God loves cities, but living in them can be hard. High living expenses demand a faster pace of life. Smaller living quarters mean less personal space. Cities can also expose us to higher levels of contact with poverty, violence, crime, and people in truly desperate situations.

Oakland, California, is no exception. This city is hurting. Crime is up. The number of unhoused is up. Violence is up. Starting a church here seemed challenging and a bit scary. Yet, God is always at work. What began as twenty-five people meeting in a home in 2017 has now blossomed into 500 meeting people weekly during two Sunday services. The past seven years have been a journey of seeing God’s love for Oakland over and over again. For me, these years have driven home the fact that he is indeed able to do abundantly more than all we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). During the church’s first year, God surprised Resurrection Oakland with a beautiful church building in the heart of downtown Oakland. God has created a home for twenty-four community groups, a vibrant family and youth ministry, eight Oakland-based ministry partners, and countless stories of people coming to church and faith for the first time in a region known for its progressive and secular culture. 

God has clearly placed his church here to love and serve Oakland. But what does that look like? What does it mean to be a church that is “for the city?” How do you encourage members to love the city, serve the city, and stay in the city even when it’s hard?  

I know Resurrection Oakland is not alone in these questions. And while I don’t have all the answers, I hope to offer a few insights gathered during the past seven years of ministry here in Oakland. 

What Does It Mean to Love the City?

To me, loving the city means we are:

Always learning. Find out what people love about the city and rejoice with them. At the same time, listen well, learn about its brokenness, and grieve for the city.  

Showing up over and over. Be present in the poor and unjust places even in the smallest of ways. Often this can take years and years of being in the same place and developing relationships. Be eager and willing to commit time, energy, and financial resources to be a part of restoration, regardless of whether those you are caring for hold the same beliefs or not.  

Thinking creatively. Look for opportunities to partner with other organizations that are doing great work in the city. The church can bring together multiple organizations together to help address specific needs.

Praying for the city.  Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it because if it prospers, you too will prosper. (Jeremiah 29:7). 

Remembering the perfect city to come. The story of the Bible began in a garden but will one day end in a city with no more death or pain or tears. Eternity is urban! We have the opportunity to participate in giving our city a foreshadow of this new kingdom now in the ways we care for and serve the city in this earthly life. 

Serving a School in Oakland

One of the significant ways we have seen God at work in Oakland has been our developing friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, a public Title 1 school in West Oakland located less than one mile from the church. This school is without a PTA, and 97% of the kids qualify for free and reduced lunch. According to the state test scores, only 32% of MLK’s students are proficient in math, and 17% are at grade level for reading. Over the years, we have shown up in small ways, and God has slowly opened doors for Resurrection Oakland to build relationships with the staff and learn how to love and care for this school. Showing up has looked like providing monthly coffee and pastries for teachers and staff, helping with classroom needs and school beautification projects, and just this year starting an after-school tutoring program. This past April, we had the opportunity to plan a first-ever spring carnival for the students and families. We partnered with nine Oakland-based organizations and had over 70 church volunteers helping with set up, carnival games, food, and everything in between. It was a beautiful day uplifting this school community. It was a small picture of what a blessing our city could look like in Oakland. 

Amanda Collison is the Director of City Engagement at Resurrection Oakland Church in Oakland, CA.