That changed when 180 people from 11 congregations met for a special worship service and barbecue on the campus of North Park University Sunday afternoon.
“We were celebrating Christ in the city, but we also were reclaiming our identity as mission friends,” says Adam Phillips, one of the district’s co-facilitators and pastor of Resurrection Covenant Church.
Various types of churches were represented. Several of the congregations are undergoing directed revitalization and others are established neighborhood churches.
The service was conducted in Anderson Chapel. Soong-Chan Rah, the Milton E. Engebretson professor of church growth and evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary, preached.
Pastor Glenn Kaiser and a worship team from Jesus People USA Covenant Church led music, as did Sharon Peterson, organist at North Park Covenant Church. The churches also celebrated communion together.
Participants then enjoyed a barbecue dinner. Some already are suggesting that the event be held again next year, Phillips says.
