Should There Be Hope?
- Servant Partners
- Jul 29, 2023
- 2 min read
Zach Powell asks the big question after 28 years in urban ministry

Zach Powell, Servant Partners regional director for Middle East and North Africa, shares reflections from his 28 years of urban ministry.
Should there be hope when faced with urban poverty?
I’m still asking this big question. This summer marks 28 years of attempts at making a lasting impact among the world’s urban poor. After the youthful energy of the early years, the dream somewhat settled into a long season of natural skepticism. Yet, we continued to plod along in pursuit of this crazy idea: that transforming communities alongside our urban marginalized neighbors is awesome. There has been much growth, lessons learned, and a few well-placed encouragements from God. Yet there is still a nagging sense that the situation on the ground continues to be a Goliath.
The normal trajectory for those seeking to impact urban poverty is to eventually succumb to “reality.” After fighting the beast (poverty), being repeatedly exposed to trauma, failure, one’s own weakness, and even times of deep silence from God, one would expect the normal outcome of jaded bitterness—even despair. This is the stereotype of what inevitably happens to most seasoned humanitarian colleagues and even faith-based workers.
I often say that we are a few crises away from closing shop, and also a few miracles away from changing the world. The world still has the need for a movement seeking a humble, Christ-centered, justice-oriented, relationally driven, and deeply spiritual response to a world in pain.
It’s just the reality that recruiting, funding, and seeing “success” in community transformation is still a hard, daunting call. There is understandable skepticism at the idea of how meaningful, blessed, and even fun this path can be. So, there is reason to keep moving, learning, and seeking Jesus on the journey. Miracles, some not so minor, have already helped lay this foundation. But really, the fact that there is still hope—even increased hope—in the face of all that remains to be done, is a miracle in itself.
This is a shout out to God’s faithfulness. We have wavered, but God has not. The cliché that ministry success cannot be our main goal has been tested many times and is now truer than ever. Jesus—his life, death, and resurrection—must remain our main anchor. It’s not a religious statement, it’s the Rock on which the best and healthiest transformation must be built. As we continue down the road, pray we don’t lose this focus, this priority. If it goes, so will our miracle of hope.
We are so grateful for your prayers and partnership in keeping this miracle going in the face of the giant of poverty, where our neighbors need real hope to overcome.
I often say that we are a few crises away from closing shop, and also a few miracles away from changing the world. The world still has the need for a movement seeking a humble, Christ-centered, justice-oriented, relationally driven, and deeply spiritual response to a world in pain.
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This is a powerful reflection on the challenges and the enduring hope needed in the fight against urban poverty. It's so true that the weight of it all can lead to burnout and disillusionment. I really appreciate the emphasis on staying anchored to something bigger – in this case, faith. It's a reminder that the work itself, while important, isn't the ultimate goal; it's about the deeper connection and purpose. Sometimes, finding even a little bit of joy amidst the struggle is essential for sustainability. It's like needing a dose of friday night funkin' after a long week - a burst of energy to keep you going! The call for prayer and partnership is also crucial. No one can do…
This is a thought-provoking question, Zach. After 28 years dedicated to urban ministry, it's natural to ask whether there's still hope. I think the answer is a resounding yes, but it often requires shifting perspectives. Maybe it's not about immediate, visible change, but planting seeds and nurturing growth for the long term. I find that looking at challenges from different angles, even creating unconventional models, can reignite that sense of hope. It's a bit like seeing a farm with crazy cattle 3D, suddenly brought to life with new technology - a familiar scene rendered in a completely fresh and inspiring way. It takes creativity and resilience, but the possibility of making a difference, even a small one, is always worth…
This article raises a really important question about hope in the face of adversity. It's so easy to get bogged down by negative news and feel like things are never going to improve. I think the key takeaway is finding a balance between acknowledging the challenges and actively seeking out glimmers of positivity. We need to be realistic, but cynicism can be just as damaging. Maybe it's about shifting our focus to smaller, more achievable goals. Like, instead of trying to solve all the world's problems, focus on making your local community a little better. Small acts of kindness and working towards something positive, even if it's something simple like efficiently managing your virtual store in a game like Monkey…