The Vision: An Introductory Letter From Glenn…
From the beginning, even before Grace DC was established, we desired to start other congregations. We longed to see a network of congregations dedicated to the words and deeds of Jesus Christ, joining the good work of other churches in the District. This desire was born first from the belief that starting new churches is God’s approved method for advancing his kingdom of grace throughout the world, and secondly from our experience in the city. The longer we’ve come to know and appreciate our city – it’s diverse neighborhoods and great needs – the more we believe that several churches will serve Washington, DC better than one. Communities which develop tailor-made ministry to clusters of neighborhoods will be more effective that one church seeking to serve the entire city. So as Duke and Paula Kwon lead us in beginning a new community in the contiguous neighborhoods of Columbia Heights, Mt. Pleasant and Adams Morgan, it’s nothing short of a dream realized. Understanding things from this point of view, reminds us that this project is more than Duke’s thing (and those that join him): it is a Grace DC thing. It is an essential part of the vision of Grace DC and an extension of what was started several years ago.
Everyone who names Grace DC their church home can and should play a part in this new chapter. What part might you play? Read on!
Grace to you,
Glenn Hoburg, on behalf of the elders
If you’re interested in participating in or simply knowing more about this project, please feel free to browse around the various sections that address the following questions:
What is the vision and purpose of this church plant?
Where will the church plant be located?
When and how will this new community start to form?
Who from Grace DC should consider being a part of the church plant?
What is the vision and purpose of this church plant?
We will seek to gather a community that is experiencing and extending the gospel of grace in Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, and Adams Morgan—one that seeks the holistic renewal of our neighborhood (spiritually, socially, culturally, economically) for the good of all of our local neighbors. Together we want to learn to be true neighbors as we ourselves discover (and continually re-discover) how God in his love has been a neighbor to us through Jesus (Luke 10:36-37; John 1:14; 1 John 4:19).
We are praying that God, by his grace, would make us into a community that is:
1. Connecting with God. We long to be a community that celebrates the “good news” of God’s grace—learning to worship and love God in all of life. We want our community to be accessible to our local neighbors who are unfamiliar with (or resistant to) Christianity. We will labor to make the gospel more intelligible to them, so that they, too, can begin to connect with God.
2. Growing in Community. We want to nurture authentic, mutually caring relationships in a community made more intimate by its walkable, street-level dynamic. We want to experience the grace of God in such a way that we are increasingly free to be weak, needy, honest, and flawed before each other. We pray that as we learn about his grace and truth, Jesus will begin to break old patterns of fear, sin, addiction, and character flaws in our lives.
3. Serving our Neighborhood. We want to labor to be “in,” “with,” and “for” the neighborhood— serving shoulder-to-shoulder with our neighbors as peers, not pros. We will strive to celebrate—and whenever possible, reflect—the rich diversity found in our neighborhood (ethnic, socio-economic, cultural, and generational diversity). We are committing to serving the poor and oppressed with deeds of mercy, compassion, and humility.
Where will the church plant be located?
The church plant’s geographical focus will be the neighborhoods of Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, and Adams Morgan. While we will remain committed to loving the city as a whole (in partnership with Grace DC Downtown), we plan to devote our gifts, finances, ministry resources, prayers, time, and energy to these neighborhoods in particular. One of the structural ways we hope to express this mission focus is by locating our Neighborhood Groups (small groups) in these three neighborhoods.
So what are some characteristics of these neighborhood?
Diversity. In a recent community survey, local neighbors described Columbia Heights as a racial and cultural “kaleidoscope.” While most parts of DC have a majority culture (typically African-American or Caucasian), this part of the city is approximately 40% Black, 35% White, and 25% Latino. Up to 136 nationalities are represented in the Adams Morgan area alone. The largest Latino community in the city, consisting primarily of Salvadoran immigrants, has made its home in these three neighborhoods. Even the newer residents of these neighborhoods are internationally minded. For example, these neighborhoods are reported have more Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) per capita than any other place in the world.
Eclectic Spirituality. Some residents are atheists, some are churched (or now “de-churched”), but many prefer an eclectic spirituality. Although intellectually open to new ideas and forms of spiritually self-expression, many are suspicious of organized religion. Some have a favorable view of Jesus but a highly unfavorable view of Christians.
Gentrification. Many regions of the city have experienced elements of urban renewal; however, Columbia Heights has seen this take place at an unusually rapid pace in the last few years. After being a socially and economically depressed neighborhood since the 1968 riots, it has become a hot destination for many young professionals and, along with them, commercial developers. The result is a neighborhood of socio-economic extremes: islands of heavy development (e.g., the recent construction of luxury condos and a 546,000 sq. ft. shopping and entertainment complex which includes the city’s only Target store) in the midst of an urban neighborhood that continues to struggle with crime and gang violence, poverty, broken schools, affordable housing, and racial strife.
Local. People in these neighborhoods are generally committed to the good of the neighborhood, with a natural commitment to “place.” They move around on foot or via public transportation (bus, metrorail); in fact, residents from this region have the fewest cars per capita in the city. They prefer to live in an intimate neighborhood within a dynamic, global city.
Neighborhood Resources
(note: these sites do not necessarily reflect the views and values of Grace DC)
Basic Info:
History:
Blogs:
www.newcolumbiaheights.blogspot.com/
When and how will this new community start to form?
Coming Soon!
Who from Grace DC should consider being a part of the church plant?
If you live in Columbia Heights, Mt. Pleasant, or Adams Morgan, we want to urge you to seriously consider this opportunity to serve your neighbor(hood)s and be a part of a gospel community in your own backyard. This church plant will be the most relevant and attractive to you, for obvious reasons. However, let it be clear: you are all welcome to join us, no matter where you live! We imagine that a segment of the new community will always be comprised of people who live in other parts of the city (or outside the city) but want to be a part of this neighborhood mission. But please keep in mind that this new community is not being started for “us,” but rather, for “others.”
If you’re interested in finding out how you can get more involved, please see the following section on Getting Involved.
Back to Top