Transforming battlegrounds into

playgrounds.

IN THE TRENCHES
www.mlfonline.org Spring 2019

A LETTER FROM OUR CEO: Mentors Matter Most

The Urban Summit this year, saw record attendance. What started as a way to bring To equip and empower
non-profit, urban ministries and churches together for some training and fellowship
back in 2010 has now become one of the premiere urban ministry conferences in the
grassroots urban leaders
city. From the get go, MLF collaborated with Memphis Center for Urban Theological to transform lives and
Studies (MCUTS) that MLF birthed in 2000 to sponsor this event. Now, nine years communities in Memphis.
later we have more collaborators...The Collective, Advance Memphis, Economic
Opportunities, and Hope Works to name a few. Our host this year was Mississippi
Boulevard Christian Church. Their staff and volunteers were outstanding servant -Mission of the Memphis
leaders the entire weekend. Leadership Foundation
Our 2019 theme focused on “opportunity youth,” those young people between ages
of 18 and 24 who are either unemployed, underemployed and out of school. Not only
did we hear from great speakers and panelists but we also identified concrete ways MLF is a nonprofit organization
for individuals with resources to engage with this demographic. From one of the pan-
that empowers and equips grass-
el discussions comprised of entirely of “opportunity youth” the need for mentors was
overwhelmingly communicated. Each panelist highlighted the impact a mentor made roots urban leaders to transform
on their personal journeys to becoming more than they once thought of themselves. lives and communities in Mem-
If you would like to consider engaging as a mentor, please give us a call and we’ll phis. We strive to empower and
work on getting you involved in this very important work. equip urban under-resourced

One of our key functions at MLF is bringing people of faith and goodwill together to men, women, and children
help build “playgrounds” in our city, a metaphor for a city that is flourishing. With through creative, effective, and
some 30-to-40,000 “opportunity youth” in Memphis, you can see how important men- innovative ministry and leader-
toring is for this group of neighbors. We must do better by these young people if our ship. We are the largest member
city is going to move forward...there are far too many that are losing hope for a bright
of the global network of Local
future. I do hope you can engage in this area.
Leadership Foundations (LLFs),
organizations like us working to
Best Wishes,
transform the cities in which they
-Dr. Larry Lloyd
operate.

New Leader, but Still God’s Plan

For The Kingdom Camp and Retreat Center was birthed by The Memphis Leader-
ships Foundation in 2000 in response to a couple’s desire to see inner city young In This Issue
people have an affordable summer camping experience right here in Memphis. FTK
• Letter from our CEO
would like to introduce it’s new Executive Director, Torrey Bates. Mr. Bates comes to
Memphis from Lawrenceville, GA. with his wife and family of 8. • Urban Summit Update
He began serving God at 18, and hasn’t slowed down yet. Torrey is a former scholar-
athlete, national championship coach, and ordained minister. As a vessel of God, • Latest News
he’s been used to empower thousands of opportunity youth to become who God
• Ministry Spotlight —The
designed them to be despite life’s unfortunate circumstances. Be on the lookout for
Immigration Project
more about Torrey and the work he’s leading at For the Kingdom.
(TIP)
Visit: ftkmemphis.com for camp and retreat information.
 A Word of
Thanks
The Memphis Leadership Founda-
tion would not be able to success-
fully impact the city without the
tireless support of others within our
community and beyond. We’d like
to thank:

Michael Rhodes, Sarah Lockridge-

Steckel, Vonesha Mitchell, Michael
Phillips, Larry Lloyd, and a host of
sponsors and more who worked to
make the Urban Summit 2019 a
Urban Summit 2019 success.
Latest News

This year's Urban Summit on economic justice and inclusion for young
adults was the most impactful yet. We had over 430 attendees, 27 vendors
and through our partnership with Epicenter, have leveraged $12,475 in 0%
loans for new businesses.

During the summit we arrived at six ways we can create a more just and
inclusive economy for all our city's young adults.
1. Become an Ally for Young Adults
2. Advocate for Young Adults in Workplaces Where You Have Influence
3. Support Minority-Owned Businesses and Social Enterprises as a
Customer and an Investor
4. Lobby for Better Systems for Young Adults
5. Get Involved with Adult Education
6. Look for Ways to Listen to Young Adults
The Memphis Leadership Foundation was hopeful to have challenged and
The MLF is a proud member of a
encouraged all who attended the Urban Summit to take what they learned
Global Network of Leadership
and to put it into action.
Foundations.

Support MLF
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In 2013, Rondell Treviño, Founder of The immigration Project, reconnected with

Ministry Spotlight:
his now wife, Laura Treviño, while she was in El Salvador–after she recently
spent a year studying in Memphis.
After they married, Rondell went back to the United States to figure out what to do
in order to get Laura to the United States. During Rondell’s research on Immigra-
tion and petitions, God began to reveal the broken Immigration system to Rondell,
his own history as a Mexican, and all of the devaluing injustices Immigrants face
in and outside of the United States.
Through God’s preparation and the Immigration journey for his wife, Rondell
launched The immigration Project (TiP) in February of 2017, as a faith-based
organization that inspires the Church to view Immigration and love Immigrants the
way God intended. In January of this year, The Memphis Leadership Foundation
adopted The Immigration Project as one of it’s core ministry affiliates.

An interview with Rondell Trevino, What specifically is TiP’s approach to

Founder and Executive Director of addressing the challenges immi-
The Immigration Project (TIP). grants face?
We work to address these challenges
Why should Immigrants and
by equipping churches and church lead- Rondell Trevino, Founder
Immigration matter to the church?
ers with the necessary tools to love im- makers; to see the immigrant communi-
In I Corinthians 12, Paul writes about
migrants the way God intended. We ty as a community of people worth digni-
Unity and Diversity in the Body, the
conduct trainings in a one-on-one set- ty, respect, and support. The immigrant
church. We are one body of which each
tings or with entire groups and congre- community desires to be heard. Lis-
of us is an interdependent part. When
gations. We advocate for and with immi- tening to the experiences of our broth-
one part suffers—as many undocument-
grants affected by injustice. We’ve writ- ers and sisters in the immigrant commu-
ed brothers and sisters are, as individu-
ten over 100 articles and reach more nity, as well as what the Bible has to
als are forced into the shadows and
than 13,000 subscribers with content teach us about engaging with the for-
families are divided by current laws—
that encourages engagement with the eign-born is a great way to establish
every part suffers. It is our belief that
issue of immigration. We create curricu- and incorporate a discipleship relation-
just as poverty, homelessness, sex-
lum for churches and will soon launch a ship. Serve and Evangelize. While
trafficking, and a litany of other areas of
podcast. many immigrants bring a vibrant faith
brokenness is a matter on God’s Heart,
so is immigration and immigrants. Addi- How has the local community em- with them, others may encounter the
tionally, there are many needs in immi- braced TIP? Do you partner with gospel for the first upon entering the
grant communities that local churches existing organizations? United States. Immigration provides a
can help to meet. Churches can provide We’ve partnered with Memphis Center missional opportunity to make disciples
English language instruction, academic for Urban Theological Studies of all nations—right on our doorstep.
and mentoring support for youth, and (MCUTS), Lancaster Bible College, and Become a Champion. As a newer or-
affordable legal services to name a few. Mid South Christian College to provide ganization, we are in need of champions
scholarships for DACA recipients” and of our organization who would be willing
“undocumented students” brought to the to donate to us in order to help us ac-
The Immigration Project U.S. as young children and babies with- complish and further our mission. .
out any choice in the matter.
(TiP) equips the Church The Immigration Project is thankful for
How can those inspired by TIP’s MCUTS, The Acts 17 Initiative, Boarder
to embrace a biblically
vision and purpose help? Perspective, Mid-South Christian Col-
balanced approach to lege, and the Memphis Leadership
There’s a multitude of ways churches
Immigration that shows and individuals can help. First by be- Foundation as partners in this great
compassion to Immi- coming a prayer partner with TIP. work.

grants while respecting
the rule of law.
-theimmigrationproject.com
Prayer for wisdom as churches and
individuals engage with the issue of
immigration. Prayer for immigrant com-
munities who often feel powerless.
Prayer for political leaders and policy
For more information, email
tip@theimmigrationproject.com or call
(901) 220-6788.
Board of Directors Giving
- Honorable Chris Craft - Mr. Donnell Cobbins - Mr. Fred Davis Emeritus
Opportunities
- Mr. Jimmy Dickey - Mr. Findley Frazer - Dr. Charlotte Freeman The Memphis Leadership Foundation
relies on the donations and support of
- Mr. Fred Geyer - Mr. Jerry Harrington - Mr. Sam Holcomb others in order to invest in the city and its
- Mr. Ben Landess - Mr. Brandis Leverette - Mr. Will Levy
urban leaders. Ways you can give:

- Mr. Barry Maynard - Mr. Phillip Mischke - Mrs. Sally Pace • One Time Gift
- Mrs. Germaine Peterson - Mr. Charlie Powell - Mr. Dale Robinson • Recurring Gifts
• Gifts of Stocks
- Mrs. Sheley Taras - Mr. Bobby Wade - Mr. Daniel Walker
• Planned Giving
- Mrs. Morgan Walker - Mr. Earl Williams
For more information on ways to donate,
Leadership Staff please visit our website or contact our
Director of Development, Ramsay Clark,
- Dr. Larry Lloyd - Mr. Ramsay Clark at ramsay@mlfonline.org.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Director of Development
—————————
- Mr. Anthony Branch - Mr. Frank Cook WWW.MLFONLINE.COM/DONATE
Chief Operating Officer Chief Financial Officer —————————
- Mr. Shawn Taylor
Director of Finance MEMPHIS LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION
INVEST IN ORDINARY PEOPLE
@MemphisLeadershipFoundation @MemphisLF memphislf CAPABLE OF EXTRAORDINARY
For more information email us: ramsay@mlfonline.org LEADERSHIP

MEMPHIS LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION PLACE

STAMP
2400 Poplar Avenue HERE
Memphis, TN 38112

transforming battlegrounds into playgrounds

-Larry Lloyd, Founder and CEO