Helping people find their way back to God

WHO WE ARE

Urban Poiema exists because the gospel of Jesus Christ still has the power to reach people who often feel unseen, overlooked, or far from God. What began as a Hispanic/Latino ministry has grown into a diverse, multicultural and multigenerational community where people from many backgrounds worship together as one body. We stand as a bridge across social and cultural fragmentation, offering a place where anyone can find a sense of belonging… where in our hearts we carry our stories, our scars, and our struggles not with shame but as reminders of God’s grace at work in us. Together, those stories help create a beautiful mosaic, a masterpiece, a poiema…

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OUR PASTOR

Cuauhtémoc (Temo) Rios’s path began at UPC when he first visited for a special event during the church’s early days. After falling in love with UPC and joining, his first role was on the UP-Keep team, where he helped clean and prepare the church for services.  From these humble beginnings, God started to bring to life the calling He had given young Temo all those years ago—the calling to be a pastor. 

​In 2020, Temo faced one of the most challenging journeys a young pastor can ever undertake and took over as lead pastor of UPC right in the middle of the global COVID pandemic. With a fearless spirit, a warm smile, and a heart full of service, pastor Temo not only survived this global event but also emerged with the same passion and unwavering trust in God. Because of this, along with the support of his family and the core leadership at the church, Urban Poiema began to grow again and shine as a beacon for the city of Milwaukee, just as it always has.

Pastor Temo enjoys teaching the Word , spending quality time with his beautiful family, and waking up early to spend time with God. He’s also a big fan of the Green Bay Packers, loves a good taco de lengua, and enjoys long rides on his cool carbon fiber, hybrid Trek.

OUR NAME

Poiema (pronounced poy'-ay-mah) is a Greek word meaning "that which is made," "workmanship," or "masterpiece". Derived from the verb poieo ("to do" or "to make"), it refers to a created product, design, or work of art. It is famously used in Ephesians 2:10 to describe believers as God's "workmanship" or "masterpiece"

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago"
Ephesians 2:10 NLT

MEET OUR
​LEADERS

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"we are the clay, and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand" ~ Isaiah 64:8"

Temo & Barbara

​Pastor & Director

Anthony & Jaileen

Youth-Children's Ministry

Danny & Laura

Worship & Discipleship

Luis & Jessica

ILMC & Host Ministry

Teddy & Vanessa

Trustee & Events

WHAT WE BELIEVE

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We want to be honest and clear about what we believe as a church. Sometimes when churches talk about beliefs, the wording can feel overly complicated, stiff, or full of “church language.” That’s not our heart. We simply want to help people understand what we believe about God, the Bible, and the Christian faith in a way that makes sense.

At Urban Poiema, we believe not every issue carries the same weight. There are some things Christians can disagree on and still love Jesus, follow Him faithfully, and remain united as brothers and sisters in Christ. These are what many call the non-essentials of faith, and in those areas we believe there should be grace, humility, and room to grow.

But there are also foundational truths—core beliefs that have shaped the Christian faith from the very beginning. These are the essentials of our faith, the truths that hold everything together and define what it means to follow Jesus. Scripture calls us to be united in those things as one body and one family in Christ (Ephesians 4:4–6), while also showing grace to one another in areas where believers may see things differently (Romans 14:1–4, 12, 22).

Most importantly, we want you to know this: you do not have to have everything figured out before showing up here. You do not have to understand every doctrine or settle every question before you belong in this community. If you are exploring faith, wrestling with questions, or still unsure what you believe, you are welcome here. Urban Poiema is a place where people can grow, ask questions, and walk together as we learn what it means to follow Jesus.

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OUR BELIEFS

SCRIPTURE
We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, to be the inspired Word of God; true in the original writings; the complete revealing of His will for salvation; and the divine authority for Christian faith and all of life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20; Matthew 5:18)

GOD
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Romans 8; Ephesians 1:13-14; Matthew 28:19; Revelation 4:11)

JESUS CHRIST
We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, he was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins. He physically rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven where He is at the right hand of God the Father, He is our High Priest and Advocate. He will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1: 18-25; 1 Corinthians 15; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 2:21-25; Acts 1:9, 10; 1 John 2:1,2; Matthew 25:31-41; Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 1:3; John 10:30)

HOLY SPIRIT
We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and, to convict, regenerate (bring to new life), seal, indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for Godly living and service. (Ephesians 1:13, 14; John 16:8-13; Romans 8:9; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 2:20-27)

HUMANITY
We believe that people were created in the image of God but fell into sin and are, therefore, lost; and only through the work of the Holy Spirit and Jesus can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17, 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Romans 3:9-23; Ephesians 2:1-3; Titus 3:5; Isaiah 59:2)

SALVATION
​We believe that Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection provide the only ground that we’re able to be made right with God (justification and salvation) for all who believe. Only those who receive Jesus by faith are saved, forgiven, and have become children of God. (Romans 3:23, 6:23 10:9; John 3:16; Acts 2:38)

THE CHURCH
We believe the Church is composed of all persons who have been made new by the Holy Spirit through saving faith in Jesus Christ. These Christians are united together in the Body of Christ, of which Jesus is Lord and Head, and are now given the job of sharing the good news about Jesus to every person. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:1-16; Acts 2:41, 42; Romans 12:5; 2 Timothy 2:2; Matthew 28:18-20)

DEATH
We believe that it is appointed for man once to die, and after this, judgment will occur. We also believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, and of the unbeliever to judgment and eternal separation from God. (Hebrews 9:27; Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28, 29; Revelation 20:11-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 3:5)

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​OUR VALUES

JESUS IS OUR MESSAGE​
Jesus is the hope we share.  Methods come and go but the message will stay the same.

SERVICE IS OUR HONOR
Jesus was the perfect template for what it means to serve. We serve our church and our community with the same passion with which He first served us. Every role may be different but every role holds a place in God’s heart. 

COMPASSION IS OUR HEART
We want to be intentional with God’s love and have compassion burn in our hearts as it did with Jesus.

GENEROSITY IS OUR PRIVILEGE
We give because God first gave to us. We strive to be generous with our time, treasures and talents. Generosity is giving more than what is required and what greater example than God giving his only son for us.

LOVE & DISCIPLESHIP IS OUR FOCUS
When we love God, we fall in love with His creation. After His resurrection one of Jesus’s final instructions was centered on discipleship. Sharing His love with all creation is our primary focus.