2025 Stories
Overcoming Our First Gospel Goodbyes
Our first six months of ministry in New York City culminated in an Easter gathering of 24 people—including our first new believer. Just two months later, however, ten regular attendees and six core team members were called by God to move out of the city.
In that season, the church leaned deeply into prayer and community. The Lord used this time of loss to unite us and renew our commitment to seek Him together.
"My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
And He did.
Downtown Citygroup Launch
It wasn't long after these gospel goodbyes that the Lord began adding to our number. Through several providential connections, we met young adults—mostly in their mid-20s—living in downtown Manhattan.
Though their stories differed, they shared a common thread: they had been disconnected from church and sensed a call to re-engage in a gospel-centered community.
From these relationships, we launched a new downtown Citygroup that now gathers 8–12 young adults each week for meals, fellowship, Bible study, and prayer.
New Covenant Members
Recently, we welcomed three new covenant members from our downtown Citygroup, with more expected in the coming months.
We are prayerfully aiming to reach 20 covenant members by Easter 2026.
New Worship Space & Citylight Kids Launch
For nearly a year, our worship gatherings met in our living room. While we cherished that season as a house church, we are grateful to now gather at Hephzibah House on West 75th Street.
This space has been a gift to our church, especially as it allows us to offer Citylight Kids. Each week, our children hear the gospel in ways designed just for them.
We're thankful for this provision and hopeful to outgrow the space and move to a morning service later this year.
100+ Meals & Gospel Conversations
Over the past year, our church has shared more than 100 meals together. As our church has grown, so has our commitment to prayer, hospitality, and personal evangelism.
Our members regularly pray for friends and coworkers who don't know Jesus and look for natural ways to share Christ:
- One member is reading the Gospel of John with three unbelieving friends
- Another is walking with a Columbia student struggling with addiction
- Others regularly participate in neighborhood outreach through shared meals
- A recent guest spent hours discussing the gospel with a covenant member at a local restaurant
Our ultimate desire is simple: to see many come to know Jesus as Lord through faithful presence, shared meals, and the clear proclamation of the gospel.
