Denver faith-based organizations serve the community and aim to make a positive impact— whether it be providing food and shelter or offering education.
Here are 20 faith-based non-profit organizations in the greater Denver metro area. You can refer to these when you're looking to volunteer, donate, or learn more about their work:
1. Officers Christian Fellowship of the United States of America
The Officers Christian Fellowship (OCF), an Englewood-based organization, aims to equip military leaders for Christlike service. It has three main programs of focus. These are its conference centers, general ministry, and field ministry.
OCF's conference centers provide training and ministry to families and youth. Meanwhile, its general ministry focuses on providing communication media.
As for their field ministry, it aims to empower cadets and midshipmen to be followers of Christ. This is through Bible study, discipleship, retreats, and other activities.
(Photo by Filip Andrejevic from Unsplash)
Military men marching toward service.
2. Youth for Christ
Youth for Christ (YFC) is a Christian organization with a chapter in Englewood. Its mission is to reach young people and raise them as Christ's lifelong followers.
YFC based its work on the idea of three overlapping stories. These are the story of God, the story of the young person, and the story of YFC.
When these three stories intersect, it creates an environment of friendship, trust, and transformation.
3. Dare 2 Share Ministries
Dare 2 Share Ministries (D2S) is a Christian non-profit organization of Pastor Greg Stier, founded in 1991 in Arvada. Its goal is to advance the Gospel and make disciples among today's youth. D2S equips the youth to build Gospel Advancing Ministries and trains them to share their faith.
The tragic events of the Columbine High School shooting in Littleton inspired the creation of the group. This event prompted Stier to resign from his pastorate and pursue his role at D2S full-time. Since then, the organization has affected the lives of thousands of teens across the country.
(Photo by Papaioannou Kostas from Unsplash)
A youth group sharing to each other their stories of faith.
4. Seeds of Hope of Northern Colorado
Denver-based The Seeds of Hope aims to cultivate minds and hearts for Christ by providing scholarships and tuition assistance for families who desire a quality, faith-based education. Its goal is to make it possible for families to send their children to Catholic schools.
The assistance provided by Seeds of Hope has varied over the years. This is from need-based scholarships to school grants for technology upgrades or building repairs. Since its start in 1996, the organization has provided more than 23,900 scholarships.
5. Mercy Housing Management Group
Denver-based Mercy Housing Management Group (MHMG) started its operations in 1992. The organization provides property management services to properties that serve people. These individuals have difficulty accessing quality and safe housing options due to their economic situation.
MHMG oversees the property managers, resident services staff, maintenance staff, and other employees. This is to ensure that residents are living in an environment that improves their economic status, transforms neighborhoods, and stabilizes their lives.
(Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya from Unsplash)
A man handing over a model of a house.
6. Christian Home Educators of Colorado
The Parker-based Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC) works to protect the rights of families to homeschool with confidence.
CHEC believes that families should be able to honor Christ by having control over their children's education and being free from government intervention.
That said, they help parents teach the next generation of Christians. This is by providing them with resources, information, and leadership.
Since 1990, they have been serving homeschoolers in Colorado and worldwide. This is through training conferences, seminars, publications, legislative work, and more.
7. Mahibere Kidusan Coordinating Center
Mahibere, located in Aurora, focuses on serving the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The center's objectives include renovating historical churches, traditional schools, libraries, and monasteries to establish permanent income-generating projects.
Mahibere also provides scholarships to students and teachers for religious services. Moreover, it aims to educate the public about the teachings and practices of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church through various forms of media.
(Photo by Daniel McCullough from Unsplash)
An architect working on the floor plan for the renovation of a building.
8. Hines Ugandan Ministries
The Littleton-based Hines Ugandan Ministries (HUM) started its operations in 1999. HUM ministers to the spiritual, physical, and practical needs of widows and orphans in an eastern Uganda village. Its goal is to provide children with education, medical care, and spiritual guidance and to help them grow up knowing they have eternal life in Christ.
HUM has provided services to over 500 children through sponsorship. This includes primary education, vocational and university training, and spiritual guidance through AWANA Bible Clubs.
9. Joshua Nations International
Established in 2007, Joshua Nations is an organization led by Dr. Russ and Lana Frase in Arvada. The group holds training and prepares the next generation of church leaders. Its main objective is to give men and women a solid foundation based on the Word of God.
Through a series of fortunate events, the organization was able to secure the necessary curriculum, international contacts, and funding to expand its reach to different countries.
(Photo by Joel Muniz from Unsplash)
Two women reading the Bible.
10. Christ in the City
Christ in the City is a Catholic non-profit organization based in Denver, established in 2011. It strives to create a culture of encounter where each person is seen, known, and loved.
The organization has four pillars of formation: spiritual, intellectual, human, and apostolic. The spiritual pillar focuses on deepening the relationship with Christ through personal prayer, Mass, and spiritual direction. Meanwhile, the intellectual pillar involves taking courses from the Augustine Institute and the University of Mary.
On the other hand, the human pillar emphasizes community life and accountability in becoming saints. The apostolic pillar involves teams of three walking the same street routes and befriending the homeless.
As trust is built, they accompany them to appointments and social activities. This friendship can often be a turning point in restoring the sense of self-worth.
11. Association for Christian Conferences, Teaching, and Service
The Association for Christian Conferences, Teaching, and Service (ACCTS) is an organization that provides spiritual guidance and encouragement to military personnel around the world. It was established in 1972 by a group of Christian friends.
ACCTS now has contacts with military Christians in over 150 countries. It is engaged in the international military mission field. They train Christian military leaders and organize conferences and leadership programs. They also foster cross-cultural relationships, provide expertise, build relationships with military personnel, and give administrative support to the worldwide Association of Military Christian Fellowships (AMCF).
(Photo by Edwin Andrade from Unsplash)
People attending a leadership conference.
12. Forge / Kingdom Building Ministries
Forge in Aurora is an organization that aims to expand God's Kingdom. They challenge individuals to devote their lives to God and equip them to be active in the ministry.
They have three main areas of focus. These are the itinerant-speaking ministry, the resources ministry, and the experience ministry.
The itinerant speaking ministry involves speakers traveling to various events to challenge individuals to make spiritual decisions. Meanwhile, the resources ministry produces materials that help people access the messages of the speakers.
On the other hand, the experience ministry includes a young adult training program and a high-intensity training adventure for students.
13. Real Life Catholic
Real Life Catholic is an organization in Greenwood. Its purpose is to ignite a movement of Catholics. This is to share the beauty, power, and truth of the Gospel with a world that has forgotten.
Real Life Catholic also hosts live events that reach over 85,000 people per year. These events' central theme is the heart of the Gospel, reminding people of the love of God and their purpose in life.
The organization also provides digital access to powerful ideas, inspirational messages, and strategies for real, lasting transformation in people's lives. Additionally, it aims to create meaningful, faith-filled connections among believers and seekers.
(Photo by Kate Oseen from Unsplash)
Man watching an online sermon.
14. Catholic Health Initiative Colorado
Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) is a national nonprofit health organization based in Englewood, which was established in 1996 by merging four Catholic health systems.
Its purpose is to carry out the healing ministry of Christ by providing care for the sick and promoting the health of communities.
15. Denver Institute for Faith and Work
The Denver Institute for Faith & Work's mission is to form men and women who live with Christ. It also aims to bear witness to the gospel and serve the needs of the world.
DIFW has a leadership program called 5280 Fellowship. It is a nine-month program for emerging leaders in Denver. DIFW also has an educational resources program. This includes classes, a platform for learning, podcast downloads, a church partnership network, and vocational groups.
The organization also organizes public events. These are in partnership with local churches. Event topics are usually theology, work, calling, culture, and various professional industries.
(Photo by Kate Oseen from Unsplash)
Two women making a podcast talking about the gospel.
16. Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities of Denver is a non-profit social service organization founded in 1927. It serves as the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Denver.
Its mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and those in need. This is through affordable housing, early childhood education, counseling, emergency services, and more.
The organization works with various partners, such as corporate partners, local businesses, and other non-profits, to help tens of thousands of people in crisis.
17. Freedom in Christ
Freedom in Christ Colorado is a branch of Freedom in Christ Ministries (FICM-USA) in Knoxville, TN. Founded in 1989, its goal is to continue to help Christians find freedom in Christ and live by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Freedom in Christ uses the books Victory Over the Darkness and The Bondage Breaker by Neil T. Anderson as a basis for their teachings. But, the foundation of its ministry is God's Word.
18. Sacred Stones Ministries
Sacred Stones Ministries is a Christian nonprofit organization founded in 2014 in Denver. It is a ministry consulting group of United Methodist deacons.
It equips individuals and faith communities to connect more deeply with God, each other, and the world. They do so through consultations, developing resources for faith development, mission planning and implementation, communication in local churches, and mobilizing congregations for nurture, outreach, and witness.
19. Bridge of Hope Greater Denver
The Bridge of Hope calls churches into action and engages Christian faith communities in ending family homelessness. The organization provides rental and other forms of assistance to families in need.
That said, they have assisted 12 families with a total of 23 children. Three of them graduated from the program. Four received educational assistance, and ten families increased their income. Each family receives support from a volunteer community.
(Photo by Jon Tyson from Unsplash)
A volunteer offering help to a homeless during the Christmas season.
20. St. Catherine Residence
St. Catherine Residence is an organization that manages and directs a housing complex. This is so they could provide safe, affordable, and supportive housing to women. These may be those with limited income who have diverse talents and needs and wish to maximize their personal growth and employment opportunities.
They have provided general housing for over 250 women. They also have several programs under their belt.
One of them is the Right Start/Independent Living program. This is for young and unwed mothers. Another is the Next Step program for homeless women with disabilities.
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