Mentor's Manual

14 For the Nex t Generat i on: The Urban Mi n i s t r y I ns t i tute ’ s Mentor Manua l

History of World Impact World Impact is a Christian missions organization committed to planting churches among America’s unchurched urban poor. Dr. Keith Phillips, Founder and President of World Impact Keith is the third child of Frank and Velma Phillips. Keith’s father, a veterinarian, organized some of Billy Graham’s first crusades and was a co-founder of Youth for Christ and World Vision. He was instrumental in bringing Korean War orphans to the United States (this later became the Holt Adoption Agency). As a freshman at UCLA, Keith began directing Youth for Christ clubs in the inner city of Los Angeles. The Inception of World Impact In 1965, Keith Phillips began a Bible club for children in Jordan Downs Federal Housing Project in Watts (Los Angeles). Before long, neighboring housing projects asked him to expand his ministry into their communities. As a result of speaking at BIOLA’s Chapel, 300 students signed up to help Keith. Soon, college students from Azusa Pacific University, Life Bible College, Pepperdine, USC and UCLA joined this outreach. Our Growth over the Years Our initial thrust was to children living in federal housing projects; hundreds accepted Christ. Soon, career missionaries moved into the inner city to make disciples and expanded our outreach to teenagers and adults.

World Impact, Inc.

Our Parent Organization:

• World Impact was incorporated in March, 1971.

• By 1972, we had opened ministries in Los Angeles, Wichita, Portland, Omaha and San Diego.

• In 1975, Keith wrote They Dare to Love the Ghetto . • In 1976, World Impact began ministries in St. Louis and Newark, and moved into our National Headquarters in Los Angeles. World Impact of Canada was incorporated.

• In 1977, our Fresno ministry began.