What is Acts 2 Enterprise (A2E)?
Acts 2 Enterprise (A2E) is a strategic and holistic urban outreach initiative of the Michigan District, LCMS based on the work of Jesus and His disciples in the early church as recorded in the book of Acts:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42–47 NIV 1984).
The purpose of this intentional undertaking is for urban churches to reconnect with the communities in which they reside, evangelizing and discipling the cities with the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ.
A2E was originally created to bring help to one of the most challenging communities in our country—the city of Detroit. But challenges abound in other places as well. Cities such as Pontiac and Flint have high unemployment and even higher crime rates. Churches in these cities are beginning to implement ministry avenues to reach out to their communities. So A2E has grown, and we are now using what we learned in Detroit to benefit others in the state through initiatives such as Franklin Avenue Mission in Flint and St. Paul Community in Pontiac.
Acts 2 Enterprise partners with several entities to serve the Detroit community. Among those are: Detroit Public Schools Faith-Based Partnership (student mentoring); Hope Care Beyond (working with the ALICE population); POBLO and Wayne County Community College (offering 12 weeks of sewing classes); and, in another partnership with POBLO, facilitate ESL classes for new immigrants.
Each year we also hold an A2E Summer Sports Camp. Youth from the Detroit area attend a weeklong camp where they hear about Jesus, receive a meal, and learn various sports such as: Lacross, Basketball, Golf, Martial Arts, Cheerleading, Double Dutch, and more!
