In St. Louis, collaboration between faith-based organizations, nonprofits, and local businesses is creating powerful change. A recent episode of Real Stories of Rising Together highlights how Midwest BankCentre partners with The Crossing Church and Living the Word Church to transform communities through shared values and collaboration. Together, they’re working to improve neighborhoods, promote homeownership, and make lasting impacts.
Building a Strong Foundation Through Collaboration
Orv Kimbrough, Chairman and CEO of Midwest BankCentre, kicked off the episode by visiting a collaborative community service project with Pastor Greg and Pastor David. The initiative focuses on rehabbing homes in local neighborhoods, starting with cleaning and preparing properties for renovation. This partnership demonstrates how community collaboration can have a significant, tangible impact on residents’ lives.
“Collaboration allows us to see what we can do together and the impact we can have,” Pastor Greg explains. By bringing together organizations like churches and the banking industry, projects like this help transform not only physical spaces but also the lives of the people who call those neighborhoods home.
Why Partnership Matters
Volunteers worked hard to clear out and prepare the house for renovation, showing how “many hands make the load lighter.” Pastor David noted that the partnership between organizations like Midwest BankCentre and local churches is essential because it pools resources, time, and energy to create lasting change.
“Collaboration is key,” he said. “When we invest in rehabbing a home in this neighborhood, it becomes accessible to many people. It starts in places like this, and it starts with homeownership.”
Homeownership, as the pastors highlighted, is about more than owning property—it’s about creating safety, stability, and generational wealth. These projects help create a legacy for families, ensuring that the benefits of these renovations extend far beyond the immediate present.
The Role of Midwest BankCentre in Community Transformation
Midwest BankCentre’s involvement in these projects goes beyond funding; they are an active participant in making homeownership a reality for more people in St. Louis. As Pastor Greg mentioned, Midwest BankCentre isn’t just a bank that expects the community to come through their doors—they actively work within the community. This engagement creates opportunities for wealth-building, primarily through homeownership, which is one of the biggest drivers of wealth in any community.
Kimbrough also highlighted the bank’s role in providing affordable housing, which is critical to the region’s development. He joined the pastors to visit a fully renovated house nearby, an example of how Midwest BankCentre’s investment has already transformed the community.
Creating Affordable Housing for Future Generations
In neighborhoods across St. Louis, the need for affordable housing is growing. Midwest BankCentre is stepping up to help meet that need, investing in properties that are being refurbished and offered at accessible price points. This strategy not only helps individuals and families achieve homeownership but also uplifts entire neighborhoods.
“This house is just seven doors down from where we worked today,” Kimbrough shared. “You can actually see the transformation happening.”
How to Get Involved in Transforming Your Community
The work being done by Midwest BankCentre, The Crossing Church, and Living the Word Church is a great example of how partnerships can create long-lasting change. For those who want to make a difference, Pastor David encouraged people to get involved. “Find a place that resonates with your values and jump on in,” he said.
Organizations like Midwest BankCentre support nearly 1,000 local nonprofits and faith-based organizations, amplifying the impact they have in the St. Louis region. This collective effort helps families and communities prosper, lifting up neighborhoods so that everyone can rise together.
Collaboration, shared values, and community investment are the keys to transforming neighborhoods and creating lasting change. With the help of organizations like Midwest BankCentre and local churches, communities in St. Louis are being revitalized, and opportunities for homeownership and generational wealth are expanding. Through these partnerships, the region is on a path to creating a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone