Connectional Opportunity: Project Transformation
Based on a model founded in 1998 in the North Texas Conference, Project Transformation Oklahoma launched in 2002 to address three unique challenges with one program: 1) how to meet the academic, physical, social-emotional, and spiritual needs of children from low-income communities, 2) how to provide meaningful ways for college-age young adults to explore ministry opportunities and develop as young principled leaders for the church and the world; and 3) how to help revitalize churches in underserved communities.
Children – College students – Churches. This is a win-win-win formula, and relationships are at the heart of everything Project Transformation does, for it is through relationships that lives are transformed.
The mission of Project Transformation is to engage young adults in purposeful leadership and ministry, support children in holistic development, and connect churches with communities.
Project Transformation’s collaborative model of ministry harnesses the creative energy and leadership of 56 college age young adults, who lead literacy-focused programs for over 500 children in eight Oklahoma communities each summer. The programs are held at United Methodist churches located in the heart of low-income neighborhoods, thereby helping those churches connect in meaningful ways with their communities. Dozens of other churches and organizations throughout Oklahoma partner together to support this work, investing in these young lives with their time and resources.