Our Vision
Prostitution, Gangs, Drug abuse, Family violence, AIDS, & Teen pregnancy. The inner city is a world engulfed in a culture many Christians have difficulty envisioning, let alone understanding. The idea anyone would willingly dare to venture into that culture is just as difficult to grasp. Yet, it is in the midst of that culture, that hope has found a home. Based in Jersey City, that home is the Hope Center, a center resulting from the unique vision laid upon the hearts of home missionaries Mario & Leigh Gonzalez.

The Stats
The statistics speak for themselves. Most experts forecast at least 42% of inner city youth will become unproductive adults without effective intervention. USA Today reported August 15, 1991, that black men in inner-city neighborhoods are less likely to reach age 65 than men in Bangladesh, one of the poorest nations in the world. In that same article, they reported homicide as the leading cause of death for inner city males between the ages of 15 to 24 and suicide as the third leading cause of death. Sadly, these statistics have only worsened since that report was issued. Add to this the consequences from educational dropout rates for New York’s inner city exceeding 40%, and it becomes clear why hopelessness is so prevalent.

A Ministry of the Heart
Burdened by this knowledge, Mario & Leigh began to understand why God was calling them to establish a ministry of the heart. For it is in the heart that God places man’s creative desires to express praise and worship. They saw firsthand how God turns the most hopeless situations into times of rejoicing and transformation. During their first pastorate, Mario took on a second ministerial job as Protestant Chaplain of a local hospital on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. There, Mario & Leigh ministered to terminally ill AIDS patients and their families. It was in this setting that God began to reveal His plan to restore hope to communities in both New York and Jersey City. This plan would culminate in the establishment of the Hope Center.

Our Unique Approach
The center facilitates a faith-based approach through artistic expression in a variety of fine and performing art mediums established within a strong Christian context. This distinct ministry is an inner city, intercultural, community-based outreach where people are finding hope and empowerment through Jesus Christ. The truth is that although hopelessness and despair are pervasive in the inner city, there also seems to be a thread of creativity that runs through many people living in the ghetto. Often hidden by a lack of education, poverty, drug abuse and other life-controlling issues, the thread is always there. At the Hope Center, with God’s help, we uncover this thread and allow the Holy Spirit to weave it into the beautiful tapestry of a God-led life.

The center serves children, teens, and adults of the inner city of the New York metropolitan area and northern New Jersey. Targeting the disadvantaged and “at risk,” the ministry seeks to stir a desire to rise above circumstances. This is done by tapping into the creative heart of individuals and connecting that creativity with the power and love of the Supreme Creator. Amazingly, this approach is proving very effective in bringing down walls of mistrust and despair.

Our Programs
The hope center is an amalgam of various disciplines combined to facilitate ministry in the unique environment that is the inner city. Presently, our programs presently include:
-A Fine Arts Program (both fine arts and graphic arts)
-A Performing Arts Program (Music, Drama, & Dance)
-Video & Sound Program (basic sound and video engineering for older kids)

Our Results
The City Hope Center has quickly become a virtual resource center where spiritual, emotional, and physical needs are met. By opening a basic forum to learn about God’s gifting and empowerment, individuals are finding salvation and freedom. They are learning they can aspire to greater things with the help of Christ. Through practical applications and cooperative alliances, the center offers local churches and volunteers the opportunity to come together and put their theology into practice. Through street outreaches, food distribution, and or many arts based programs, thousands have been touched by the hand of God, and hundreds continue to be touched every week.

“ This is so much more than a ‘me’ thing or ‘we’ thing,” according to Leigh. “Only God could lay this vision on the hearts of government leaders, artists, and businesspersons in such a way that they would embrace it with so much passion. Only God could grant us such favor with government leaders, church officials, and the residents themselves. Only God could bring about such dramatic results in such a short time.”

The inner city really is a world of its own requiring men and women of God to confront incredible issues and overwhelming obstacles. The lines of distinction seem more defined as an all-out battle is waged over good versus evil. Yet, within this sub-culture God is raising an army of ministers and laity within unique ministries. He has empowered them with incredible blessing and direction. The Hope Center in Jersey City, New Jersey, is one such example.
How You Can Help

The Lord has now called us to step up to the next level of ministry. We are presently at Phase One of our development plan for the Hope Center. Upon acquisition of our new facility, this phase will include the building of a new warehouse and office facilities to help offset our present overcrowded conditions. Phase Two of the project, when approved by the community and municipality, would allow us to use parts of the building to better serve the community through the arts. Would you consider partnering with us in this unique and exciting vision? Please consider becoming a financial partner with us in this life-changing work.

— Pastors Mario & Leigh