Hendrik & Judy De Boer

Hendrik & Judy DeBoer are serving in the mission field in Oakland, the eighth largest city in California, which is separated from San Francisco by the Bay Bridge. This city, 60 square miles in area, had a 2000 urban population of 399,484. The city has a high percentage of nontraditional families, 33 percent of which are single-parent households. It is one of the most ethnically diverse and integrated cities in America. At least 81 languages and dialects are spoken with as many as 7 languages on one block.

Oakland is undergoing a major ethnic transformation. The Caucasian population is steadily declining; the African-American population is increasing slightly; the Asian and Latino populations are increasing dramatically.

The city is divided economically between the flatlands (urban poor) and the hills. A fire destroyed much of the hill affluence in 1991. This is being rebuilt more rapidly than the damaged area from the 1989 earthquake in the flatlands. East and West Oakland are divided by Lake Merritt and the downtown area.

World Impacts ministry is in West Oaklands Prescott community, a low income area struggling to recover from the Loma Prieta earthquake. Unemployment, homelessness, drugs, and crime are part of the daily life of the Prescott community.

World Impact owns two duplexes in West Oakland. They are two blocks apart and offer opportunity to minister to African-Americans, Spanish-speaking people, and Cambodians. The house on Campbell Street is across from Prescott Elementary School and Campbell Village.

Volunteers and interns assist in the after-school and summer activities. Bible teaching, sports, music, computers, crafts, cooking, games, piano lessons, tutoring, and a reading club are a regular part of the program for kindergarten through eighth grade. Adult Bible study and teen club are just beginning. The basketball court at the Campbell Street house is a daily attraction for the neighborhood children.

There is a need for more career staff. Interns--especially Spanish-speaking--are welcome. Housing is available for single staff or a married couple.

For more information, please contact Hendrik at the address or telephone number listed below.

Hendrik & Judy DeBoer
World Impact
PO Box 24452
Oakland, CA  94623

Tel: (510) 763-0352
Fax: (510) 663-4664