After talking about the mysterious “Passion Church” on my blog since last summer, I finally attended the first meeting of Passion City Church, a new church being started by Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, Nathan and Christy Nockels, and Matt Redman (AKA the Passion Team).
After hearing and being a part of countless conversations discussing what kind of church it will be, why Atlanta and many other questions, I got to experience it firsthand…and it was a whole lot more simple than anyone was thinking.
First, the technicalities: it was at the Tabernacle. It used to be an old church that is now a venue…couldn’t have been a better place to kick it off. Louie Giglio spoke and even talked a lot about the church that used to meet there and how 100 years later, Passion City Church is now trying to fulfill the same mission and kicking it off there…very cool. Chris Tomlin and his band led, along with Nathan and Christy Nockels. Although, Louie spoke, he basically discussed the purpose of the church and casted their vision. In doing so, he laid out four points that tells what kind of church they will be:
- A church for God – very basic, but essential. God created the world and His story has been going on forever, so it’s obviously going to be about and for Him!
- A church for people – nonbelievers, believers, the homeless, the widows, the orphans, the needy, the rich…a church for all people.
- A church for the city – Atlanta is one of the biggest growing cities and this Passion team has a serious burden for the city and seeing God change it in a mighty way.
- A church for the world – however, this church isn’t just for those around Atlanta and will not get caught up in a little bubble. Rather, the church will extend it’s influence around the world.
We became a part in this tonight. Tonight our offering went towards helping a young, single mom working two jobs, whose car is on the verge of breaking down. We were able to buy her a new car and have some money left over to help with insurance and even a little gas! Then another part of the money went to funding a translation of Scripture for a people group in east Asia that doesn’t even have the Word in their own language yet.
What did I think about it all? I’ll have to share with you tomorrow…
I am excited for Louie and the Passion City Church that their first service was successful. Having attended Catalyst and 722 regularly, there is a powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in a gathering of 20 something’s in that type of environment! Louie, who is my favorite all time communicator, will do well in this new exciting venture.
Interestingly, there was another service going on at 7:00pm last night about a mile from the Tabernacle. It was held at Atlanta First Methodist in a venue equally impressive. At this service were few 20 somethings, no big write ups, fanfare, nor lines around the block, but the group included the homeless, the working poor, crack addicts, gays, prostitutes, transvestites, felons, blacks, whites, rich, poor, a few inner city dwellers and suburbanites with a heart for the inner city. The Passion that flowed last night was typical of any Sunday Night in the City at A1…. breathtaking as the broken became overwhelmed in the presence of Christ.
The lesson we have learned at A1 is simple ….. Urban ministry takes place in the streets. Sometimes it is scary, dirty and way beyond our comfort zone. Personally, I have discovered that it is one thing to worship God with the band, 2500 people and amazing AV. It is another thing to be standing alone on the Million Dollar Mile (not looking like everyone else) offering prayer to a known crack dealer. But that is exactly where Jesus calls us to go in the inner city if we truly want to make a difference.
Thanks Passion City Church for getting involved in the fight. At A1 we truly believe God is doing something to revitalize the spirit of the people in this city. We stand ready to help you in anyway we can in fulfilling God’s dream and plan for this city.
I went to the one at The Cobb Energy Center and it was awsome Chris Tomlin Gets so deep into the music. He’s Great