Helen S. Faison Arts Academy is in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood. North Way Christian Community is in Pine.

Despite the distance between them, the church considers the Pittsburgh public school part of its mission.

In an effort to reach more people locally, nationally and internationally, North Way has formed a partnership with the elementary school to provide it with volunteers and money.

The congregation decided to take on a project to serve those beyond its traditional boundaries as part of its 25th anniversary celebration this year.

"We realized we had 45 missionaries all over the world, but we didn't feel like we were doing a lot locally. Our pastor, Dr. Jay Passavant, felt that we should do something in the urban setting and met with Mayor [Tom] Murphy to plan the next step," he said, adding that Dr. Passavant has "a strong conviction that we touch the urban community."

The result was the partnership with the school.

"We saw that 21 [Pittsburgh] schools had been closed and there were teacher layoffs. These are kids already at risk. By forming this partnership, we hope to help," said Bill James, director of ministry advancement.

The church gave 150 adults diversity training for the parternship and is asking other churches to adopt schools to further the work.

"We feel that with the health of the city, so goes the health of the region. This is a good program for everyone," Mr. James said.

The church also is opening a satellite campus in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, as part of its mission to reach more people in an urban setting. "This [campus] is dead center in the nexus of Oakland. We will be close to the college campuses and Children's Hospital," Mr. James said. A full-time pastor, Mike Arnold, has been hired and plans to start holding services in February.

The school partnership and satellite campus are part of an effort called Church.Disturbed, which refers to members of the congregation being disturbed enough about injustice and disparities to take action.

Church.Disturbed also has international and national aspects, Mr. James said.

"Globally, we will work with a hospital in Tibet [that] is building a lab for children. Kids at that elevation often develop heart defects, so we will literally be helping to save lives. We are raising 10 percent of the funds, $250,000, that they need for this project."

The national aspect of Church.Disturbed will provide the opportunity to train people for Christian leadership positions. "We have the vision to create a leadership institute for young adults," Mr. James said. "We are working with The Fellows Initiative and have two interns right now. We want to train them in church work and provide them with the support they need to become leaders."

North Way also is expanding its church in Pine to enlarge the community worship area and provide more space for children and student ministry.

Church.Disturbed is a three-year project. Mr. James said the church pledged to raise about $9 million in this campaign.