Multiple Chicago stakeholders met to explore how together they could do more to address the root causes of violence in Chicago. Understanding that the challenges are highly complex, they realized that they could strategically create a collective impact. On this episode, hear how Together Chicago is being a catalyst for lasting transformation in Chicago!
MISSION & VISION: Together Chicago exists to be a catalyst for lasting transformation in the city of Chicago. Our vision is to renew Chicago, together with churches, businesses, community leaders and government officials to inspire hope within the communities we serve.
OUR STORY:
Toward the end of 2016, as gun violence in Chicago reached its highest levels in 20 years, a group of Chicago area business, faith, community, non-profit, civic and government leaders met to explore the common question they asked themselves: Is there more that can be done to address the root causes of the current level of violence we are experiencing? They realized that though the challenges in Chicago are highly complex and have developed over decades, there are strategic actions that can be taken to create a “collective impact”. Through these conversations, the desire to form a new nonprofit organization grew and Together Chicago was born. We formally launched Together Chicago in the fall of 2017 and are currently engaged in our five areas of focus – economic development, education, violence reduction, gospel justice, and faith community mobilization.
Director of Faith-Community Mobilization
Dr. John Fuder
Dr. John Fuder is the Founder and Director of Heart for the City. Doc Fuder’s passion to teach and train others to engage the city comes from his many years of experience in ministry in California and training students in Urban Studies at Moody Theological Seminary. Now Doc Fuder is equipping the broader body of Christ to engage more deeply in contextualizing the Gospel in their local communities.
Doc started the PrayChicago movement in 2014 which has grown into Chicagoland United in Prayer. He holds a B.R.E. from Prairie Bible College, an M.A. in Religion from Pepperdine University and a Ph.D. from Biola University.
Scott Parker, of Night Church also shares about how God gave him a vision of reaching the lost in the dark hours of the morning when many are in bars getting drunk.