Story and photo by Everett Bassett

Even before the beginning of General Conference, Craig French is putting in long hours.

The pastor of Camillus Immanuel United Methodist Church is attending the quadrennial meeting as part of the National Urban Strategy Council, an advisory body to the General Board of Global Ministries. The Council has been working hard for several days to prepare for the legislation that will impact urban areas around the country and the world.

According to French, that includes most of the petitions that will come before the conference. Each will be evaluated by the Council for its effect on the poor and marginalized, on the largfely unchurched communities of our cities, and on the ministry of Jesus to the oppressed.

French has long had a passion for social justice in urban settings, a passion that has found expression in the urban outreach of the Camillus congregation he serves.

At this conference, he has special interest in the Resolution on Urban Sprawl, which will advocate for 'smart growth' rather than the random sprawl that disregards long term effects on the poor and disenfranchised.

Commenting on his impressions as the conference was about to begin, French said, "One of the things I love about urban ministry is exactly what is represented here (at General Conference) -- a wonderful array of people from every corner of the world.

'Maybe we can learn to live together, by God's grace."

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