Our City of Hamilton, Ohio
Because the gospel transforms individuals, it also transforms communities. We love our city and are actively seeking its renewal by making Hamilton our home and our mission field. Our hope is that God would use his church to revitalize his city.
About the City of Hamilton, OH
Hamilton has an honorable past, a weathered present, and a hopeful future. Founded in 1791 as a frontier fort along the Great Miami River, the settlement moved from a military outpost to an agricultural economy to an industrial powerhouse over the course of two centuries. Despite the city's success, the final stretch of the 20th century saw factories closing doors and businesses migrating to other locations.
The economic downturn set a cynical, pessimistic cloud over the city that is still felt today. If people don't already believe Hamilton is a ghost town, they usually agree that things are heading in that direction. Most people inside and outside the city have written off Hamilton as a stagnant community at best.
But there is a small and growing number of people who haven't thrown in the towel and are actually working to breathe life back into Hamilton. An ever increasing focus on the arts, rehabilitated residential space, city leaders who are willing to take risks, and small business owners reinventing empty store fronts are signs that Hamilton isn't on its deathbed. It's an exciting time to be a part of this city.
The Church's Role
While this is all well and good, what does it have to do with The Village? Well, everything. As residents and neighbors of the city, we should work for its welfare: volunteer, share ideas, be creative, collaborate, buy homes here, work here, play here, shop here, etc. We should put down roots, invest our time and energy, and put both the sacrifice and hope of Christ on display for the people of Hamilton.
As a collective body, we've lived this out by taking an old, unused portion of a former Moose Lodge downtown, overhauling the space, and using it for Sunday morning gatherings, studies, meetings, and other community events. We've helped Mercy Franciscan at St. Raphael's re-purpose their space to better serve their clients. In 2012 we'll be helping The Father's House renovate and prepare an Civil War-era orphanage to support local families who are fostering or who have adopted children.
God is in the business of bringing dead things back to life, and so should we. As excited as we are about the steps people are taking to rejuvenate the city, we know that God is the one who is pulling the pieces together and helping Hamilton thrive once more. Regardless of God's plan for our city, we know our role: to pray for its welfare, love its people, and labor hard for God's glory.
More Information
For more information on the City of Hamilton, visit their website or check them out on Facebook or Twitter. You can also sign up for e-Notify emails from the city for important announcements.
