A Real-Life Story

Providencia Church translates the essence of the gospel message and looks for the seat at the table in the marketplace of their city in order to reach the unchurched. Here is Providencia Church’s story shared with me by Pastor Keith Case in a written interview.

Providencia was born in West Palm Beach, Florida out of what’s known in the counseling world as a process group. A concept similar to this, coined by Dan Allender in his book, To Be Told, is a Story Group. Story Groups are an integral part of the framework of the church, and they use them to welcome people into a space of vulnerability and true connection.

The grace of God provides freedom to explore individual stories, even amongst the greatest wounds and tragedies. The church history magnifies the name, ‘Providencia,’ which was a ship in the late 1800’s that grounded on the shore of Palm Beach, spilled its cargo of coconuts, and created a colony of palm trees that eventually led to the planting of West Palm Beach.

Providencia does not own a place for worship or for our offices. They rent space from a church on Sunday nights. During the week, the staff meets with people in local businesses and spaces around the city for story groups and exploration groups, with an intention of listening to the needs and dreams of West Palm Beach’s residents.

Providencia is a community of priests who believe they have been called, above all else, to listen to their city. Out of these efforts they have been invited to partner with private and governmental organizations to help unearth the city’s soul. One of the initiatives born out of this work is UniverCity.

As a non-profit, UniverCity connects local artists, businesses, and civic leaders in various work sectors to put on educational classes from finances and entrepreneurship to the arts and health. In the same vein, the church’s worship team created Paradise Hymns, a collective of members that writes music echoing our desire to see God’s Kingdom come in West Palm Beach.

Translating the Gospel for Unchurched Communities

Every community has a culture, or at least a subculture, with its core beliefs that define it. The transformation process of cultures is interrupted throughout history and often spirals downward. From the opening chapters of Genesis, throughout the period of the Judges, Israel’s monarchy, and all the way through today’s postmodernism, the human continuum responds in depravity. Yet, in God’s redemptive act of continually reaching out to cultures, transformation becomes possible.

The church has grasped the significance of individual salvation and transformation, but often does not intentionally pursue groups of people and entire cultures. An effective missional approach must include corporate influence on a culture.

In many ways, Providencia is a community of artists. Out of a congregation of 120 people, you’ll find four to five poets, over ten actors and writers, four to five dancers, and around ten unique bands. They have sought to embrace those who can be found on the margins of society and those without a faith background.

Reflection

The long term vision that God has given Providencia Church is to welcome the city’s residents out of their own personal Egypt, out of shame and hiding, and into freedom in Christ. Part of this journey is helping people see how the Gospel applies not just to their personal lives, but to their neighborhoods and industries, too.

As the church begins to embrace and influence the communities, they must be open to all types of people. The desire for church is quickly fading, and vanishing into the abyss. Staying within the walls is no longer an option, it is time that we stand with our communities to translate the transforming truth and power of the Gospel.

What are ways you can become involved within your community? What are strategies you could use to increase your influence in the market place?

An Excerpt from the book, “Church for Monday” by Dr. Svetlana Papazov.

Svetlana Papazov is Lead Pastor and Founder of Real Life Church, President/Founder of Real Life Center for Entrepreneurial and Leadership Excellence, a first of its kind model of church and business incubator that educates in entrepreneurship, leadership and faith praxis.