Mission To Connect

Our MISSION:

To provide those experiencing homelessness and those on the verge of homelessness with the resources and help they need to not only survive, but to thrive through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our Strategy

  • We build interpersonal relationships with those we help so that we can lead them into a strong interpersonal relationship with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ so that they can walk in victory by the Spirit in love, joy, peace, and patience.

    Through Bible classes, personal counseling, and church services outside of shelters and community centers, we connect with our neighbors to help them connect with their heavenly Father.

    Click here to contact us to learn more about our neighborhood, how we are connecting with our neighbors, and how you can get involved!

  • We started Boots on the Ground (BOTG) to create a network of those in our city who are "boots on the ground": folks who work for ministries and agencies that already help those struggling with homelessness and addiction.

    We meet monthly to learn and share best practices to not only grow our tool box of solutions for our neighbors, but to also create a more streamlined network of physical, mental, and spiritual resources.

    To learn more about BOTG or to get involved, click here.

  • Valley in the Alley is a weekly church service on the street that we host for our neighbors in need.

    We pray, sing, and hear The Word. It’s also a great chance to bless our neighbors with clothing, hygiene products, and food.

    Click here to learn more!

Our Story

The Lord called John Blatzheim to inner-city ministry at the Brookside Methodist Church Children’s Program operated by Robert McKinney to provide a breakfast for the kids on Saturday mornings. After the back and forth of corporate life and part-time ministry in the early 2000s, the Lord called John into full-time inner-city ministry in 2011.

Pastor John started what was then called Celebration Ministries, operating on the near east side of Indianapolis to help the most vulnerable neighbors.

In 2022, John brought Corey Lowery onboard, having met through Corey’s ministry, Operation Find & Feed. In April of 2026, John Blatzheim retired and Pastor Corey filled his role as Executive Director of Mission To Connect.