Vision for Center City

We are committed to building a comprehensive ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that brings a kingdom presence to every level of the culture of Center City and transforms both people and culture for Christ.

When we talk about ministry, it is easy to think about leaving our regular daily activities and going to a set place to do a particular thing for a defined period of time. But God has placed all of us in relationships, locations, and vocations where He calls us to be round-the-clock ambassadors of His redemptive and transforming grace. This means that every dimension of human life is a forum for ministry.  Thus, ministry is not so much a duty to be done as it is living life in a gospel-centered community that lovingly points all people to Christ in all things.

We are committed to a ministry that is as extensive as the effects of Adam’s sin, and our goal is a comprehensive, cultural transformation of the city to the glory of God. Sin has corrupted everything in life – government, education, medicine, the arts, business, family relationships, and friendships. The gospel not only redeems souls but it has an all-inclusive transforming power in lives, culture, and communities. As those redeemed by the blood of Christ we should settle for nothing less!

Although sometimes we might think our lives are the result of our choices, the truth is that we serve a sovereign God who intentionally places us in particular vocations, neighborhoods, and relationships – and He never gets a wrong address! In all the challenges of daily city life, our loving Lord is calling us to incarnate the glorious gospel of Christ in such a way that people are drawn to Christ in us.  This requires an intentional, proactive, 24/7 approach to saturating our “place” with the love and presence of Christ.

Not only is Philadelphia ethnically and culturally diverse, but the juxtaposition of cultures often occurs in close proximity. Center City also offers an enormous amount of public life: 630 public parks and spaces, like Rittenhouse Square, where all different kinds of people gather for conversation and recreation. We must, therefore, seek to form relationships with everyone who lives, works, and participates in the neighborhoods of Center City. As we become more involved in people’s lives, we will have natural opportunities incarnate the gospel, and in turn saturate Center City with the presence of Christ.

The gospel declares that the kingdom is here because the King has come; therefore, we must repent and believe. By “repentance” we mean a radical change in the heart that leads to radical change in a person’s daily life. Because King Jesus has come and is redeeming His people from their bondage to sin, radical personal, communal, and cultural change can and will happen. We want to be instruments of His redemptive work as He transforms Center City, Philadelphia.