Batavia: Flowing Grace
"Church in a Box"
Planter: Rev. Jeffry Bross
This satellite ministry began in 2007, reaching out to grow in the north Aurora area. A vision of the Batavia United Methodist Church, this satellite ministry is assisting the landlocked downtown congregation in engaging in innovative ministries and outreach to a new population. The satellite has utilized a system called “Church in a Box” to conduct worship in a school facility each Sunday.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT YOUR CHURCH?
Our goal at Flowing Grace is to help persons discover the MOMENT and DO SOMETHING about it. While our worship is enticing, energizing and challenging to new Christians, we realize that all throughout the week, we want to make an impact on the lives of people in the community. Therefore, we are teaching people to seek and understand those moments of grace throughout their week, when God's presence can be most closely felt and understood.
For many, it is the first time they have thought about God outside of a Sunday morning. Moreover, once people become more accustomed to experiencing God and engaging God in the week, we are encouraging them to do something about it. Our DO SOMETHING ministry encourages the Flowing Grace participants to DO SOMETHING in their community that makes a positive impact and spreads the love of Christ to our neighbors.
Once a month, we gather as a community after worship to eat lunch and then venture out into the local community to serve (picking up garbage, serving the food pantry, putting up Christmas lights for people who have recently lost loved ones etc.). People know that Flowing Grace is not a church that is looking inward to serve itself. We are more concerned with the other. With that the love of Christ is being felt beyond the walls of Flowing Grace.
Is it working? YES! It is evidenced by many, but in particular a group of 20-somethings that continues to grow in numbers. They have engaged in numerous mission opportunities already. When one of them was asked why he was at Flowing Grace, he said: "I never would be caught dead at church before, but there is something different here. These people mean what they say and practice what they preach. I like that God is real and I like that I can make a difference and do something!"
http://www.flowing-grace.com/
Please make a one-time or monthly donation to support this new faith community.
