By Terry Jaurena & Geraud Brumfield
Where were you in 1995? I was moving into my 3rd year serving as the Director of Mission Involvement here at FPC. Our church leaders had recently reversed their decision to tear down the 4-plex apartment building in the parking lot which we had recently fully acquired. Randy White had birthed the Fresno Institute for Urban Leadership a few years prior while working as InterVarsity staff. His proposal to move what had been happening in their home into this 4-plex was the cause for that reversal. The White House had been a place for a select few college students to explore Biblical Community, Urban Ministry and Leadership Development. The Pink House was launched expanding the number of students who could engage in this intensive exploration and discipleship. Fairly newly married Steve & Sheila Skibbie were among the residents that very first year. It was my privilege to be in the “room where it happened.”
The Pink House has always been a partnership between InterVarsity and First Presbyterian Church. Leadership shifts and changes in InterVarsity this year led them to the decision to press pause the program for the 2020-21 year (well before Covid-19 turned a lot of ministry plans upside down). We saw this as an opportune time to step in and continue to invite students into an intensive and intentional time of exploration and growth still centered around three key values: Biblical Community, Urban Ministry, and Leadership Development. We are looking forward to what God will do in and through this new level of engagement in the Pink House.
As the Mission/Outreach/Communication Director, I am looking forward to the opportunity to engage the Pink House interns in FPC’s outreach efforts and with some of our closest partners in the Lowell Community.
Before coming to Fresno, for 4 years, I was on staff for the CCO’s Ocean City Beach Project. This experience was for students to have a summer long community living experience while learning what it would look like to be leaders on the campuses. I had first-hand experience in watching students develop as stronger leaders, their faith being deepened, and the confidence in loving their neighbors grow. Then after moving to Fresno, the potential for something similar was on the minds of so many people.
Last year, we had the opportunity to launch a new idea called, Encounter Fresno. For 6 weeks, 4 students and an intern lived in the Pink House. Through classes, mentorship, and meals, FPC poured into these young people as they grew as resilient disciples. Through Encounter Fresno students learned the importance of knowing the Gospel, involvement in the local church, and creating a vision for their life beyond college. It was a transformational summer for all those involved.
Now, as a church we can embark on this amazing journey of pouring into the lives of more young adults who have a passion for loving God, their city, and their neighbor. We are given the space to invite students into a deeper relationship with Jesus as they grow in their faith. The Pink House is not just a house where students will live and build community. But they will learn, grow, discover, be challenged, and navigate the intricacies of their faith.
As the Director of College Ministry, I can’t think of anything else more exciting.
We are working closely with Rhonda Dueck, director of North Fresno Church’s Micah Project, and Fresno’s Association of Ministry Houses. There once were 4 of these related programs in our city. The Pink House was the first. The Hub followed 2010 in partnership with Highway City Community Development Corporation. That sparked a movement that saw two more houses and leaders emerge: the Micah Project out of North Fresno Mennonite Brethren Church in 2014 and Casa Shalom connect to The Bridge Church in 2014. The Pink House and Micah Project are the two continuing programs since 2017.
Remaining part of this Association means we’re in partnership with Micah Project, working collaboratively on recruitment, selection, retreats, and the 10-month program’s curriculum. We get to lean into a wealth of experience as we launch this experimental year.
We hope you will jump in with us!
- Pray: We need you to pray for FPC as we enter in partnership with Fresno Association of Ministry Houses (FAMH). Pray for students to apply for this exciting discipleship opportunity - and soon! It’s a difficult season for people to even consider an August 2020 - June 2021 commitment. We need the Lord to fill the Pink House and Micah Project.
- Recruit: Think about college aged persons and young adults (20-30 years of age) who you know and invite them to apply for this amazing opportunity. Technically the application deadline is May 15 … but that’s a soft deadline. You can point potential applicants to the Pink House page of our website or the FAMH website.
- Participate: We are forming a Pink House Engagement Team to team to add their gifts in the areas of Church Engagement, Community Engagement, House Engagement, Mentor Engagement and Property Management. Maybe you want to mentor a student, host the house for a meal, help some quarterly fun happen or just support in some creative way.
Also, when the current program year ends in June, we want to update and refresh the 4 apartments that are the Pink House. As specifics emerge, we’ll have lots of opportunities for you to participate!
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Jeremiah 29:7
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