You are undoubtedly aware that this is a time of disruption and uncertainty for the people of Minneapolis, which includes our families. For some, this unsettling situation comes on top of already challenging circumstances. The Hope family is pulling together with compassion because “when one member of the body suffers, all the members suffer with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Our plans are built on a commitment to our families and to promote the safety, flourishing, and learning of our students. We believe this happens best when students are surrounded by teachers and staff who care deeply for their spiritual health and academic growth—here at school. Classroom learning and deep family connections remain our primary focus.

We are exercising a moment-by-moment, radical dependence on God and His Word to guide us through this time—trusting that God’s power at work within us goes beyond all that we could ask or imagine.

If God is calling you to help encourage Hope families during this unstable time, here are three ways you may come alongside us:

• Pray. Pray that God’s peace would pervade Hope Academy so that our families, students, and teachers can focus and thrive, ensuring that education is not interrupted. Additionally, please ask the Lord to guide Hope Academy's leadership with clarity and wisdom.
• Give. Many of you already generously support our students, helping to provide them access to a remarkable, Christ-centered education. We couldn't be more grateful! However, when our students, families, or staff face challenges on a broad scale, we open our Hope and Help Crisis Relief Fund as an extra opportunity to provide short-term, emergency assistance. These funds help stabilize homes so children can remain focused on learning and staff can continue serving our mission. Every dollar goes directly toward meeting urgent needs with compassion, discernment, and wise stewardship allowing us to live out Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens.”
• Share. Our mission to serve students and families in Minneapolis is ongoing. If you know others who care deeply about the education of inner-city youth, simply share this link: Why Give | Hope Academy

Our goal is that each member of the Hope Academy community feels loved and cared for—knowing they are not alone. Thank you for being part of this amazing family. We thank God for you.

Dear friends,

I have been deeply touched and sincerely blown away by the many messages of encouragement and compassion that have been expressed towards our church and our community. I am very grateful to them. At the same time, I want to be honest with you: I'm just a trench soldier. I do not have the ability to coordinate or fully utilize all the resources and people who have generously offered to help.

That being said, I would like to share some simple, meaningful ways you can put that compassion into action, right where you are.

One of the most powerful things you can do is meet people around you who don't look like you. Twenty years ago, walking around my neighborhood with my kids, I decided to introduce myself to the house of a Somali neighbor named Elmi, who lived just five houses down from mine. I knocked on his door, told him I was his neighbor, and he immediately recognized me and invited me in. He told me he had been a university teacher in Somalia, but had to flee the war in his country.

About ten minutes later, my wife came looking for me —Wives always know where their husbands are—. She knocked on the door, introduced herself, and was invited through, too. After some conversation, Elmi told him that she was the first "American" to visit his house. Sure, there were cable techs, inspectors and other people, but only for work. She was the first person to walk in just to meet them.

I've shared this story in many places and time again I get a similar response from white people: other immigrants have told them exactly the same thing. Being white in America is often an open door to immigrant communities. Immigrants deeply value that someone knows them, welcomes them and treats them like neighbors. Also, it is an extraordinary opportunity to share the gospel of peace through presence and relationship.

That's why my first recommendation is simple: know your neighbors. Many people have written to me from different parts of the country offering their help. I would encourage you to help starting where you are: introduce yourself to your neighbors, reach out to the pastors of immigrant churches in your area, meet the parents of your children's schoolmates. The opportunities are endless.

For those living in Minnesota, I want to recommend a pastor hispanic who is doing an amazing job providing pantries to hundreds of homes every day: Pastor Sergio Amezcua – 612-716-0273 (DHH Church).

If you want to gift pantries to the Spanish community, I recommend you buy them in Spanish stores. Although we all need to eat, we don't all have the same tastes or the same basic foods. A good friend of mine owns a supermarket and, when it's explained to him that the purchases are for donation, he usually offers a good discount, as he does with me. His name is Daniel Hernandez owner of Colonial Market – 612-483-0742.

Another important way to support the migrant community is eating at ethnic restaurants. Many of these businesses are watching their livelihood disappear, not because of lack of effort, but because their regular customers are afraid to step out. A friend of mine, Miguel, owner of the restaurant La Hacienda, shared with me that they are not only losing income, but they have also had to reduce the hours of their employees due to the lack of customers. Eating at these places is a very concrete act of solidarity.

You can also financially support the ethnic churches in your neighborhood. This past Sunday, several churches closed their doors due to the real fear that exists in their congregations, including the fear of some pastors. We decided to have our Sunday service, but the attendance was only 25% of the usual.

Finally, if after all this anyone still wants to support our congregation directly, I have included a picture with three ways you can give and partner with us.

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. May God hear every of your prayers and answer with mercy.

With gratitude and hope,

Pastor Joel Ramirez