Missional Communities (MCs) launch the week of June 24, but you can sign-up for your selected MC beginning this Sunday, June 10, and continuing for the next three weeks through the 24th. You can sign up before or after the gatherings or by emailing the MC leader.

MCs will meet in a large group twice a month; those days and times have been added to each description below. As you make your final decision on an MC, read again through the vision statements, spend time in prayer, and choose based on which mission focus God lays on your heart to love, serve and share the gospel of Jesus with.

Karis at Mizzou MC

Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Billy Glosson - glossonbilly@gmail.com

With over 33,000 students, the University of Missouri is the epicenter of culture in Columbia. Mizzou is home to important schools (Law, Medicine, Journalism, etc.) that impact not only our city, but even the rest of the nation. There are so many students with so much potential to affect culture. Imagine seeing lives radically redeemed by the power of the gospel. Imagine the local, national, and even global impact. Our prayer is to see this very thing happen in our midst.

Moberly MC

Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Daniel Glosson - dan.g@karischurch.org

Moberly is a city that has a clear need for the gospel. It is impoverished in significant ways (financially, spiritually, etc.). There is no one better to bring the gospel message to those areas than the local church. We desire to be an extension of Karis in Moberly by creating a community that will meet the primary needs of that area through Bible study, community service, social gatherings and more.

Music and Art MC

Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Bobby Schembre - bobby@karischurch.org

Imagine artists from all over Columbia worshiping Jesus together. There are whites, blacks, Latinos, and Asians, photographers, singers, musicians and painters. They were all drawn to Jesus by the generosity, creativity and presence of a small group of artists who saw the value of genuinely engaging Columbia’s art scene. The group is beloved in the art scene as advocates and friends. This gave them a voice to share the gospel with many artists who are now using their creativity to glorify their Creator and engage other non-believing artists. This is the vision for the Music and Art Missional Community.

Worley Street Park Neighborhood MC

Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
Kevin Larson - kevin@karischurch.org

The areas surrounding Worley Street Park in central Columbia are some of the most impoverished in our city. Crime and drug abuse are rampant. Family brokenness is everywhere. There are many deep needs. We proclaim a gospel, though, that can meet that neighborhood’s deepest needs. Only as that message penetrates hearts can outward, societal change be seen. Imagine young couples and families moving into that area to seek that transformation. Imagine people from more affluent areas south of Worley Street crossing that line to seek that neighborhood’s good. Picture community carnivals in the park, vacant lots turned into gardens, and needy parents learning life skills. Picture Scout troops, sports teams, and Bible studies for kids. Picture people embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ and experiencing comprehensive change. Imagine racial reconciliation and diversity that magnifies that gospel. This is our prayer for the Worley Street Park Neighborhood.

Ridgeway Neighborhood MC

Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Ryan Davis - ryanwd43@gmail.com

Imagine a hurting, inner-city neighborhood hearing, seeing, and experiencing the good news daily. Imagine the Ridgeway Neighborhood counting on a group of Christians to humbly serve and pray for them. The reality of this gospel paired with Christian service could empower children and teens to become community leaders at the Intersection, impact older people and those with special needs at Oak Towers, and help Latinos learn English at Centro Latino. Imagine an abandoned lot turned into a community garden and arts camp for kids. This is the picture of redemption that we grasp tightly to, and want for all of the hearts of the broken. This is good and glorifies God. This place, the Ridgeway Neighborhood, is waiting for you and me to step up, commit, and live out the gospel.

Re(new) MC

Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.
Ryan Worley - ryan.s.worley@gmail.com

The vision of the Re(new) Missional Community is to promote the development of resources and systems that help connect low-income families to the support they need. This community-wide approach focuses on the “big picture” of change for the community and works to establish long term solutions to local needs. The Re(new) MC will work through careful processes of understanding the needs of low-income families and engaging the community on multiple levels to address those needs. By promoting the gospel in both word and deed, Re(new) will serve the community and proclaim that “Jesus is making all things new.”

North Central Neighborhood MC

Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Rob Gaskin - rob@karischurch.org

The North Central Neighborhood is a historical residential and commercial neighborhood located in downtown Columbia. This neighborhood has a rich history and is full of diversity. To the south, the neighborhood is home to Columbia’s most recognized up-and-coming commercial zone in the North Village Arts District. The neighborhood is one of seven federally targeted residential areas of Boone County in need of economic renewal. At Karis, we want to go beyond economic renewal. We want to see spiritual renewal as we take seriously Jesus’s command to love our neighbors. By God’s grace we will be a Missional Community of neighbors on mission for our neighbors. Together we will worship, celebrate, and rebuild.

I intended to publish this on the day of our actual visit to Tohoku but had difficulties with iMovie. Here is a short video in that earthquake/tsunami-devastated region.

I’m going (Kevin), along with Dan and Lori Glosson, Angi Haeny, and Josh Rice, to Japan this Sunday. We’re exploring some partnerships there for Karis Church. This is primarily a vision/prayer trip. Would you pray for us as we go?

Karis Church has a new website launching soon.

But we also are beginning a reengineering and rebranding of our small groups. Beginning at the end of June, Karis will transition to Missional Communities, groups of 25-50 people led by called, qualified leadership teams, that seek to take the gospel of Jesus to a defined people group or place in our city. Those groups will be announced for everyone this Sunday morning at the Karis worship Gathering. Get excited. MCs are coming!

Check out this latest post on The Resurgence!

He is risen! Join us tomorrow, April 8th, at 11 a.m., as we gather to celebrate Christ’s victory over death. We’ll sing songs, hear the Bible proclaimed, take the Lord’s Supper, and witness baptisms. Karis meets at 606 Ridgeway, inside the Calvary Baptist building, just off Worley street, between Garth and West. Please join us. Celebrate! He is risen indeed!

Tonight (Friday, April 6th) at 7 p.m. at 606 Ridgeway (Calvary Baptist Building on Worley), we’ll be gathering together to remember the death of Christ. We’ll spend time in prayer, confession, singing, listening to God’s word, and gathering around the Lord’s table. This is one of the best nights of the year in Karis Church. This is Good Friday. It’s good because Christ died, bringing us forgiveness for our sins, putting death to death for us. Will you join us for tonight’s Good Friday Gathering? You’ll be glad you did.

Are They Ripe for the Gospel? I’ll never forget something that James MacDonald said at an Acts 29 Quarterly last year. He said that we spend too much time in “green apple” evangelism. What did he mean? We have people we’ve befriended, that we want to become Christians, and we hang out with them, asking God to give us opportunities to share the gospel. We often do this for a very long time. Now, there’s certainly a place for that, right? Of course! But, MacDonald argues that those are often “green apples.” They’re not ripe. And all around us, there are people who are ripe, who want to hear about Jesus. And we miss them because we’re only hanging out with the ones who aren’t. And the red apples are usually not as cool or desirable as the green ones. Who around us are we missing who are ripe for the gospel? Jesus said the fields are ready for harvest. Let’s look and reap.

I took a week off from our series in Exodus today to cast some vision for Karis in 2012. The audio is here, while the manuscript can be found here. We are asking the Lord for some bold, specific things this Easter. Check out the sermon, as well as the images below. Would you pray with us? Would you act in faith with us, as well?