History
The first meeting of the 2003-2004 school year for the Greater Hartford Youth Network, started off like any other, with everyone updating on their summer and upcoming fall plans. One youth leader excitedly shared about how their church's youth group had just attended The Boston Project, and he shared his dream and excitement for an outreach of the same type in Hartford. This dream turned into a reality the following June (2004), when six churches, coming together as one group (70 youth and leaders total), to launch the first Hartford Project. Since then, God has been doing amazing things through the Hartford Project: bringing renewal to the brokenness of the city, encouraging his servants in Hartford, opening eyes to the needs around us, strengthening relationships in the Body of Christ and sharing a passion for God’s work in cities with many students and leaders!
2011 proved once again to be a great year of growth for The Hartford Project both spiritually and numerically as we saw 20 different church unite. In total, 380 youth and workers joined us that year as we lived, worshiped and served our city together. In 2012 due the the growth on the first 8 years we decided to run two separate weeks of The Hartford Project for the first time. We soon after joined Urban Alliance which has allowed us to strengthen our relationship and expand our opportunities to partner with many of their network participants who share a common passion for the city of Hartford.
In 2017 this collaboration of churches officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and has continued to expand it's programming. In addition to its two Summer Outreach Weeks, THP has added a FallServe weekend outreach, a Service Saturday in May, a Youth Advisory Board, and a youth leaders network - The Bridge.
We continue to be called together for a mutual purpose: to build disciples in and through the streets of Hartford. It is our expectation that as we serve in Jesus’ name that Hartford will be blessed, we will grow in faith, and God will be glorified. Pray with us to this end! We look forward to life-changing experiences for all of us, as we reach out together, with the amazing love of Jesus Christ.
2011 proved once again to be a great year of growth for The Hartford Project both spiritually and numerically as we saw 20 different church unite. In total, 380 youth and workers joined us that year as we lived, worshiped and served our city together. In 2012 due the the growth on the first 8 years we decided to run two separate weeks of The Hartford Project for the first time. We soon after joined Urban Alliance which has allowed us to strengthen our relationship and expand our opportunities to partner with many of their network participants who share a common passion for the city of Hartford.
In 2017 this collaboration of churches officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and has continued to expand it's programming. In addition to its two Summer Outreach Weeks, THP has added a FallServe weekend outreach, a Service Saturday in May, a Youth Advisory Board, and a youth leaders network - The Bridge.
We continue to be called together for a mutual purpose: to build disciples in and through the streets of Hartford. It is our expectation that as we serve in Jesus’ name that Hartford will be blessed, we will grow in faith, and God will be glorified. Pray with us to this end! We look forward to life-changing experiences for all of us, as we reach out together, with the amazing love of Jesus Christ.
Why Hartford?
First of all, Hartford is our capital and regional rallying point. As Christians, God has called us to do good wherever we are and it is our privilege to serve this local city. Consider these selections from Jeremiah 27 and Galatians 6:
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Secondly, Hartford has great needs. Although we live in one of the richest states in the country, Hartford was listed as one of the ten poorest cities in the nation during the early 2000s. Approximately one third of Hartford residents live below the poverty line. Tied into this bleak economic picture are many other social issues. As God’s people we have a specific call to care for those in need. Jesus has come to us in our desperation and weakness so we have a special love for those in distress. Consider these words from Jesus and the book of James:
"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
“Religion that our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Third, there is much that is good about this city. Hartford was founded as a city which would shine with God’s truth and grace and today there are believers still pursuing this vision. We will also learn about the good things that God has done and is doing in Hartford through those outside of the Christian faith. It is our desire to encourage and partner with those doing good in the city. Consider these words from the Apostle Paul:
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good”
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Secondly, Hartford has great needs. Although we live in one of the richest states in the country, Hartford was listed as one of the ten poorest cities in the nation during the early 2000s. Approximately one third of Hartford residents live below the poverty line. Tied into this bleak economic picture are many other social issues. As God’s people we have a specific call to care for those in need. Jesus has come to us in our desperation and weakness so we have a special love for those in distress. Consider these words from Jesus and the book of James:
"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
“Religion that our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Third, there is much that is good about this city. Hartford was founded as a city which would shine with God’s truth and grace and today there are believers still pursuing this vision. We will also learn about the good things that God has done and is doing in Hartford through those outside of the Christian faith. It is our desire to encourage and partner with those doing good in the city. Consider these words from the Apostle Paul:
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good”
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Sharing in God’s Call for Hartford
A plaque in front of the Hartford City Hall commemorates some “adventurers” who in 1635 came from a distant land to found what is now known as the city of Hartford. The ragtag group of sojourners looked to create a special place – a place where God’s glory would shine brightly to the whole world. A “city on a hill” was the phrase these Puritans used. Led by the Reverend Thomas Hooker, they made an agreement with God that if He would sustain them in this new land, they would establish a Christian city to His glory.
Almost 400 years later, we want to be a part of that initial vision…
Our hope is to join together with the Church of Jesus Christ in Hartford and throughout Connecticut to serve this city. The One who heard the prayers of Hartford’s founders is the same eternal God we are trusting to work today. He can do more through us than we can imagine or dream. Let’s go for it!
We pray that as you join with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in seeking the renewal of Hartford that you will be transformed. May you be filled with the love of Jesus that led him to come and give himself. May your heart rejoice over all the good that you see and break over the same things that break our Heavenly Father’s heart. May we find ourselves increasing filled with the Holy Spirit as we open ourselves to be vessels of his love.
Almost 400 years later, we want to be a part of that initial vision…
Our hope is to join together with the Church of Jesus Christ in Hartford and throughout Connecticut to serve this city. The One who heard the prayers of Hartford’s founders is the same eternal God we are trusting to work today. He can do more through us than we can imagine or dream. Let’s go for it!
We pray that as you join with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in seeking the renewal of Hartford that you will be transformed. May you be filled with the love of Jesus that led him to come and give himself. May your heart rejoice over all the good that you see and break over the same things that break our Heavenly Father’s heart. May we find ourselves increasing filled with the Holy Spirit as we open ourselves to be vessels of his love.