The Apartment Church

What do we do when a city become overpopulated, gas prices become so high no one will drive, and people feel distant from the idea of church. Well, one idea is brilliant, have church where people live.

In the greater Phoenix area Louis Spears is the church planting specialist for Vally Rim Association. He has thought of a creative way to tackle all the questions above. Louis partnered with an apartment complex to serve the tenants and build a sense of community. He provides free breakfast in the morning and uses that time to get to know and invite people to worship with them.

The concept is great. Louis works through an organization named Apartment Life, an outgrowth of Mission Arlington in Texas, to place teams in apartments to build a sense of community. The CARES Team, as they are known, consists of a married couple, family, or two single adults who move into a complex and work with management to assist them in building community and serving residents. The teams receive a free apartment and commit about 10 hours a week per team member to the community.

As unpaid staff they welcome new residents, plan social functions, and care for residents in times of need. And in the process they uncover spiritual needs that can be met by being involved in a Christian fellowship within the housing complex.

This is what Louis has to say. “I’m trying to help people see the value of saving gas and staying closer to home and getting to know their neighbors. And as they begin to slow down and get to know their community a little better, we plan to be there to share the gospel and invite them to church just a few steps from where they live.”

Read the full article here.

HT: Justin & Rebekah

Filed under other |