Our History
Below is a brief overview of where Mission Year has come from.
Annual Reports
Every year Mission Year pulls together a complete review of our ministry activities and finances for the information of our supporters and other interested parties. Believe it or not, these Annual Reports are fun to read and filled with photos. Check ‘em out!
2006-2007 Annual Report (.pdf)- 2005-2006 Annual Report (.pdf)
- 2004-2005 Annual Report (.pdf)
- 2003-2004 Annual Report (.pdf)
- 2002-2003 Annual Report (.pdf)
- 2001-2002 Annual Report (.pdf)
- 2000-2001 Annual Report (.pdf)
- 1999-2000 Annual Report (.pdf)
Timeline
1988
Bart and Marty Campolo founded a Christian Organization called Kingdomworks, dedicated to helping urban churches build strong relational youth ministries.
1991
Kingdomworks initiated an annual urban youth workers conference that ultimately became a major national event sponsered by Compassion International.
1995
Kingdomworks developed a three-year initiative called the Philadelphia Project for Youth Ministry, aimed at developing strong youth ministries in thirty local churches.
1996
Kingdomworks merged with the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education in order to start Mission Year. Founded in 1972 by Bart’s father, Tony Campolo, EAPE had already started a wide variety of missions programs, including Christian universities, schools, tutoring programs, and literacy centers in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the United States. By 1996, however, EAPE had spun off all of those programs as independent ministry organizations and was looking for a new challenge.
1997
In its first program year, 97- 98, Mission Year threw our first 30 Team Members into action in Philadelphia and Oakland.
1998
By 98 – 99, Mission Year added a Program Director and begun to put the program in order. Our 60 Team Members actually received two weeks of training to begin their service, and it showed.
1999
In the Spring of 1999, Mission Year itself was spun off EAPE as an independent ministry organization, moving headquarters to offices at 990 Buttonwood Street in Philadelphia, creating its own Board of Directors and Bylaws, and establishing its own distinct approach to urban neighborhood ministry. It was no small feat for our small staff to develop an entire non-profit organization on the fly, while keeping the program itself going strong. Happily, we were still long on vision and added teams in Chicago.
2000
As our teams labored on in their neighborhoods, doing the good works this ministry is all about, hitherto unheard of financial support began pouring in from new and old friends of our vision. In a matter of months, Mission Year went from being in very real financial trouble, to being in the best shape of its young life. Atlanta becomes the next Mission Year city.
2001
We doubled our efforts in marketing to recruit and deploy as many Team Members as possible in the years to come.
2002
The Oakland city director took a one year sabbatical and Mission Year continued to thrive in Philadelphia, Chicago and Atlanta. Due to popular demand and much interest, Mission Year Married was launched in Atlanta.
2003
With nearly 120 incoming Team Members in four cities, Mission Year was poised for a remarkable year of growth. Hoping to diversify our recruiting efforts, deepen our alumni sensitivity, and stream-line our overall efficiency, several new staff members were added to the Philadelphia office.
2004
After laying a solid foundation as President for 7 years, Bart Campolo decided to change roles within the ministry. The board of directors asked Mohan Zachariah to step into the role of President and as a result, in September, the official Mission Year Headquarters were moved out to Chicago. In September 2004, we placed 106 team members in Philadelphia, Oakland, Chicago & Atlanta.
2005
In March 2005, Mission Year headquarters moved into 2520 S. Western Ave. in the Pilsen community of Chicago. With all new office staff in Chicago and two new City Directors in Chicago and Philly, Mission Year has a new look ans is carrying on the movement of mobilizing young people into action with almost a hundred new Team Members serving in our four cities this year.
2006
Transition seems to always be a part of Mission Year. In 2006, Mohan steps down as President, and Leroy Barber rises to the challenge. With this change the Mission Year office moves for the third time to Atlanta. Despite all of this transition, Mission Year launches some new and innovative programs and partnerships, including an Alumni program in the Gulf Coast region. With a renewed focus on our call and mission, Mission Year hopes to continue loving people in the name of Jesus.
2007
Growth describes Mission Year in 2007 as we have added new staff, new cities, and new programming to our repertoire. Our new administrative staff, city directors, recruiter, and development staff are all in place to complement the work of our team members. This year we have young adults serving in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Camden as well as Wilmington, NJ and New Orleans. Our two new cities are off to a great start and we’re excited about the work our team members are doing there. This is also the first full year of our partnership with Eastern University in which team members and alumni are earning their MA or MBS in Urban Economic Development.
10 Years of Mission Year
During our 10th anniversary of Mission Year we compiled some numbers that show God’s faithfulness and grace.
- Over 800 Mission Year Alumni
- 60+ Church partners
- 1 million+ Service Hours
- 300,000+ Outreach Hours
Where to Go Next...
Those that join us in the work of Mission Year.
The behind the scene crew of Mission Year.
Interact with articles posted by staff and team members.
