitment details, and your response will be shared with just a small group of people from the Here For Good Team.
Projected Breakdown of Funds Sheet
2 Year Gift Chart
Generosity Next Steps
Guide Book PDF
"Loving our community in the name of Jesus" is more than a mission statement - it’s who we are! You live out the mission of Mill City everywhere you show up for good - for God’s glory and your neighbor’s good!
Listen to these stories of how God has used Mill City to empowered our community to be Here For Good:
PRAYER
Pray with us as we take steps to be here for good!
Here For Good Prayer walk – Saturday, April 12th 8:30-10am at 685 13th Ave NE
Pray for…
- Our community to grow in generosity and for our hearts and lives to be formed in The Way of Jesus.
- Our impact in Northeast Minneapolis and beyond – that the name of Jesus would be made known as we do more good.
- Our partnerships with other organizations and churches as we desire together to be Here For Good.
- Our community to have wisdom and unity as we love our community in the name of Jesus.
Can our prayer team pray for you or your family?
Let us know how we can pray here:
Contact
For questions related to Here For Good, please email us.
Accounting Questions?
Email: [email protected]
Church Office: 612.353.1755