We cannot undertake long-term gospel renewal in New York City without you.
The goal for this ministry year is for Redeemer congregants to be less consumers of ministry and more producers of ministry; to perceive ourselves as not just residents, but as being “sent” into the city.
We are asking you to wrestle with this vision and specifically rise by 1) faithfully and proactively discerning God’s calling in your life and 2) actively engaging the city with the gospel in unique ways that you can concretely point to at the end of the year.
See how New Yorkers are committing to rise where they are.
David & Sarah Hawkins, with Johnny & Barrett
“We’re from Texas, and honestly, we never thought we’d be in New York as long as we have or now be raising kids in the city. But we are so excited about the vision of God renewing New York through people who are willing to invest in it. We want to be among those who aren’t just focused on what the city can give us, but what we can give to the city. For us, we feel called to do that by being community-builders. We don’t just mean being in a Redeemer Community Group. We want to use our apartment, our time, our family relationships to encourage community in meaningful ways. We hope to reflect the gospel simply by drawing near to people, as God graciously draws near to us.”
Mark & Cyndie Stambaugh, with Mairwen
“Raising a family in New York City is both a gift and a challenge. We are so grateful for the prayers many have said for our family. We would like to rise up to embody the gospel in a new way by lifting up other families in daily prayer—specifically one family per day. That would be 365 families in a year! We want to love people better through prayer, as well as encourage and exhort other families to not just survive in this city, but to serve the city we love, for God’s glory.”
Silas Farley
“I am a dancer with the New York City Ballet and I also teach at the School of American Ballet. God has given me a unique opportunity to be both a performer and a leader. I am committed to mentoring younger dancers in more intentional ways that reflect the grace and patience of God. I want to look people in the eye, to encourage, to uplift—all as God shows me how to be a servant leader. I also want to help embody mercy and generosity within the competitive, performance-based culture of professional dance. I believe dance can fundamentally be a place of hope.”
Brett & Tina Gaudin
“We’re moving into a new apartment, and we will dedicate it as a place of intentional hospitality. For us that means not just inviting people into our home, but into our life. By inviting people around our table—for relationship, encouragement, to let people know they are valued—we hope to embody what it means to love our neighbor in ways that reflect how Jesus likewise loves us. We are excited to truly get to know and serve our neighbor in response to the Spirit’s leading.”
Gary Bowler
“I’ve lived in New York for 45 years now, and I know how easy it is for people to get lost or overlooked here. But I want to follow Jesus’ example of seeking people—of letting people know they are not alone. I have been learning how fully accepted I am by God through Jesus Christ. I am committed to extending that acceptance and love by serving as a caregiver to people who need it. There’s an elderly woman in my building who is alone. I am committing to regularly check in on her.”
In Seon & Jane Hwang, with Evelyn
“We are making a new commitment to draw near to the poor and marginalized in this city. Rather than pass by, we will engage and pray daily for the homeless men and women in our neighborhood. We will also increase our financial support and volunteer time with Hope for New York. We want mercy and justice to be part of our lives in practical ways. God’s heart is for the vulnerable; we pray He can use us to express that—and reflect more of His goodness in this city.”
Felicia & David Grant, with Kathryn & Daniel
“We are so excited about a vision of new churches being planted all over New York City. We know we need to think about whether God is calling us to be part of planting a new church so that more families can be blessed as we have been by our church family. If we really want to see a gospel movement take root in New York City, we know we need to pray for the leaders of new churches—and be open to serving with them.”
Charles Westfall & Helen Kim
“More than ever before, we are excited to actively invite our friends, families, and neighbors who do not know Christ to hear the gospel at Redeemer. We want to invite them to see gospel community in action. But we also want to live our lives as an invitation to the gospel, simply by how we see people, serve people, and live day to day. We are all in.”
Megan Ksionda
“From leading a Redeemer Community Group, I know the power of people coming together in regular ways. I want to start making dinners and hosting people in my home once a month—and invite both my Community Group and my non-Christian friends to come. I’m excited to bring different people together around a shared table, and see how relationships might grow. In the process, I want to lean into what it means to live a public faith and practice hospitality, all as part of the gospel working in my life.”
Kary
“I’m going to commit to volunteering twice a month with a Hope for New York affiliate.”
Ryan & Adrienne Israel
“We believe that part of gospel renewal in our own lives—and in this city—is tangible expressions of mercy and justice. Through Redeemer, we’ve become involved with Hope for New York and their affiliate ministries across New York City. We’re eager to deepen our involvement, and to invest not just our time but our hearts in advancing mercy and justice in practical ways—in our neighborhood and beyond.”
Daniel Sottosanti
“I’m excited about the ways I can use my love for tennis to also hopefully live out the gospel. I’m getting actively involved in a tennis league that uses tennis as a tool for youth development and community building in underserved neighborhoods in Brooklyn. I hope that by giving my time—as well as by how I teach, play, and interact on the court—I can be someone whom God uses as an agent for hope in the lives of young people who need it.”
Nathan & Elise
“We commit to pray each week for each one of the students we mentor through Operation Exodus.”
Lolita
“I just moved into a new apartment and I’m going to invite both Christians and non-Christians for meals in my home.”
Kevin
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