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!
2007-2008 Annual Report (.pdf)- 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 initiates an annual urban youth workers conference that ultimately becomes a major national event sponsored by Compassion International.
1995
Kingdomworks develops a three-year initiative called the Philadelphia Project for Youth Ministry, aimed at developing strong youth ministries in thirty local churches.
1996
Kingdomworks merges 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 throws our first 30 Team Members into action in Philadelphia and Oakland.
1998
By ‘98 – ‘99, Mission Year adds a Program Director and begins to put the program in order. Our 60 Team Members actually receive two weeks of training to begin their service, and it shows.
1999
In the Spring of 1999, Mission Year itself is 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. This is no small feat for our staff to develop an entire non-profit organization on the fly, while keeping the program itself going strong. Happily, we are still long on vision and add teams in Chicago.
2000
As our teams labor on in their neighborhoods, doing the good work this ministry is all about, hitherto unheard of financial support begins pouring in from new and old friends of our vision. In a matter of months, Mission Year goes 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 double our efforts in marketing to recruit and deploy as many Team Members as possible in the years to come.
2002
The Oakland city director takes a one year sabbatical and Mission Year continues to thrive in Philadelphia, Chicago and Atlanta. Due to popular demand and much interest, Mission Year Married is launched in Atlanta.
2003
With nearly 120 incoming Team Members in four cities, Mission Year is poised for a remarkable year of growth. Hoping to diversify our recruiting efforts, deepen our alumni sensitivity, and streamline our overall efficiency, several new staff members are added to the Philadelphia office.
2004
After laying a solid foundation as President for 7 years, Bart Campolo decides to change roles within the ministry. The board of directors asks Mohan Zachariah to step into the role of President and as a result, in September, the official Mission Year Headquarters are moved out to Chicago. In September 2004, we place 106 team members in Philadelphia, Oakland, Chicago & Atlanta.
2005
In March 2005, Mission Year headquarters moves 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 and 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 add 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.
