Because You Give: ESL

Because you give, CityRise is able to continue one of its longest-running ministries: English as a Second Language, or ESL. What began as an opportunity to help people learn English has become so much more—a place where people from around the world are welcomed, relationships are built, needs are met, and lives are pointed toward Jesus.

Over the past two years, 535 ESL students representing 34 different countries have walked through the doors of a CityRise campus to learn English. And the ministry reaches even farther through online classes, with countless additional students joining through Zoom. Every student brings a unique story, culture, family, and set of experiences, creating a beautiful picture of the nations God has brought right to our doorstep.

ESL is made possible each week by a dedicated team of more than 20 volunteers. These volunteers give their time and energy not simply to teach vocabulary and grammar, but to invest in people. As friendships develop and trust grows, conversations often move beyond the classroom and into the everyday challenges and joys of life.

That relational aspect is at the heart of what makes ESL such an important ministry. Students have received help navigating needs such as finding cancer treatment or accessing counseling resources. Others have simply needed someone willing to listen, encourage them, and pray with them. In these moments, the ministry demonstrates that caring for people means caring about the whole person.

Most importantly, ESL has become a place where many students and their families have encountered the gospel and come to faith in Christ. What begins with learning a new language can open the door to discovering the love of God and becoming part of a church family.

Because you give, CityRise can continue welcoming people from dozens of countries into a ministry where English is taught, relationships are built, needs are met, prayers are lifted, and the Gospel is shared. Your generosity helps create a place where people who may be far from home can find community—and where people from around the world can hear about the hope we have in Jesus.