UrbanPromise International
About Us: History & Mission
The mission of UrbanPromise International is to prepare emerging leaders to initiate, develop, and sustain Christian-based youth development organizations and to seed their new ministries as they serve vulnerable children and teens in our world’s most under-resourced communities.
A FEW WORDS FROM BRUCE
Bruce Main: Founder & President of UrbanPromise
Thirty years ago the vision and mission of UrbanPromise was conceived in a dusty church basement in East Camden, NJ. A small group of college-age missionaries created a summer camp for neighborhood children--providing a safe, loving, fun, and creative place for local youth to escape dangerous city streets.
Since 1988, the UrbanPromise model has been replicated in other cities in North America including Vancouver (British Columbia), Toronto (Ontario), and Wilmington (Delaware). In 2003, the model was replicated in Malawi, Africa when William Nyasulu established YouthCare.
In 2008 UrbanPromise International was established to formalize this replication process and provide the supports necessary for the model to be used in other communities.
Since 1988, the UrbanPromise model has been replicated in other cities in North America including Vancouver (British Columbia), Toronto (Ontario), and Wilmington (Delaware). In 2003, the model was replicated in Malawi, Africa when William Nyasulu established YouthCare.
In 2008 UrbanPromise International was established to formalize this replication process and provide the supports necessary for the model to be used in other communities.
Our Approach
Since 1988, over thirty-five affiliate ministries have launched world-wide, in ten countries, and four continents. Our affiliate ministries have been started by individuals who have a passion to reach a child, raise a leader, and restore their communities using the model of UrbanPromise.
Each UrbanPromise and affiliate ministry site are dedicated to providing children and youth with the support that they need to succeed academically, grow spiritually, and prepare for leadership that will bring positive change to their own communities.
Each UrbanPromise and affiliate ministry site are dedicated to providing children and youth with the support that they need to succeed academically, grow spiritually, and prepare for leadership that will bring positive change to their own communities.
Board Members
Meet Our Speakers
Financial Information
Corporate Support
UrbanPromiseInternational Board
James Reynolds, Esq - Chair
Executive Director, The Diocesan Housing Services Corporation of the Diocese of Camden
Mindy Holman - Vice Chair
Holman Auto Group
Sheila Jacobs, CFP, CAP - Secretary
Managing Director-Market Leader, Wells Fargo Advisors
Phyllis Jones - Treasurer
CFO, Episcopal Diocese
Zareh Sarrafian
CEO, Riverside Country Regional Medical Center
Violette Hawkins - CFP
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones, Cerner Corporation
Neil Singh
Retired, Senior Staff Consultant, Klohn Crippen Berger
Rev. David Joynt, PhD
Senior Pastor, Valley Presbyterian Church, Phoenix, AZ
Rob Prestowitz
President and founder of UrbanPromise Wilmington, DE
Kristen Nielsen Donnelly, MSW, MDiv, PhD
Director, Abbey Research
Jim Unruh
Founding Principal, Alerion Capital Group
Beth Fitzgerald
Executive Coach/Strategist, Fitzgerald Coaching & Consulting
Rev. Bruce D. Main, DMin
President and founder of UrbanPromise Ministries
Bruce Main
President & Founder
The founder and president of UrbanPromise, Dr. Bruce Main established our first summer camp in the city of Camden in 1988 at the age of 25. His many UrbanPromise roles have included camp director and executive director, as well as the visionary creator of UrbanPromise’'s satellite locations in Wilmington, DE; Miami, FL; Trenton, NJ; Charlotte, NC; Little Rock, AR; Toronto, ON; Vancouver, BC; Copán, Honduras; Lilongwe, Malawi; Embu, Kenya; Monrovia, Liberia; and Mukono, Uganda.
Selected by Christianity Today as one of the country's "“50 Up & Coming Leaders Under 40,"” Bruce speaks nationally and internationally at mission conferences, colleges, churches, and business seminars. He and UrbanPromise are featured regularly in local media outlets and were highlighted on Diane Sawyer’'s 20/20 special “"Waiting on the World to Change"” and ABC'’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Bruce is an adjunct faculty member at Eastern University and co-authored the book Revolution & Renewal: How Churches Are Saving Our Cities with Dr. Tony Campolo, professor emeritus at Eastern and renowned sociologist and Christian leader. Bruce has also authored If Jesus Were A Sophomore: Discipleship for College Students, If Jesus Were A Senior: Last Minute Preparations for a Life of Discipleship, Spotting the Sacred: Finding God in Unlikely Places, and Holy Hunches: Responding to the Promptings of God. His latest book, The Promise Effect, is available now.
Bruce graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology. He received his MasterÂ’'s in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and his Doctorate of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. He lives in New Jersey with his wife Pamela and has three children.
Selected by Christianity Today as one of the country's "“50 Up & Coming Leaders Under 40,"” Bruce speaks nationally and internationally at mission conferences, colleges, churches, and business seminars. He and UrbanPromise are featured regularly in local media outlets and were highlighted on Diane Sawyer’'s 20/20 special “"Waiting on the World to Change"” and ABC'’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Bruce is an adjunct faculty member at Eastern University and co-authored the book Revolution & Renewal: How Churches Are Saving Our Cities with Dr. Tony Campolo, professor emeritus at Eastern and renowned sociologist and Christian leader. Bruce has also authored If Jesus Were A Sophomore: Discipleship for College Students, If Jesus Were A Senior: Last Minute Preparations for a Life of Discipleship, Spotting the Sacred: Finding God in Unlikely Places, and Holy Hunches: Responding to the Promptings of God. His latest book, The Promise Effect, is available now.
Bruce graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology. He received his MasterÂ’'s in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and his Doctorate of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. He lives in New Jersey with his wife Pamela and has three children.
Pamela Burgess Main
Goodwill Ambassador for UrbanPromise International
Pamela Burgess Main is our Ambassador for UrbanPromise. She is the wife of our founder Dr. Bruce Main. As newlyweds, in 1988 they traveled across the United States and landed in Camden New Jersey, where together, they birthed UrbanPromise.
Pamela has been an intricate part of the shaping and growth of UrbanPromise, serving as camp director, workgroup coordinator, tour guide, food bank distributor, and hostess to numerous affairs, dinners, and fundraisers. She is also an author. When given the opportunity, Pam Main loves sharing about UrbanPromise International and it's affiliates around the world.
Pamela has been an intricate part of the shaping and growth of UrbanPromise, serving as camp director, workgroup coordinator, tour guide, food bank distributor, and hostess to numerous affairs, dinners, and fundraisers. She is also an author. When given the opportunity, Pam Main loves sharing about UrbanPromise International and it's affiliates around the world.
Jim Cummings
Director of Experiential Education Advancement
Jim Cummings is the Director of Experiential Education Advancement at UrbanPromise International. Jim began his work with UrbanPromise in Camden, New Jersey in 2004 as founder of UrbanTrekkers , Urban BoatWorks and our RiverGuide programs. Jim’s vision was and remains to introduce experiential, expeditionary learning into our schools (K-12) and after school programs with a focus to bring context, application, and reflection to classroom learning. Our youth have traveled, hiked, camped, paddled in National Parks from Maine to Florida, hiked the mountains and canyons of Colorado and Utah, built wooden canoes and kayaks, and work as guides leading history/ecology paddle tours on the Urban Waters of the Delaware River and the tidal Cooper River that flows through their city to the Delaware River.
Today he leads the expansion of the UrbanTrekker programs and lifestyle throughout the global UrbanPromise affiliate community in the US, Canada, Central America, and Africa.
Today he leads the expansion of the UrbanTrekker programs and lifestyle throughout the global UrbanPromise affiliate community in the US, Canada, Central America, and Africa.
UrbanPromise International is a tax-exempt non-profit organization.
UrbanPromise International Tax ID # 26-3389429
Financial Statements (PDF)View 990 form (PDF)UrbanPromise International Tax ID # 26-3389429
Corporate Support
If your business or organization is interested in supporting UrbanPromise International
email Bruce for more info!
email Bruce for more info!
Eastern University
Eastern University and UrbanPromise have a long history together. For years, Eastern University has partnered with UrbanPromise to send kids from Camden, NJ to college as well providing discounted tuition rates to staff to further their education.
In addition, Eastern is one of the sponsors for the UrbanPromise Summit.
In addition, Eastern is one of the sponsors for the UrbanPromise Summit.
Visit Eastern University
Cairn University
Cairn University partners with UrbanPromise International to offer options for undergraduate and graduate degrees to our youth and staff around the world.
Visit Cairn University
Holman Automotive
Holman Automotive has sponsored the last two UrbanPromise International Summits, providing a two day retreat for over 200 of our staff.
Visit Holman Automotive
Thanks to all our corporate partners
- Albion Engineering
- Beneficial Bank
- Car Sense Inc
- Geoffrey's Malibu
- Hardenbergh Insurance Group
- Inkwood Books
- KDH Consulting LLC
- Metro Commercial
- Nevell Group
- Rotary Club of Haddonfield
- Valetines
- Wide Eyed Studios
