WINSTON-SALEM, NC, USA
Once a thriving center for manufacturing and commerce, Winston-Salem built much of its prosperity through the tobacco industry. But as the industry declined, the city experienced significant economic disinvestment and a growing gap between its communities. Today, Winston-Salem faces deep economic inequality, high levels of segregation, and limited pathways out of poverty. A 2015 Harvard study found that Winston-Salem was the most difficult place in the nation for a child born into poverty to move into a better economic situation.
Our Servant Partners team in Winston-Salem is working to plant roots in the communities most impacted by poverty by partnering with our neighbors to see God’s Kingdom come. The human resources remaining in this once-thriving economic city are still present, resilient, gifted, and eager for holistic renewal. Our site is developing local leaders through an internship program for residents (Crimson Crown Institute) and developing ministry leaders in areas of poverty through a residency program (Righteous Oaks Residency). In 2018, this site also started a school in and for the community (Rise Academy), an afterschool program (RAP), a mentorship program (Royalty Mentoring), and a rite of passage program (Royal Path) to help develop the next generation of leaders in Southside and East Winston-Salem. These ministries are born from the Spirit’s work among the church plant (Rise Church) started in 2017. The Winston-Salem site is excited to continue to build our ministry team through called disciples committed to seeing people, families, and communities RISE in Winston-Salem.
