In 1994, Scott and Amy Vogel met an "urban missionary" who took them on a one day "hood hike", a walking trip that led them under bridges and through abandoned buildings in the downtown area of Grand Rapids. Throughout this journey, they met many of Grand Rapids’ homeless…hurting people with unimaginable stories of out-of-control circumstances and personal pain.

This trip was the start of Urban Family Ministries. After many more similar interactions that followed, Scott and Amy felt led by God to sell their business, and dedicate their lives to "preaching the good news to the poor", and to share the love of Jesus with the "least of these", the children of the inner city. Today, Urban Family Ministries serves more than 250 youth through a network of more than 350 volunteers.