Graffiti Community Ministry volunteers serve the community. A team of volunteers met for the 2023 Thanksgiving in the Park event and gave out free meals, blankets and winter gear in Lower East Side New York City. Photo Courtesy of Corrie Aune
A warm meal, a smile and an introduction to Jesus Christ — these are the pillars East 7th Baptist Church, affectionately known as “Graffiti Church,” leans on to meet the practical needs of the New York City community.
The church’s unique name, Graffiti Church, reflects its deep connection to the local community. When the ministry began in the early 1970s, their storefront was constantly covered in graffiti. Instead of fighting against this aspect of their surroundings, the congregation embraced it by incorporating Bible verses and messages of hope into the graffiti.
This “if you can’t beat them, join them” approach resonated with the local community, giving the church an identity that aligned with its mission of serving practical needs of the community while staying rooted in the good news of Jesus Christ.
Upside-Down Ministry
Initially, the focus of Graffiti Community Ministries was on meeting immediate needs through providing meals, clothing and other support, said Kareem Goubran, current lead pastor of Graffiti Church and director of Graffiti Community Ministries.
As the outreach center expanded its impact, Taylor Fields, founding pastor of Graffiti Church, “felt the community should have a worshiping body to provide ongoing spiritual support,” said Goubran.
A group of Graffiti Church members gathered in front of the graffiti-sprayed ministry community center. The storefront was first opened in the 1970s and instead of painting over the graffiti, the center decided to incorporate Bible verses in the art. Photo Courtesy of Graffiti Church
Graffiti Church operates under the unique idea of an “upside-down ministry” — a different approach to serving the community, Goubran said. Graffiti’s approach is to first focus on the tangible needs of the community and then grow the church afterward.
Goubran says to take the heart cries seriously; community outreach cannot be a second-hand thought. Dax Ramos, a member of Graffiti Church, reflects on how all kinds of people can be brought to Christ through this method of service.
“I love being a part of a community that is led by Jesus. We can have all walks of life, different backgrounds and just have Jesus in common.” Ramos said. “And that's enough.”
Show and Tell
In Matthew 25, Jesus says what one does for the hungry and those in need, one does to him. This passage is where Graffiti Church finds its conviction to serve the underserved communities of New York City.
Graffiti Church works through its outreach ministries to share the Good News of Christ. Goubran said the best way to share the Good News is to show it to them.
“When we were kids, you’d bring an object to show and tell,” Gobran said.
One can show people God’s love by feeding them a meal or giving them a warm piece of clothing opening up the opportunity to share Christ.
Community members receive free meals from Graffiti Community Ministries programs. Volunteers gathered for Graffiti’s Wednesday Night Meals, held each week, providing out warm meals, winter clothes and a night of fellowship. Photo Courtesy of Corrie Aune
The Ripple Effect of Service
Graffiti Church and their community outreach programs offer to meet the needs of the community by providing housing, clothing, warm meals, recovery programs and more. One of their programs, Free Lunch in the Park, is an opportunity to share meals and tell people who are struggling about Jesus, Goubran said.
Goubran shared a story of a current leader of Graffiti Church community. He once lived on the streets, experiencing homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse. The simple act of kindness of receiving a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with genuine care at the Free Lunch in the Park program marked a turning point of his transformation, Goubran said.
By experiencing the Christ-centered, radical kindness of the Graffiti Church community ministries, he is now a pillar of his community and helps to lead the very program that once helped him.
Ramos explains the significance of these unassuming, small acts of kindness.
“You might have changed somebody's day,” Ramos said. “Somebody could have been heading somewhere to a path of destruction that day that you could have averted, just by simply giving the sandwich or an ear to listen.”
Community volunteer prepares meals for people in need of a warm meal. Graffiti hosted a Christmas Celebration night dinner Dec. 2023 and welcomed community members in need to fellowship with them. Graffiti hosts weekly Wednesday Dinners for their community. Photo Courtesy of Corrie Aune
An Invitation to Serve
Graffiti Church continues to stand as a beacon of hope and service in its community. Graffiti Community Ministries extends an open invitation: “If you need to be served, come. If you don’t need to be served, come serve with us,” Goubran said.
Their mission is not just about providing immediate relief but about fostering a community where everyone can contribute to and benefit from the collective act of service.
Connect with Graffiti Church and learn more of their stories here.
Karen is a senior pursuing a degree in Multimedia Communications with a concentration in Journalism. Karen did not always know writing could be her career choice, but the Lord placed it on her heart to know that there is power in words. She believes that words can uplift, encourage, inform, create. She aims to use her words as an opportunity to bolster others up so they feel their stories are seen and heard.
