“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” Psalm 82:3
Mission Alive gives special attention to starting new, innovative churches in marginalized communities across North America. Very few church planting ministries focus on starting fresh expressions of the Kingdom in the most devastated communities. These are hard places to live, work and minister. Consequently, the churches there tend to be small, old and disconnected from their community.
Mission Alive has identified 100 locations across six types of marginalized communities in need of innovative churches to engage the brokenness of their respective community. You may want to consider whether God is calling you or your church to start a new church in one of these communities.
Explore Our 100 Marginalized Communities
Immigrant
Native / First-Nations
Rural
Transitioning
University
Urban
Six Types of Marginalized Communities
Marginalized communities are communities that have largely been excluded from the social, economic, cultural and political life of the dominant culture resulting in having limited influence or the ability to improve their community without appealing to those holding social, economic, cultural or political power. Most of Mission Alive’s marginalized communities fit this description.
Immigrant (20)
Language barriers, cultural differences, and discrimination limit access to education, employment, and social services. Legal status uncertainties, fear of deportation, and lack of social capital create vulnerability and hinder full participation in society, leading to economic hardship and social isolation.
Native / Indigenous (16)
Historical trauma, forced displacement, and broken treaties result in limited control over land and resources. This manifests as inadequate healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, compounded by cultural erasure and systemic discrimination, leading to significant disparities and social challenges.
Rural (14)
Geographic isolation limits access to healthcare, education, and employment. Declining industries, lack of infrastructure (internet, transportation), and out-migration of younger populations lead to economic stagnation and reduced social services, creating barriers to opportunity and well-being.
Transitioning Suburban (10)
The attractive investment opportunities of older suburbs can trigger gentrification as neighborhoods are upgraded and remodeled. Long time residents may be forced out or experience social isolation as community demographics change and access to affordable housing declines.
University (10)
Mission Alive also uses ‘marginalized’ to describe when contemporary culture that has been pushed away from the church. Typically, this is expressed as harsh critiques of young people and youth culture without attempting to understand the ways they embody shared values despite not sharing faith. Universities with a reputation for an overtly secular worldview and newer universities (which were assumed to have fewer Christian ministries on campus) were the primary factors used to identify the university communities on the Mission Alive list.
Urban (30)
Concentrated poverty in urban areas leads to under-resourced schools, limited job opportunities, and inadequate infrastructure. Residents face higher crime rates, environmental injustices, and displacement due to gentrification, restricting access to essential services and economic mobility within the city.
Let's Talk
Schedule an appointment with Tod Vogt or Steve Shaffer to discuss your interest and potential.
