Meet Amy Sullivan | Executive Director of Mission 98

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Sullivan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Relationship with God and my family

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I work for a faith-based nonprofit called Mission 98 which is a subsidiary of the Community Growth Foundation.

The name Mission 98 comes from a survey taken in an affordable housing community in Texas. Apartment residents were asked if they could name a local church. The results were that 98% of those surveyed could not. Hence the name, Mission 98.

At Mission 98, we work to train and equip churches, organizations, and individuals to see and serve people in local apartment communities all over the US. For some apartment communities, that can look like setting up afterschool care for families or tutoring students. In other places that can look like helping people build relationships with their neighbors or teaching them to read the Bible. At Mission 98, we also run an online platform where people gather to learn more about ministering to people who live in apartment communities, share success stories, and ask each other questions. The goal of seeing and serving those in apartment communities goes beyond being a good neighbor and caring for others – it is intended to intentionally demonstrate Christ’s love.

This type of ministry is unique in that 37% of people in the United States now live in multi-housing communities, and while the number of people who live in these multi-housing communities continues to rise, the number of people attending church continues to decline. So, what if the church decided to go to them? What if we decided to love our neighbors (you know, like Jesus said to do!)? That’s what Mission 98 is all about.

I believe I’m unique for my position with Mission 98 because apartment communities have played such a big part in my life story.

After my parents divorced, I spent a portion of my childhood growing up in apartment communities. My younger sister, mom, and I lived in multiple apartments. Some apartments were good, and others weren’t so fabulous, but one factor that helped determine the quality of life in the apartment community was our neighbors – the people who rallied around and cared for us. The people who babysat us when my mom was working and bought Girl Scout cookies from us when we were trying to earn our way to camp.

As a newlywed, my husband and I moved from Illinois to Colorado and found ourselves living in an apartment community. Being in a new city and not knowing anyone, I would often pray for a friend. That prayer was answered when my next-door neighbor not only became my friend, but she taught me to read the Bible. Again, someone in an apartment community impacted my life in a major way.

Later in life, my family and I moved into an apartment community of 900 residents. We lived there specifically to create community, serve, and share about Jesus. We thought we were there to teach, but as it turned out, we had much to learn. Important life lessons are sneaky like that.

It was out of that experience that I knew I wanted to continue focusing on people in apartment communities, and it was also through that experience that I became connected with Mission 98.

One of the biggest takeaways from looking at my time in apartment communities is the knowledge that often God uses our experiences, history, and heartache we endure to prepare us for something that we don’t expect or can’t imagine.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We host lots of first-time visitors and one of my favorite local places to take them is Roxborough State Park. The rock formations are stunning, and the park is usually not crowded. Plus, there are loads of trails to hike, and it’s gorgeous any time of the year.

Other favorite stomps include:
-Room for Millie (such a cute cocktail bar with yummy drinks)
-Denver Art museum
-RiNo District brewery hopping
-The Highlands
-Little Man Ice Cream
-An Avs or Nuggets game
-A show at Red Rocks amphitheater

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout is easy.

It goes to LuAnn Turner and Bear Valley Church in Lakewood, Colorado.

Mission 98, the nonprofit I am with, grew from a multi-housing ministry LuAnn started at Bear Valley Church in 2001. LuAnn wanted Christ to be known beyond the church walls, so she placed her focus on people who lived in multi-housing communities: apartments, condos, and motels, and she enlisted church members to help her serve residents.

What started out as one ministry at one church has grown into a national multi-housing ministry where we train churches, ministries, and people all over the U.S. (and beyond!) how to serve, love, and share about God in local apartment communities.

Website: https://MIssion98.org

Instagram: Mission98_

Facebook: Mission98

Image Credits
Photos are all mine. Credit: Amy L. Sullivan