CRM Empowering Leaders

The Pico-Union District of Los Angeles isn’t the side you usually see featured in movies. There are no movie stars, no high-end shops or restaurants, and no beaches. For decades Pico-Union has been a primary port-of-entry for Mexican and Central American immigrants and refugees. The birthplace of two of North America’s most widespread Latino gangs, Pico-Union is now home to approximately ten street gangs in just over 1.5 square miles.

Koinonia L.A. was born in 2011 out of a love for the families and youth who make Pico-Union unique and wonderful, and a desire to see God’s light shine in the darkness. We are a small (but Lord-willing growing) missional community focused on sharing God’s love and truth with our neighbors, as well as partnering with leaders from the local church to pursue holistic, Gospel-based transformation in Pico-Union and beyond.

Some current ministry focuses areas include:

• Forming a community among the youth that is a Christ-centered alternative to gang involvement and/or substance abuse.
• Raising up leaders from among the youth to lead in projects which will better the community and expand the Kingdom.
• Building relationships with neighbors from multiple generations as we seek to share God’s love, and understand more fully our neighbors’ lives and culture.
• Partnering with the local church to raise up leaders for ministry in urban Los Angeles.
• Coordinating events/parties for the children in the neighborhood where the Gospel can be shared with children and their families, relationships can be birthed and strengthened, and community can form.
• Growing together in intimacy with God, each other and our neighbors.
• Establishing rhythms of prayer.

Use the links to the right to learn more about Koinonia L.A. and various opportunities for getting involved.

Stories from Los Angeles (Koinonia)

A Welcome Retreat

Not five minutes into the hike, J.D. slipped and ended up with a splinter in his finger. The pain started slow, then became excruciating. We stopped to remove the burrowing piece of thorn and, ten...