Why  Another  Church  in  Portsmouth?

The most frequent question that gets asked is “Why start another church in Portsmouth?” A quick drive down the streets of the downtown and midtown sections of Portsmouth will prove that there is “literally” a church on every corner. What Portsmouth has in church presence, it lacks in church potency. Even though churches are present, these contexts still have numerous problems that are very prevalent.

We’ve identified at least three major issues that need to be addressed.

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Family

It’s no secret that “the family” as we know it is in trouble. Especially in predominantly African-American communities, we are seeing an epidemic of fatherlessness that, to the best of our knowledge, is unparalleled.

​Here is where the gospel expressed through a local church can provide a solution.  Since the goal of the gospel extends far beyond just repairing the basic, individual family structure, the gospel now takes boys and girls that are fatherless and unites them (in Christ) with (1) their true Father, God (the one whom our earthly fathers were meant to point us to) and (2) provides them with a plethora of earthly fathers from various backgrounds as read in Mark 10:30.

The gospel therefore provides us with the fullest and truest sense of family.

Hope

Tragedy doesn’t ruin communities. Hopelessness in the midst of tragedy ruins communities, because where there is no hope there is nothing to anchor a community when tragedy strikes.

With all the issues of race and injustice that have made the news across the country in just this past year, we have seen what takes place when tragedy transpires in a context that is hopeless.  Riots, crime, violence, and rage seem to be the only recourse.  We’ve seen firsthand that, in spite of our best efforts, tragedies will continue to occur in urban communities like Portsmouth.  While we want to do all that we can to rebuild the community and minimize the tragedies that occur, we recognize that the gospel never promises us a trouble-free existence.  Rather, the message of the gospel provides us with a sufficient and enduring hope in the midst of present and pending tragedies.

We have full confidence that the gospel has the power to change anyone in any place at any time. 

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Dignity

In impoverished and marginalized communities, the proposed solutions have largely been for outsiders to insert themselves and provide for that which is lacking. But, the gospel offers so much more than material provision and mercy ministry—it offers the restoration of our dignity.

Inherent in each human being is dignity that comes from being created in God’s image. Therefore we are equipped with a unique capacity to relate to God in a way that no other earthly creature can.  Scripture shows us that God initiates relationship with us and then calls us to imitate Him, to walk how He walks. But if our aim is merely to supply people’s needs and call that the “gospel,” we end up robbing our brothers and sisters of the true joy that God wants to give to them.  True joy isn’t found in merely receiving, but in giving.  Acts 20:35 – “You know the words of our Lord Jesus, that it is more blessed to give than to receive.”  Transformation is the aim.  Turning pickpockets into philanthropists and the under-served into servants of Christ and others.

This is so much better than mercy ministry, it’s a restoration of dignity.