News

Today in Central Park, we met a girl named Lex, a freshman from Utah visiting NYC on fall break. We told her we were also on fall break, but here to tell people about Jesus. She said, “Oh, Jesus! I saw a group in Times Square with a ‘Jesus loves you’ sign!” and showed us a photo. She admitted she didn’t really know anything about Jesus, so we got to share who He is and how much He loves her. When we asked if we could pray for her, she said, “Yes! Yes! but I don’t know how to...

Yesterday was such a powerful reminder of how God goes before us and orchestrates every step. We began our day worshiping at Times Square Church, and at the end of the service, their entire prayer team surrounded us and prayed over our group before we headed out for ministry. As soon as we walked out the front doors, we looked up and saw another missionary—someone who’s actually staying at the same church we’re staying at in Brooklyn—doing street ministry right across the street...

We are now on our way to New York City for our 5th Annual Mission Trip. Throughout the week, our team will be sharing the love of Jesus through street evangelism in both Brooklyn and across the city. We ask that you please continue to keep us in your prayers—for guidance, protection, and boldness to share the gospel. Thank you for all the love and support that makes trips like this possible. We look forward to returning with stories of all that God has done. The Walk Youth...

What does the New Orleans mission trip mean to me? We are so incredibly grateful for everyone who helps make these mission trips possible. One story that really stood out to me from this week was about a woman named Denise. She was elderly and clearly in need of help, yet her spirit was full of joy. When she saw me, her face instantly lit up—she recognized me right away. I had actually met her last year and prayed with her then, so it meant the world to me to see her again. Her strong...

In Luke 10, Jesus visited Mary and Martha. Martha was busy with preparations, but Mary sat at His feet and listened. Jesus said she had chosen what was better. That picture came alive for us yesterday. At the laundromat and later at Cherokee Homes, we slowed down, prayed, and spent time with those in front of us. Along the way, God showed us how He weaves things together. Someone we met earlier in the day was unexpectedly connected to another person we prayed for later across town....

We Need Your Financial Support For 21 years, God has allowed us to operate with no salaries and no debt—something almost unheard of in the nation. We say this humbly: we are not aware of another organization our size that has done this. Sacrifice starts with us. Our students also live that out—helping prepare, clean, and serve so ministry happens without staff. Because of these sacrifices, nearly every dollar given goes to ministry, discipleship, and missions. This year...

Celebrating 9 Years of Building 229! Nine years ago, The River Church entrusted Building 229 to 1NeedNow, Inc. (The Walk Youth Group). This building’s story stretches back more than six decades—built in 1960 by Temple Baptist, passed to The River in 2007, and gifted to us in 2016. Though these churches weren’t formally connected, they were bound by a shared faith in Jesus and trust in His Kingdom work. Generations before us prayed, served, and gave faithfully, not knowing how God...

Yesterday, our students showed up and worked hard for nearly four hours to help us get ready for our 21st year of ministry. They moved couches and bunks to sweep and vacuum underneath, organized the game and t-shirt cabinets, deep-cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms, filled soap dispensers, moved mattresses and carpets, and even hauled off junk to the dump. It was amazing to see their hearts to serve—no complaints, just a willingness to do whatever needed to be done. We’re so grateful for...

This ministry exists because people like you make it possible. As we begin our 21st year, we’re stepping into one of our biggest seasons yet—monthly local outreach, 4 major mission trips (San Francisco, NYC/Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and New Orleans), and another life-changing week at BigStuf. Because of your generosity over the years, students have met Jesus, served boldly, and learned to love others the way Christ loves us. Your giving has helped shape a generation—and it’s still...

One of the things we’re most grateful for in our ministry is the culture of service our students have embraced. Whether it’s a youth event at Building 229, a mission trip, or preparing for Bigstuf, they consistently show up not just to attend—but to serve. Recently in New Orleans, we watched them go above and beyond. They didn’t just straighten up—they thoroughly cleaned every room, like the deep cleaning a whole family does before hosting Thanksgiving. They pulled everything...

Thank you to everyone who donated sport chairs for our New Orleans mission trip. Because of your generosity, we were able to give out dozens of chairs to individuals who had been sitting on crates, cardboard, or the pavement. These chairs weren’t just practical—they were reminders that someone sees them, values them, and cares. One moment that will stay with us happened beneath a tree. After grabbing lunch, our group was heading back toward street ministry when we noticed a man...

Today we walking around City Park and we met a woman named, Rhonda. She was a woman struggling with addiction. As we prayed for her, I felt the Lord prompting me to give her a hug. She melted into my arms. A little while later, I ran into her as she was sitting on a bench. She saw me watching our kids interact with another woman and she said: “I don’t remember the last time someone wasn’t afraid to hug me,” she said. “I know I smell. I know I have sores all over me from the...