There’s something powerful about unity—when people, churches, and organizations lock arms not for personal gain, but for the good of others. In 2024, we witnessed what happens when that kind of unity takes root in a city.

Through Within Reach, hundreds of leaders said yes to collaboration, not competition. Thousands of volunteers stepped into neighborhoods, schools, and churches with servant hearts. And the result? A year marked by transformation, hope, and real momentum toward a flourishing future.

Written by Micah Eldridge

Psalm 133 gives us some insight into the spiritual significance of unity: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity… For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore” (v. 1, 3). 

God’s unique blessing is unleashed when God’s people are unified. 

At Within Reach, we believe in teams and if not for those listed, we’d never be able to deliver this comprehensive picture of what is true of our city today and a compelling vision of what can be when the people of Jesus work together so that the Omaha Metro might flourish. 

As we reflect on 2022 and prayerfully vision cast for 2023, I am convinced that as we, the people of Jesus, move from a spirit of unity toward a posture and practice of unity, that we can be an answer to Jesus’ prayer, “Our Father in Heaven…May your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” 

I believe that one of our highest callings as Jesus-followers is to share His dream for what is possible when the presence of God fills the place we call home.

“Prayer draws me to the source of perfect love, God Himself, and my soul finds rest in Him alone. (Psalm 62:1).” Written by Julie Eesley

The State of the City project exists to: identify the current demographic norms and trends of the Omaha Metro; reveal neighborhood history, values, and cultural tensions; discover the evangelistic/missional effectiveness of local churches; equip church leaders to be more informed, better connected, and fully engaged in evangelism efforts; and, provide strategic opportunities to address two to three of the unacceptable realities facing our city.

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. At Within Reach, we believe that when the people of Jesus show up, the Holy Spirit fills us up, so that we might rise up to carry out his calling in our lives.

As City Serve 2021 kicks off, let’s revisit the why behind what we do. Written from the perspective of those who have served in past City Serve weeks, here’s a glimpse into the stories of impact that we’ve experienced before. Featuring guest writers: Robyn Clay, Lara Ray, and Connie Bissen.

At Within Reach, we absolutely LOVE this time of year as we prepare for City Serve, an unforgettable week of partnership, compassion, and service.

In 2020, lives were transformed, churches were planted, neighborhoods were impacted, the elderly were visited, the vulnerable were protected, food was distributed, and leaders were mobilized.

“Your image was given to you by your Creator, which gives you inherent value and makes everyone you meet worthy of experiencing his honor through you." Miles McPherson

Simply naming and elevating where we see God moving, and how grateful we are to be part of his kingdom agenda ignites the heart and inspires the imagination to courageously move forward!

These stories, stories of ordinary amateurs being used by God to reach the world, can and should give you the vision to see that Omaha and the world as Within Reach.

How do we respond in the face of tragedy? How do we help in the face of heartache? The Scriptures provide countless examples for how Jesus calls his people to respond in moments like these so that we become a blessing and alleviate burden for our city and its leaders.

Over the days and weeks to come, we received countless comments and notes of gratitude: “Thank you for your support.” “You will never know how much it meant to receive your expression of support.” “It’s really thoughtful when others in our community understand the challenges we teachers will face this school year.”

In this season, I am reminded of the importance of our mission, “to give every man, woman, and young person the opportunity to say Yes to Jesus, that our city might be filled with the presence of Jesus.”

Due to recent COVID-19 developments and our anticipation of increased restrictions on gatherings across the state, including their impact on our host-site for the Citywide Summit, we will be rescheduling the Summit to Nov. 4, 2021.

Unlike any other time, the world needs leaders – ordinary women and men – who will embrace the call of Jesus to take the radical hope of Jesus to the places that we call home.

Many of us might balk at placing a paint brush into the hands of a young child; however, Jesus did just that. He took the world's greatest story, entrusted it into our hands, and commissioned us to take his Good News into all the world.

It's powerful to see what can be done when the church bands together, leaves the building, and blesses the neighborhood!

263 DAYS. That's how long it will have been since we, Within Reach, gathered IN PERSON as a network of church and city leaders! Which is why we are looking forward to joining you on Monday, October 5, from 11:30-1:00 at the Lifegate Papillion campus.

Imagine what could happen in our city if thousands of ordinary people banded together to unleash over ten thousand hours of extraordinary compassion on our streets and in our neighborhoods.

“My biggest concern during this time is for young people who are getting further behind in school. There is a chasm in our society that is growing. The kids who are already ahead are getting further ahead while the ones who are behind are getting further behind. This will continue unless the church steps into that chasm and does something about it.” Tim Keller

Jesus says pray for laborers. Don’t pray for the harvest, the harvest is plenteous. I’ve already done that, there’s plenty of people. But I need people that have a burden. I need laborers. I need people that want to work…We need to get up from the table, feasting, filling ourselves, providing for ourselves and get out in the field. I need people that are willing to go get in my field.

One of our joys at Within Reach is to help women and men across the Metro sharpen their leadership edge as they carry out their God-given calling and live out the mission of Jesus. Here are two opportunities in the next ten days that will help you grow and thrive and an influencer in the unique space or place God has called you to.

Hanging in my living room is a picture of a small, fragile plant sprouting up from a storm drain in the city where our family once lived. The image reminds me that life and beauty have a way of suddenly springing up from the most unlikely places, which gives me hope.

I can't wait, because I can't think of a better time than right now, with all of the disruption we've experienced so far this year, for us to learn how to lead better in the neighborhoods and communities in which we live, work, and play!

I recently sat down with three African-American friends and co-leaders in the Metro to tackle some of the important questions each of us should be asking around race, diversity, and justice. They graciously reminded me that the best way to learn is to listen, which is more important now than ever as our country shows signs of fracturing under the weight of this very conversation and the tragic events that have precipitated it.

At Within Reach, we are committed to raising up an emerging generation of leaders to live out their God-given calling by stewarding the day-to-day responsibilities and demands of leadership for the glory of God and the good of others.