History
In the summer of 1980, after serving for two years with Denver Youth for Christ, Ted Travis pursued the development of a community-based youth program in the Five Points area of Denver, Colorado.
Meeting weekly with a small group of boys, Ted established a year-round club program of bible studies, one-on-one mentoring, camps, retreats and recreational activities.
Over the next 18 years Neighborhood Ministries developed a variety of youth and community development ministries. Then, in the summer of 1998, Ted contracted leukemia. He went through a successful bone marrow transplant in January of 1999. During the following years, while he was sidelined, his community changed. Longtime friend Bob Lupton put it this way:
“You got sick at a time you were shifting from being a young man to an old man. Also, during your illness, your community changed (via gentrification and Latin migration). You’re like Rip Van Winkle: you fell asleep a few years, then woke up and discovered everything had changed.”
Changed indeed. The forces of gentrification and latin migration were now colliding in an historic African-American community. The face of the poor had changed, a phenomena taking place not only in Denver but in surrounding neighborhoods and cities all across America.
In light of these new realities, Ted reevaluated Neighborhood's philosophy and focus. He became convinced that the ministry needed to rebuild around a primary focus of leadership development.
Today Neighborhood Ministries is pioneering leadership development among 'at-risk' youth. By helping youth discover and develop around the 'divine imprint' (God's unique design and purpose), Neighborhood Ministries pursues its ongoing purpose of forging tomorrow's urban leaders today.
The Founder
Born and raised in a poor community on Long Island, New York, Ted Travis was pursuing music studies at the Vienna Conservatory in Austria when Jesus Christ changed his life. After two years in Europe he moved to Denver, Colorado, where he completed a masters degree at Denver Seminary and became a resident of Denver’s Five Points community. He is a trustee at Denver Seminary and a founding member of the Christian Community Development Association. Ted and his wife Shelly have three kids.
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