Rooted
Week 6: Here We Are
April 26, 2023 • Jonathan Parnell
Two years ago we found ourselves in a world full of questions. All the uncertainties and insecurities of life — and just the reality of human brokenness — bombarded us. We all wondered: “What are we doing here?” As a church, we asked the question: “Where are we going?” Well, by God’s grace, we said now is the time we go from having been a church planted to becoming a church rooted. We wanted to renovate our building — our new home at 1524 Summit Ave — to help us deepen and extend our discipleship ministry in the days in which God has placed us. Therefore, we launched ROOTED, a vision and capital initiative to raise $5,000,000 by Sunday, April 30, 2023 … which is this upcoming Sunday … and we are so close. Against all odds, the remaining gap is only $122,000 — 97.5% of our goal. And with just a few days left, would you consider helping us close that gap? Would you give and pray that God provides the full amount? He is able to give life to the dead and call into existence things that do not exist. Here we are — almost there.
Week 5: Answered Prayer
April 18, 2023 • Jonathan Parnell, Kenneth Ortiz
The resounding theme of the Rooted initiative is God’s grace and faithfulness, which we’ve seen firsthand through answered prayer. Even before Rooted, answered prayer has been a big part of the story of Cities Church. In this episode of the countdown, Pastor Kenny and I reflect on the ways that God has magnified his glory in our church over the last several years. Mentions and keywords: June 2020, “where are we going?”, obstacles, 2 Corinthians 1:9, humbling, “burning up the phone,” the persistent widow, the life of faith C.S. Lewis, https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1959/01/the-efficacy-of-prayer/640673/ (January 1959)
Week 4: The Cities Institute
April 12, 2023 • Andrea Hoglund, Jonathan Parnell
The mission of Cities Church is to make disciples of Jesus, which includes increasing the number of disciples (multiplication) and deepening the formation of disciples (maturity). That deepening work happens through teaching — through an increased knowledge of God that leads to more surrender and greater love for Jesus and others. The aim of the Rooted initiative has been to help deepen and extend that teaching ministry, in part, by making our building more conducive to multiple classes and seminars. We’ve not been waiting around for the renovations to finish, though. Beginning last fall, we launched The Cities Institute and our second round of cohorts are in full steam this Spring. In this episode of the Rooted Countdown, Andrea Hoglund and I talk more about catechesis in the local church and our hope for these new cohorts.
Week 3: Construction
April 4, 2023 • Joel Button, Jonathan Parnell
This week for the Rooted Countdown Pastor Jonathan talks with Joel Button about construction. Joel has been part of the Renovation Task Force going back to the very beginning of this project. In this episode, they discuss that team’s process of choosing an architect and contractor, and then all the troubleshooting and navigation required along the way.
Week 2: A Generosity Story
March 29, 2023 • Kevin Kleiman, Jonathan Parnell, Brook Kleiman
As part of the Rooted Countdown, this week Pastor Jonathan talks with Pastor Kevin and Brook Kleiman about the history of Cities Church and God’s guidance over these past several years. They discuss the faithfulness of God throughout the changing circumstances of our lives, including how God calls us to live generously. The Kleimans share their own story of stepping out by faith to give, and the joy they’ve experienced.
Week 1: Becoming Rooted
March 24, 2023 • Jonathan Parnell
This video kicks off our Rooted Countdown with the first of 6 videos that will be coming out weekly over the next 6 weeks. Here are three ways that God, through you, might be pleased to give us the goal: 1) If you made a Rooted pledge in April 2021, would you fulfill that pledge? 2) If you have already fulfilled your pledge, if God has provided the means, would you consider giving above and beyond the original pledge? 3) If you have come to our church since the launch of Rooted, would you consider making a gift to help close the gap?
Now Becoming Rooted
“Preach the word.” From the first informational meetings in the basement of Bethlehem Baptist (2014), to Minnehaha Academy (2015-2017) and then Concordia University (2017-2018), to our new home at 1524 Summit Avenue, our highest commitment remains to God and his word. As we go from having been a church planted to now becoming rooted, our hope is in his truth.
The Commitment Card
