SOZO  //  Reaching Urban Youth

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. Luke 19:10

• Jesus’ owns words on his mission on earth. The word “save” here in English is translated from the Greek word “SOZO” which means SALVATION, RESTORATION, HEALING, MAKING WHOLE, PROTECTION, DELIVERANCE

• These words describe our heart as a body for the broken people and areas of urban Tacoma

The ministry of SOZO is an expression of City Central Church to urban and disadvantaged youth of Tacoma. It is a unique partnership with Tacoma Youth for Christ (YFC) and other churches to reach high risk and under resourced youth, kids and families in urban areas of Tacoma with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many individuals from the City Central body serve as local missionary staff and volunteers with YFC, who work in collaboration with other ministries and agencies (over 40 partners) to meet the needs of these young people and their families.

The ministry of SOZO is expressed through several ministry venues in Tacoma:

SOZO Kids – reaches out to kids in grades Kindergarten through 5^th in the Hilltop area of Tacoma – We partner with local elementary schools, churches and community to provide a safe, thriving and fun place for kids to hear and experience the love of Christ. SOZO Kids meets every Friday Night at the People’s Community Center from 7-10pm, as well as throughout the year with camps, events, VBS, and holiday parties. The relationships begun through SOZO kids continues into Middle School, High School and beyond and also seeks to reach families in partnerships with other SOZO venues.

SOZO – reaches Middle and High School youth from the Hilltop of Tacoma. We meet youth in schools, community centers and in the neighborhood. SOZO gathers weekly at the People’s Community Center from 6:30-8:30pm on Tuesday evenings. SOZO connects to SOZO Church and involves small group discipleship and relevant teaching.


SOZO Middle School – currently connects with three urban Middle Schools within the Tacoma School District. Staff and volunteers from the community serve administrators and youth as needs arise. These leaders provide mentoring and some basic counseling as well as administer after school clubs and events on campus. SOZO MS connects with all other SOZO venues in order to provide young people and their family’s safe places to hear and experience the Gospel and to grow with Christ.

SOZO Late Night – provides a safe and fun venue for leaders to connect with young people from the Hilltop and Eastside of Tacoma. Late Night uses sports, games, crafts and music to engage young people and works with the other SOZO venues to connect kids to Christ and discipleship.

Juvenile Justice Ministry (JJM) – reaches young people who are involved with the Juvenile Justice system of Pierce County. Leaders seek to share the hope and love of Christ with high risk youth who are often desperate and in need. JJM works in conjunction with other SOZO venues to connect kids and help them meet and grow in Christ.

SOZO Church – is a City Central church plant on the Hilltop of Tacoma that seeks to be a place for urban youth and young adults to be real, be heard and have truth defined in a relevant way. Our desire is to provide a place for young people to meet Christ, grow in their faith and to live out their journey with others, and to learn to give their lives away in the service of Christ. Provides a place for other SOZO venues to bring their young people where they fit in and can engage in the lifelong value of church and community.

Sozo church meets at 3pm on sunday afternoons on the Tacoma Hilltop. For directions click here.

SOZO Extreme – reaches kids, youth and adults through performing feats of strength that open the door for sharing the Gospel. SX also provides a place for young adults to use their gifts of strength and courage to share their testimonies and messages of hope with others. SX works with all other SOZO venues to keep young people engaged in the mission of sharing their faith.

SOZO Music – provides an opportunity for young people to exercise their gifts of music, rap, production and dance to reach their neighborhood for Christ. SM has recording and production equipment to produce music demos. The musical opportunities are coupled with discipleship and growth in Christ as a way to honor the Lord.

To learn more about Sozo, visit the Tacoma Youth For Christ website.

Or email Darrin Miller at Darrin@tacomayfc.org