CCRN Apartment Ministry
Research Sources, Interviews, Artifacts and Archives
Phase II Interviews
Phase II Interviews
Andrew Kruse
Interviewee: Andrew Kruse
Position: Served at Woodmark Apartments in Tacoma, while attending South Lakeshore Christian Church
Date: May 17, 2023
Location: Puyallup, WA
Recording Media: Audio, video
Abstract: In this interview, Andrew shares about his experience serving at Woodmark Apartments with others from South Lakeshore Christian Church. They had been invited by an Apartment Life Coordinator, and worked closely with this ministry for about 2 years.
After a few violent incidents at the complex, including a couple of shootings, several volunteers left, and the ministry was not able to continue. But despite the loss of the official ministry, Andrew has had many contacts with those he connected with during his time there, and the relationships that were built continue to this day. He was recently asked to perform a funeral for someone he had met at the apartment complex. Andrew noted that by focusing on the relationships, even if a program comes to an end, the relationships can continue.
This relational philosophy of ministry was also very helpful when it came to working with people who were not Christians, and serving at the invitation of the complex managers who were not Christians. They were there to build relationships, not to proselytize.
Andrew believes it is important for those in this kind of ministry to develop a vocabulary for speaking to others about the Gospel in non-threatening, humble, and winsome ways. He recommends engaging with others in a curious way, asking about their beliefs and worldview, not as a “corrective measure” but as a compassionate one. We should be trying to understand where they are coming from, and listening to their story.
Reflection: I noticed that, like the apartment ministry of Jesse Mendoza in Edgewood, Andrew’s service at Woodmark lasted less than two years. Jesse indicated that one of the reasons for this was the time-demands placed on him and his wife, while Andrew mentioned that several he was working with felt that the area was too dangerous. Later, I would talk to Pat and Chris Willey, who stated that their work lasted only two years as well. For them, it was because new management was not favorable toward the ministry.
Notable points from this interview.
- An Apartment Life ministry coordinator contacted the church that Andrew was attending, inviting them to come and hang out with some young people at Woodmark Apartments.
- He and others went to the apartment complex every week to hang out with teens in the community.
- Apartment Life (AL) provided the coordination and oversight for the ministry.
- AL had a good reputation with the apartment complex management.
- The Cares Coordinator was off-site for this complex.
- The apartment complex was known for gang, violence, and drug activity.
- There was a couple shootings at the complex, and several other serious incidents, as well as threats to the apartment staff.
- This led some of the volunteers and some Apartment Life ministry workers to drop out of the ministry.
- Eventually, the official ministry came to an end, but Andrew is still in contact with some of the people he met during this time.
- Andrew’s perspective is that when things are difficult, it “means we are going in the right direction.”
- By focusing on the relationships, even if a program comes to an end, the relationships can continue.
- This relational philosophy of ministry was also very helpful when it came to working with people who were not Christians, and serving at the invitation of the complex managers who were not Christians. They were there to build relationships, not to proselytize.
- As they spent time with people, often they would ask “why” and he would explain that because of his faith, he viewed those individuals as valuable.
- Andrew believes it is important for believers in this kind of (missional) ministry to develop a vocabulary that enables them to talk to others about the Gospel in non-threatening, humble, and winsome ways.
- He recommends engaging with other in a curious way, asking about their beliefs and worldview, not as a “corrective measure” but as a compassionate one. We should be trying to understand where they are coming from, and listening to their story.