Mt. Joy is an urban community-based church and is an integral part of the Southbridge community, one of the lowest resourced communities in the City of Wilmington. The mission of Mt. Joy United Methodist Church is to Worship God, Witness Christ through our love, service and evangelism, and go forth to Win Disciples of Jesus Christ. The vision of Mt. Joy is to serve as a bridge to wholeness in person and community. (Wholeness is caring about each person spiritually, emotionally, physically, financially and through education.)
Mt. Joy has recently utilized Mission Insight and Readiness 360, so is able to create this data driven strategy and project. In addition, the Pastor of Mt. Joy and other members have participated in developing the data driven Southbridge Neighborhood Action Plan. The Eden Project proposed here utilizes that data to create an informed strategy for how we will carry out our Mission and achieve our Vision. The Eden Project revives Mt. Joy’s Jubilee CDC as a nonprofit that can receive funding from multiple sources to carry out community development work in Southbridge, forms LLC for-profit entities that creates income streams to support the vision, maintains the spiritually focused purpose of tithes and offerings while also developing a Planned Giving Strategy. Revamping organizational structures and funding streams offers greater sustainability of the long term while more effectively implementing Mt. Joy’s vision and mission.