I Thirst Ministry is a Catholic faith-based ministry working to bring people closer to Jesus and to help inner city young people in Kensington (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) come to know their dignity, identity and worth through fostering talents and serving the poor.
Learn about Michael Grogan and his work…
Michael Grogan is a legally blind, lay missionary.
After a dramatic conversion in 1993, Michael was set ablaze with love for Jesus.
In 1999, Michael met Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity and began to work with the poorest of the poor.
For over 25 years, Michael led prayer groups in the South Bronx for young people who were involved with gangs and violence. He currently resides in the notorious and violent Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia where he ministers to the spiritual needs of the poor and marginalized. Michael also provides spiritual direction and gives retreat conferences throughout the country.
Our ministry aims to bring the Kingdom of God down into the streets of Kensington, by reminding people of their profound identity as children of God the Father, and making them disciples of Jesus Christ.
Our mission includes planting the seeds of truth in the hearts of young people and families that are overwhelmed by a culture of death, drugs, and abandonment. We believe through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit, great transformation is possible to make Kensington become like “sweet smelling incense before the Lord.”
We aim to bring the Kingdom of God down into the streets of Kensington, by reminding people of their profound identity as children of God the Father, and making them disciples of Jesus Christ.
An extended radio interview from December 2020 with Michael Grogan and its transcript which goes into more details on Michael’s background is here
“Hungry for love, He looks at you. Thirsty for kindness, He begs of you. Naked for loyalty, He hopes in you. Homeless for shelter in your heart, He asks of you. Will you be that one to Him?”
— St. Teresa of Calcutta
Here are some technical and legal details about
I Thirst Ministry
I Thirst Ministry is a business name of Michael Grogan Ministry, Inc. which is registered under EIN 86-2068462, and is recognized by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) as a 501(c)(3) “charitable organization”, a public charity. Founded in early 2021 and based in Philadelphia, this is also a “Charitable Organization" under Certificate of Registration #122315 from the CoPA (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania).
Donations are tax deductible.
This organization is an independent Catholic lay ministry. It is entirely Catholic in its beliefs and practices, but is not formally part of the Roman Catholic Church. The organization's primary activities are properly classified under:
NAICS Code 813110 - Religious Organizations
SIC Code 8661 - Religious Organizations
NTEE Code X20 - Christian