CITC has served an average of 55 youth and engaged up to 60 volunteers annually. Currently the ministry is positioning for phase 2 in rallying resources to hire a staff team and fully establish a central ministry site based on this fruitful model. The site is to serve as a model for churches as a program that can be replicated, and as a training base. Here is how it all started:
The Lord gave a powerful revelation of His heart for youth at-risk in 1999. In days following, the Lord unfolded a plan for a unique model of strategic preventive programs formed around skill and talent development and discipleship to founder Sheri Bedsole. Sheri submitted the vision to the elders of her church, who took the matter to prayer and gave their blessing. Having been associated with Building Together Ministries for many years, she worked with Afterschool Director Linda Riggins to set up a pilot project in the Building Together Afterschool Academy. Specialized electives were provided in drama, dance and music to children K-5. The program quickly evidenced positive impact on lives. Prayer partners were recruited and a board of directors was formed.
A second site was established in 2001 when Sheri was introduced to Royce Hathcock of Neighbor 2 Neighbor Ministries. N2N had been in search of arts programming and CITC was in search of a site to serve teens. The two shared a common purpose in Christ-centered serving and outreach to lift up youth and families in disadvantaged communities. They saw a God thing happening and a partnership was formed. Together they conducted a pilot program and the effectiveness of program strategies in the lives of teens was readily visible. CITC incorporated in 2001 and received 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 2002. The ministry has served at two independent locations central to Southeast Raleigh since 2012.
In 1999 the Lord gave a powerful revelation of His heart for youth at-risk
History of Clubs In The City
History of Clubs In The City Ministry
Read about the NEED for Clubs In The City
Read about the IMPACT of Clubs In The City
The Three-Track Teen Program is temporarily on pause, as we give focus to transitioning to new leadership and expanding our funding.
Clubs In The City Programs Update
Please enjoy exploring our exciting missions model and let us know how YOU would like to be involved!
Clubs In The City Programs Update
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lords holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
This scripture expresses the Lord's revealed purpose for Clubs In The City and serves as the key verse of the ministry.
Read more about Clubs In The City's Core Values >>
Respect for culture
Commitment to racial unity
Relevant wholesome content
High staff to child ratio
Mutuality
Ensure solid spiritual commitment
Faithfully nurture disciples
Love in word and action
Emphasis on relationship
Empowered by prayer
Experiential learning
Solid behavior management
Well equipped staff
Faithfully represent God's character
Respect for culture
Material used in Clubs and Classes is culturally relevant to the young people served. The ethnicity of those served will be well represented in the staff and volunteer force. Revelations 7:9
Commitment to racial unity
We are committed to be a racially diverse body of believers, serving together in loving reconciled relationships, fully and wholeheartedly for one another, under the Lordship of Christ. All hired staff will be persons walking in a mature healing and wholeness in regard to racial issues, well established in their identity in Christ, so that they can lead by example in the many spheres we have opportunity to influence. Ephesians 4:1-32 and especially verses 3-5
Relevant, wholesome content
Material used in Clubs and Classes is relevant to life issues youth are facing and is wholesome, constructive and uplifting in nature. All values and principles taught through clubs and classes are to be consistent with Biblical truth. Leviticus 20:7
High staff to child ratio
CITC is committed to 1 staff or volunteer to every 5 youth served in Clubs and 1 adult to every 8 children served in Classes.
Mutuality
A mutuality of sharing, giving and receiving is emphasized between those served and those serving. Acts 20:35
Faithfully represent Gods character
We seek to demonstrate the creative and exciting character of God and the love, joy, power, blessings and victory we have in Christ effectively and faithfully in programs. In this way we aim to honor our creator and see young people genuinely drawn into the kingdom. As an organization we are committed to the highest standards of integrity in all that we do. Matthew 5:16
Ensure solid spiritual commitment
We aim to communicate the message of redemption clearly and accurately, in the power and leading of Holy Spirit, so that when decisions for Christ are made, they are solid and true. Matthew 13:8
Faithfully nurture disciples
We commit to ensure that souls birthed into the kingdom of God are covered by prayer and receive opportunity for effective nurture and training. Matthew 28:19-20
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Love in word and action
We demonstrate the love of Christ through meaningful relationships with youth and families served and provision of opportunity. In word, we share the truths of Christ, making known His gift of redemption and the power He offers to live a life of hope and blessing. James 2:14 Psalm 119:24
Emphasis on relationship
The work is approached in the context of faithful, consistent, long term relationships with youth and families, to build understanding and trust.
John 13:34-35
Empowered by prayer
We believe that no good work has spiritual power or life-giving, eternal results without the power of God infusing all that man does. We also believe there will be many obstacles to our service that can best be overcome by prayer. Prayer is a priority of all who serve. Ephesians 6:18 James 5:15 Psalm 20:7
Experiential learning
Active methods of learning are emphasized to make learning fun and effective for a media-saturated generation. Phil. 4:9
Solid behavior management
Firm boundaries, in the context of respect, patience and unconditional love, are maintained in club meetings and classes. Consequences assist youth in learning and problem solving and avoid punitive measures. Ephesians 6:4 Proverbs 13:24 Hebrews 12:6
Well equipped staff
Full-time staff have a call to youth work and missions and are formally equipped through college education and a qualified missions school. All volunteers receive training to work with an at-risk population. II Timothy 2:2 Matthew 5:14 II Timothy 2:15
These priorities guide all that we do in Clubs In The City ministry.
Core Values
Sheri
Sheri holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Work, with Biblical education through Columbia Int'l University, and intensive Missions training through University of the Nations specializing in Urban Ministry, Christian Community Development, Racial Reconciliation and Arts in Ministry.
Sheri Bedsole
Founder
Pamela Hooks, Chair
Sheri Bedsole
Board of Directors
Leadership
Joining Christ to serve lives at-risk
Statement of Faith
1. We believe that there is only one true God. He is the sovereign Creator of all that is, He is eternally existent and is known to us as three distinct persons, being God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God made man for fellowship with Himself, and intended that all creation should live to the praise of His glory. God reveals Himself and His will to all mankind through His creation, the conscience of man, His Son and His written word.
2. We believe that the Bible is the written Word of God, divinely inspired and without error in its original manuscripts and that it is the sole authority for all matters of Christian belief and practice. The Bible is not to be added to, superseded, or changed by later tradition or extra-biblical revelation. Every proclamation that professes to be a word from God must be put to the test of the full counsel of God in the Holy Scriptures.
3. We believe in God the Father, the source and end of all, infinite in power and wisdom, perfect in holiness and love.
4. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He was fully God and yet fully man. We believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, that He is the only begotten Son of God, and that He lived a perfect, sinless life only to suffer and die upon a cross for the sins of all people. His death was a substitutionary death as He paid the price for our sins that we should have paid. He was buried, and on the third day He arose again in a bodily resurrection. He ascended into heaven to Gods right hand where He intercedes for His people and rules as Lord over all. We believe in His imminent visible return.
5. We believe in the person and deity of God the Holy Spirit, and that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential to the Christian life. The Holy Spirit convicts men of sin; persuades men to repent and confess Jesus Christ as Lord; empowers men to overcome sin and walk in unselfish love toward God and man, and enables believers to commune with God. We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers the believer for service and imparts gifts for the edification of the Body and the work of ministry in the world.
6. We believe that eternal life comes only through faith and trust in the work done by Jesus Christ upon the cross. This eternal life is available to every person called of God who will trust his/her lives to Jesus Christ. The final estate of man is that for the one who receives salvation there is everlasting life in the presence of God, and for those without salvation is everlasting separation and punishment because of their unbelief.
7. We believe that God created mankind (male and female) in His own image and that each human being is deeply loved of God and has God-given beauty, gifts, abilities, unique elements of personality, significance, purpose and potential for glorifying the Creator in his/her person. Man was tempted by Satan and rebelled against God. Thus all men are sinful by nature and in need of redemption.
8. We believe that angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve and worship God and to minister to people. Lucifer, the angel of highest rank, sinned through pride and thereby became Satan. Satan is the active enemy of God and of Gods people, opposing and exalting himself above God. Many angels followed Satan, some of whom became demons and are active as Satans agents in the world.
9. We believe in the Gospel, the message of Jesus Christ. It is the proclamation of His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of the Gospel, His victory over death and resurrection is the power of the Gospel and His ascension is the glory of the Gospel. We believe that the Gospel of Christ is to be preached to all mankind, and that those who believe should be baptized and discipled.
