Rise Up Through Service: A Pop-Up Mission Experience at SCD 2026

SCD 2026 (August 2-5, 2026, Columbus, OH) is not just talk about becoming a movement; it’s being put into practice while we are together.

On Tuesday afternoon, participants are invited to a hands-on, interactive pop-up mission experience led by two ministries deeply rooted in their communities: All In Community in West Ohio and Urban Mission Ministries in Steubenville, Ohio. This is more than a service project; it’s a living example of what happens when discipleship, community engagement, and evangelism come together.

Local Ministries, Real Impact

All In Community, led by Jami Nathan, is a ministry shaped by relationship and restoration. One of its core practices, writing “Hope Letters” to those reentering society after incarceration, offers a simple yet powerful reminder that people matter and no one is beyond belonging. Through consistent presence and encouragement, this ministry creates pathways for dignity, connection, and new beginnings.

In nearby Steubenville, Urban Mission Ministries, led by Kim Arbaugh, has long been a trusted presence among neighbors experiencing poverty and food insecurity. Through meal programs, thrift services, and holistic care, Urban Mission meets immediate needs while building long-term relationships that foster stability and hope.

Together, these ministries reflect what it looks like to rise up, not through programs alone, but through faithful, everyday practices of love, service, and presence.

A Hands-On Invitation

During this ninety-minute drop-in session, you’ll have the opportunity to step into that work:

• Make PB&J sandwiches for neighbors facing hunger
• Write “Hope Letters” to encourage those impacted by incarceration
• Weave sleeping mats from recycled plastic bags for those experiencing homelessness

Come for a few minutes or stay the whole time. This space is designed for participation at any level.

Bring What You Can

In addition to the hands-on activities, we invite you to contribute to an ongoing collection of school kits and hygiene kits. These kits make a difference for individuals and families navigating difficult seasons.

Learn, Discern, and Imagine

This experience is also about equipping you.

As you serve, you’ll hear the stories behind these ministries, learn how they took shape, and explore how similar expressions might emerge in your context. Whether you’re clergy or laity, this is an opportunity to ask:

• What are the needs and gifts already present in our community?
• Where might God already be at work?
• What is one small, faithful step I can take?

You’ll leave not just having served, but with ideas, connections, and practices you can carry home.

Join the Movement

The church we are becoming is not built in conference rooms alone; it’s formed in kitchens, at tables, in neighborhoods, the places where God has sent us.

So come and join, and let’s rise up together, not just in word, but in action. If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected].

Learn more about SCD 2026