Abstract
Black youth in urban America experience difficult challenges and multiple stressors in a continuing climate of racism, reduce life options, and hopelessness that threaten their optimal development. The article claims that, like the historical Black church, current congregations have an inescapable responsibility to provide ministries with and on behalf of these youth to assure their hope-bearing, life-giving present and future. Building on results of the 2009-2011Vision Quest study of youth ministry leadership in Black congregations and endeavors of the Youth Hope-Builders Academy at Interdenominational Theological Center, the article presents detailed descriptions of three dominant priorities, called the three C’s of urban youth ministry, for congregations and youth ministry leaders to undertake.