Spark is also an emerging network of communities that gather in small groups. Our network intends to gather people from across denominational, cultural, and doctrinal lines and boundaries - so long as we’re aligned on the essentials of the Christian faith.
We love, value, and link arms with all different expressions of The Church as long as they too are orthodox in their beliefs. This includes traditional churches, house churches, micro-churches, para-church ministries, college gatherings, and more.
We strongly believe that God is calling certain people in our present time to be part of an expression of cross-city community life that aims to look to the early Church’s example for its primary insights about city-wide body life throughout all 7 days.
An ancient way of experiencing cross-city community life, in homes and around the table.
So What Is A Spark Community?
A committed Spirit-filled group pursuing the presence of God as the source of life and joy and the only pathway to true revival, rooted city-wife community life, deep spiritual formation, and the renewal of the world around us.
We believe Jesus is for everyone, but our communities are not…
This may come as a relatively appalling statement to some, but as Jesus did, we ask ourselves and others to count the costs of following Him, to be all-in in our faith, to set aside personal preferences, and to surrender our will to Jesus. Scripture tells us that a little leaven leavens the whole loaf. In the same way, people with wrong motives, self-centered preferences, bitterness with other parts of the Church, apathy and passivity, or simply a desire to preserve a “comfortable” life and faith, will become a distraction from those who are trying to live wholehearted and fully devoted lives to God and one another.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in his book Life Together: “Those who love their dream of a Christian community more than they love the Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian community even though their personal intentions may be ever so honest, earnest and sacrificial. God hates this wishful dreaming because it makes the dreamer proud and pretentious. Those who dream of this idolized community demand that it be fulfilled by God, by others, and by themselves. They enter the community of Christians with their demands set up by their own law and judge one another and God accordingly.”
We aim to be people who pursue not our own preferences, dreams, ideals, and wishful outcomes but rather cherish what God has placed right in front of us.
Community is not meant for the fulfillment of our self-centered preferences but rather is meant as the setting that refines us, sharpens us, grows us, and challenges us to become more like our king, Jesus.
If you’re not ready for that kind of community life, commitment, and sacrifice, that’s OK. There is zero condemnation, judgment, or bitterness from us - this community just probably isn’t for you. At least not yet.
A Spark Community is a place where we intentionally meet with others across the city (and not just inside the 4 walls of our local gathering) to seek the presence of God, engage in prayer, enjoy fellowship, and grow deeper bonds of peace that will serve to allow space for God to further heal and renew our city.
How do I join a community?
The best way to join and experience a community gathering is to first fill out the form below, and we’ll connect you with a leader in your area so that you can get to know one another and decide if there’s a mutual fit! We can’t wait to meet you!