History
Dr. Grassano in front of the first Harvest Center
The vision of Urban Harvest Ministries was birthed on the streets of the South Bronx in 1992 while Dr. Grassano was leading a short-term mission team. Standing on the sidewalk looking at an abandoned coffin factory after walking out of a store that was actually a "front" for the sale of narcotics, God spoke to Dr. Grassano's heart: "Prepare yourself; I have future ministry for you here." Through a simple step of faith in 1994, Dr. Grassano resigned the directorship of a thriving short-term missions agency and moved to New York City. He and his family began building relationships with people on the streets of the South Bronx. By reaching people with the gospel and empowering them toward their destinies, a solid base for urban outreach - The Harvest Center - was established.
Beginning in the homes of drug addicts and drug dealers, after one year they moved into the storefront that Dr. Grassano had walked into three years prior. They established the first Harvest Center and remained there for five years. Four of those years, they had no heat in the winter, rat infestation, and continual water damage from apartments above. Unwavered, they persevered with belief in the vision of seeing urban citizens empowered toward their destinies.
The Harvest Center is housed in part of this formerly abandoned coffin factory. In 2001, UHM moved across the street into that factory that had been abandoned for more than 30 years. This former coffin factory had been used by drug dealers and homeless drug addicts. With no funds available to do renovations, Dr. Grassano signed the lease by faith. Miraculous provision followed, and they renovated part of the factory into a beautiful facility to empower and equip the urban community around them.
In 2005, Dr. Grassano expanded Urban Harvest Ministries to Detroit to implement prayer and outreach strategies and build a cross-cultural, multi-denominational network to "turn this city upside down for Jesus Christ." It is the vision of UHM to expand this effort of city-reaching, called Hope for the City, so that the presence and favor of God will transform communities and cities of this nation and the world for the glory of Jesus Christ.
From these humble beginnings, the lives of many have been changed and miraculous community transformation has taken place through the rise of contagious Christ-centered lifestyles and relevant strategies of prayer and outreach.
