A Neighbor’s Heart

We Are Mission Southside

Our hope is in Jesus Christ, our prayer is that God will be glorified, and our heart is for those in need. We would love to have you join us in that mission.

History of Mission Southside

Mission Southside began with prayer! From August thru December of 2010, every Tuesday evening for one hour (in the home of Craig and Lorinda Howard), a group of 6-30 people started to seek God’s direction for what God wanted to do in Southwest Johnson County to bring physical help and spiritual hope to those in need.

Using free office space and a semi-trailer pulled out of a farmer’s field in Missouri, Mission Southside launched on January 2nd 2011. Mission Southside followed the model of Mission Arlington in Texas – – This model targeted apartment complexes and trailer home communities – – The strategy was clear – take Jesus to people in need by extending help and hope. Putting God’s love into action is what we are all about! A neighbor’s heart (Luke 10:25-34).

Our laser focus is our Neighborhood Teams. Through Neighborhood Teams (17 currently) we can minister to the needs of our community in a relational way through our Food Co-op, Language classes, Homework Huddle, Sports Camp, Backsnacks, Discovery Bible Studies, Counseling services and many other help and hope programs. A Neighborhood Team is a team of 8 or more people who have an “adoption” mindset – – Quickly, relationships are developed between the Neighborhood Team and the residents they serve. Quickly, these relationships become more like family – it isn’t an “us” and a “them,” it is a “WE.” Through relationships, we erode their dignity less, we create less dependency and we take away less of their personal initiative. Through relationship, the love of the Gospel is felt and received.

Since 2011, the Mission has gone from two staff and 3,000 volunteers to nine staff and 15,000 volunteers. Without our Partners (churches, schools, businesses, individuals and the other “helps” agencies), Mission Southside could not exist! “Putting God’s love into action by extending help and hope.”

We want to be a blessing! Through our relational weekly “check ins” we:
B-Begin with prayer!
L-Listen to their story and their dreams!
E-Eat together!
S-Serve together!
S-Share the story of Jesus!
I-Invitation to accept Jesus!
N-Nurture (come alongside)!
G-Get plugged into the local church (worship, community, mission)!