What makes this partnership interesting to me is that the area of ministry of this church is very similar to some areas around our church. The church is located in an inner ring suburban area of Denver that was once a thriving bedroom community but is now transitioning as the inner city grows outward.
In cities all across America, the downtown area, like the Oklahoma City and Denver downtowns, are becoming more trendy and attractive to young professionals. The result is that as real estate values rise, disadvantaged families are forced into the inner ring suburban areas. So yesterday's suburban ministries in cities all across the country, are becoming todays urban (inner ring suburban) ministries.
Like us, Calvary Baptist has decided to stay in the city and turn it's face and ministry focus toward the needs of the transitioning neighborhoods around it. Unlike so many other churches in their situation, they have chosen not to abandon the neighborhoods that are increasingly challenged with fragile and broken families, poverty, drug addiction and crime and are instead actively engaging the communities around them. The result is that within three years this church has gone from about 30 people in regular attendance to over 400 last Sunday. The ministries are gospel centered, the music is band driven and contemporary, the pastor teaches verse by verse and they have community groups that meet all over the area that are focused on missional ministry.
Our kids and youth leadership came here to be a blessing to this wonderful church. But I think this church has also blessed us beyond measure and has taught us a few things as well.
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