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By Gail Dudley, Director of Cross-Cultural Ministry

"When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."  Matthew 9:36, NIV

Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show extensive poverty in many of America's cities. Do you live near one of these cities? These statistics, while alarming, can be our wake-up call to live out the biblical message of the Gospel.

The top 10 poorest cities in America:

10. Newark, New Jersey, with a poverty rate of 24.2%
9.   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a poverty rate of 25.1%.
8.   Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a poverty rate of 26.2%.
7.   El Paso, Texas has a 26.4% rating.
6.   St. Louis, Missouri has an increasing rate of 26.8%.
5.   Miami, Florida has a rate of 26.9%.
4.   Cleveland, Ohio not only has a 27.0% poverty rate, but also ranks number one as the most crime-ridden city.
3.   Cincinnati, Ohio has a poverty rate of 27.8%.
2.   Buffalo, New York has a very high poverty rate of 29.9%.
1.   Detroit, Michigan tops the list at 32.5%.

In a study, the Education Resources Information Center found:  "There is a close connection between poverty and illiteracy at all levels—global, national, and sub-national. . . . Poverty breeds illiteracy by forcing children to drop out of school to work, and these illiterate people are forced to stay on the lowest levels of the work force and thus remain in poverty. Illiteracy in turn reinforces poverty, and poverty is cyclical in families. Women and girls are especially vulnerable to the cycle."

Is this an open door to strategically build ministry in the top 10 poverty areas of America? Think about it: Sharing the Gospel of Jesus, having Bible study while teaching women to read, equipping and encouraging women to press towards the prize of the high calling of Jesus, and introducing Christ who can bring about a new life would reach these women right where they are. 

A study conducted by the University of Maryland found that race in poverty areas includes  African-American, Asian-American, Ethiopian, Latino, and White-American. The face of poverty comes in all shades and colors. This is cross-cultural ministry.

What can you do? Begin praying for these cities; pray especially for the city listed nearest you.  E-mail Gail Dudley, Director of Cross-Cultural Ministry at gdudley@stonecroft.org to continue the discussion.