Chattanooga Urban Ministries History
"Each One To Reach One" is the current call to action in the Community of Christ.  This same call to reach new
people is what brought about the Chattanooga Urban Ministries.

A few years ago, Jimmy Gately, an ordained minister, was living in East Tennessee. He was frustrated that
throughout East Tennessee there were so many churches and government programs available, yet there were so
many folks falling through the cracks and remaining in hard-core and hard-living lifestyles.  His desire was to
make a positive difference and change in the lives of the many heavily burdened and forgotten people of society.
Jimmy wanted to make a difference so strongly that he took out life insurance policies designating the proceeds
be used to help establish and outreach ministry to the bruised and brokenhearted people of East Tennessee.

Shortly after his untimely death a couple years later, the Community of Christ used the proceeds to lead the
efforts of organizing such a needed ministry. The Chattanooga Urban Ministries is a result of this effort and now
leads a neighborhood-based, helping hands ministry in East Chattanooga and other areas of Hamilton County,
Tennessee.

Today, there are several hundred people receiving a wide-range of assistance and life-improving ministries as a
result of these efforts each month. There are more than 300 people weekly participating in neighborhood worship
and community outreach activities. The ministry is focused on the hard-living and the hard-core lost. It is focused
on reaching out and making a strong positive impact on the poor and down hearted.

Inter-racial, inter-generational, and inter-denominational outreach is occurring daily. An old bank building has
been obtained to serve as a community center in an East Chattanooga neighborhood. A mobile home is being
rented to serve as a base for a children's community outreach ministry for mobile home parks in Hamilton County.
The average age of the current participants is this outreach ministry is 14.

There is three mottos used in this ministry. They are:

“Our Victory Lies in Our Invitation…. Invite daily”
“The Gospel is Not Just About Me”  
“If You Want Real Peace, Be a Worker for Justice.”

future growth and survival. The funding left from the Gately proceeds is nearly gone due to the rising cost of week.
Therefore, the many partners of this community outreach ministry are now trying to ease their funding week.
Therefore, the many partners of this community outreach ministry are now trying to ease their funding burden with
the Crumb Donor Program. A Crumb Donor makes monthly donations to keep this ministry alive and growing.
growing.