When our church celebrates our ministries we look at all of our programs for youth and thank God for each ministry. However, we have heard God's call to minister to young people whose lives have been devastated by today's world and who are out on the streets. As part of our 'Church Outside the Church' ministry, our church has joined with Covenant House of Atlantic City in striving to bring God's word to the young people are found living under the boardwalk of Atlantic City, in abandoned buildings and in the parks. Once a month a ministry team leads a Sunday morning discussion of faith at Atlantic City's Covenant House and our ministry team works with Covenant House's staff in the streets of Atlantic City to reach out to those young people who are struggling with life.

Covenant House states that "We who recognize God’s providence and fidelity to his people are dedicated to living out his covenant among ourselves and those children we serve, with absolute respect and unconditional love. That commitment calls us to serve suffering children of the street, and to protect and safeguard all children. Just as Christ in his humanity is the visible sign of God’s presence among his people, so our efforts together in the covenant community are a visible sign that effects the presence of God, working through the Holy Spirit among ourselves and our kids."

Atlantic City's Covenant House began serving the homeless youth living on the streets of Atlantic City in 1989. Their staff and facilities provide food, clothing, counseling, referrals, and transitional housing to young people from all over the United States who end up in Atlantic City. The people of Central have time and time again provided goods and monies to support these ministries.

In describing the work of Covenant House, THE PRESS of ATLANTIC CITY stated "What's unique about the program is that Covenant House doesn't just wait for troubled or homeless young people to walk through the door - it goes out and finds them. On the street. On the Boardwalk. Under the Boardwalk. An example of the good that quietly gets done in the trenches of modern life."

Covenant House in Atlantic City operates a center with 24 single beds and three spaces for mothers and babies.In addition they have a transitional center with 10 two-bedroom apartments for young people who are moving forward with their lives and have found employment opportunities.

Those of us who claim the name of Jesus Christ are taught in Scripture to serve those in need; to go beyond the walls of our church building and into the world to serve all of God's people is the mission calling of Central United Methodist Church.