History

The Mission in Oakland was known as Peniel Mission from its founding in 1897 until 1998 when CityTeam International became involved. This was a unique ministry for a group of single women who found it their calling to reach out to the homeless society of Oakland.

At the turn of the Century, sailors from around the world would come to the Mission. Sailors were not only poor but also notorious for being a riotous lot, and would often end up hungry and depressed.

It has always been the mission of Peniel and now CityTeam International's mission to offer food for the body, and also food for the soul. The good news is that there is a God who loves us all deeply, and who is eager to forgive us, and reestablish us back into society to serve him and our fellow man.

In the last half of the 20th century, significant changes occurred in Oakland. People of wealth and means moved out to the suburbs, and the sixties ushered in a "do your own thing attitude". In some cases this meant drug use, and eventually serious addiction problems began on a large scale. Addiction always flourishes where there is a high level of despair and hopelessness.

The drug addiction and abuse continue to this day, with the primary drug of choice in our city being crack cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines. The Mission has always made an effort to meet the needs of the people as they becomse apparent, so our emphasis in the last 20 years has been to not only offer food and shelter, but also offer a well-structured residential recovery programs. Our highly successful programs has changed scores of lives, and continues to grow in scope and effectiveness.

We at CityTeam International in Oakland are determined to move ahead with aggressive plans to expand the scope of our work to include reaching out to the fastest growing sector of homeless people in our city - battered and underprivileged women with children, many of whom are being eliminated from welfare rolls, and not making a successful transition to independent living. We intend to help women face this life transition successfully.

Our Mission Statement says:

"In obedience to Christ, passionately transforming individuals, their families and communities throughout the world "

We are thankful and privileged to be able to step into the gap, and assist the poor and homeless people of our city. We will continue to do so as long as there is need, and God gives us strength!