How it all started...
Community Christian Church began in 1991 when Jeff and Laurie Butler decided to not live with any regrets and follow God's lead to start a new church in NYC. With a small band of believers they began creating a place where everyone had a place at the table regardless of their past, family background, or ethnicity. They found the gospel is just as powerful as it was two thousand years ago, and began to see lives changed as individuals met Jesus and began following him.
That was over 30 years ago, and since that time CCC has grown and gone through many changes, meeting in different locations of the city. The baton of faith and leadership was faithfully handed to the next generation of passionate Jesus-followers, and entrusted with a base of ministry within East Harlem.
That was over 30 years ago, and since that time CCC has grown and gone through many changes, meeting in different locations of the city. The baton of faith and leadership was faithfully handed to the next generation of passionate Jesus-followers, and entrusted with a base of ministry within East Harlem.
Expanding the vision...
CCC is a multi-ethnic and multi-generational church centered around the worship of Jesus Christ. Out of the overflow of our worship, comes passion with a plan for equipping believers to make disciples in East Harlem. We want to build a disciple-making movement: intentionally investing with a few, so that in the future many can be impacted by the Gospel.
Where we are headed...
We are still keeping it all centered around our worship of Jesus as Lord. But like his abounding love, our love is growing and becoming other-focused! So, we are engaging the culture--not hiding from it. God has given us a small space in the city, a lamp stand to place our light and shine. We want every believer to have access to the mission. Through discipleship relationships, creativity, hard work--and this space, Christ-followers are experimenting with ways to engage with those in our community who are not-yet-believers.
What are their ideas? Fine-art classes, tutoring, music lessons, reading programs, workshops, concerts, poetry-readings, food & clothing distribution, craft-night, open-mic, drama, game night, independent film screenings . . . and more. None of these things are intrinsically "Christian", but they are being carried out by people who are passionate about Jesus, who are learning to become gospel-fluent in all their interactions.
It all starts with our worship--knowing God shapes our identity as disciples. As we follow Jesus, we slowly grow to truly believe and know we are: loved, a part of the family, in the bigger story, and knowing we are sent!
What are their ideas? Fine-art classes, tutoring, music lessons, reading programs, workshops, concerts, poetry-readings, food & clothing distribution, craft-night, open-mic, drama, game night, independent film screenings . . . and more. None of these things are intrinsically "Christian", but they are being carried out by people who are passionate about Jesus, who are learning to become gospel-fluent in all their interactions.
It all starts with our worship--knowing God shapes our identity as disciples. As we follow Jesus, we slowly grow to truly believe and know we are: loved, a part of the family, in the bigger story, and knowing we are sent!
