Our Story

Mile High Ministries was formed in 1988 as a collaborative effort between a group of churches working across denominational and cultural lines. In our early days were particularly inspired and encouraged by the vision of Pastor Frank Tillapaugh, who challenged us to focus outside the walls of our churches and engage our city—particularly the beauty and struggles of the urban poor.

From its earliest days, Mile High Ministries functioned as a kind of “incubator” for a variety of social ventures, which in many cases have spun-off to operate independently. Examples of such projects include:

Marion Street Project

which transformed five 100-year-old “boarding homes” and an office building into a center of holistic community service

 Mile High Workshop

an employment and job training program for those facing barriers to work.

Issachar Center for Urban Leadership

a residential and community platform for equipping and convening urban Christian leaders for an urbanizing World.

After 14 years of focusing our work in Capitol Hill, we expanded to neighborhoods across the city of Denver—in partnership with churches, faith-based organizations, and other community organizations.

While our focus is Denver, we’ve helping communities across the metro area see and connect with the growing numbers of poor and marginalized people within their own neighborhoods, while building connections between leaders throughout our urbanizing world.

While we’ve put great energy into learning and implementing effective approaches to poverty, we’ve continually been on a journey of shared spiritual life as people. Our primary influences have been the people we serve with and among. We’ve also been blessed by seasoned mentors and teachers from around the world.

A Brief Timeline

1999

In 1999, we established a leadership development center in our apartment building on the east side of Denver.

2001

In 2001, we purchased the old “Motel 7” on Denver’s west side, which was renovated into Joshua Station—our transitional housing for homeless families.

2015

In 2015, we built an office and community space next to Joshua Station that now houses a legal aid center and serves as home base for a variety of innovative responses to urban poverty.

2022

In 2022 we are building Clara Brown Commons in northeast Denver’s Cole neighborhood—the fulfillment of 17 years of prayer and planning that reclaims a blighted urban block for affordable, supportive long-term housing.