
about
the vision
THE CHURCH OF COLUMBUS
FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
To build a valuable platform that convenes the Church, collaborates around Jesus’ mission, and catalyzes the whole gospel for Columbus.
We are cultivating a “gospel movement” in our city. The driving passion is to experience a more unified church that follows in the way of Jesus to cultivate a flourishing city.

the story
ROOTED IN YEARS OF PREP AND PASSION
“For Columbus” is not a new idea but it is God’s idea. In Jeremiah 29:7 God calls His people to “seek the peace of the city” and many years later, Jesus prays in John 17:21 that we would experience the unity that he himself embodied as one with the Father.
Over decades, Christian men and women in Columbus have longed for, striven in, and prayed for a movement to arise where the gospel is saturating every space of the city. Different groups have emerged that saw a more collaborative church, leaving this generation a legacy of leadership and vision.
In 2019, the Catalyst team began gathering leaders from the marketplace, local congregations, and non-profits for a series of conversations about cultivating a gospel movement in our city. Current demographic changes were presented, siloed mission in the city was felt, and a deeper resolve for collaboration began to emerge. The four “Leadership Summit” gatherings became a foundation for stepping together into a new season of serving Columbus.
Today, the For Columbus staff team serves as a staffing resource to build the “For Columbus” space with the desire to build out new initiatives and cultivate collaboration for our city.
the connection
SPIRIT OF AGREEMENT
In 2014 over a dozen Columbus pastors from various denominations, networks, and backgrounds took a retreat and mapped out a simple theological vision for WHY we feel burdened to work together for our city. After many edits and hundreds of conversations, we have Columbus’ “Spirit of Agreement” that we hope will serve to draw Christ’s Church throughout the City together.
In partnership with For Columbus, we are a Gospel community that is a visibly united and sustainable outworking of the Holy Spirit. As unique congregational ministries, specialty ministries, and marketplace ministries, we commit to the transformation of our city by sharing and proclaiming Jesus Christ, pursuing justice and reconciliation, presenting a faithful public witness, demonstrating biblical generosity, and building authentic relationships across all cultural boundaries.
We affirm a Gospel community that is rooted in the whole counsel of God, consistent with the Gospel foundation of the first disciples and other historical city-wide Christian expressions, which is:

CHRIST-CENTERED
We proclaim the life, death, resurrection, and return of the Lord Jesus Christ by faithfully living out the Gospel in word and in deed.

CHURCH-DRIVEN
We mobilize congregations and communities of believers to carry out the Great Commission as the people of God gathered and deployed in the city.

DISCIPLE-LED
We encourage Christ-followers in all spheres of relationship, ministry, and influence with vision, passion, and resources.

CITY-REACHING
We collaborate with Christian leaders and city influencers to discern the city’s needs and work from a posture of humility to demonstrate Christ’s redemptive power.

KINGDOM-REALIZING
We serve to unify the various domains of culture and networks under the Kingship of Jesus Christ in order to experience the flourishing peace for all in Columbus.
"…Jesus is Lord and Christ” -Acts 2:14-41
gospel vision

the strategy
THREE C'S THAT LEAD TO A MORE FLOURISHING CITY.
Convene – Gathering pastors, non-profit directors, and marketplace leaders across denominations, races, vocations, etc to encourage wholistic gospel transformation. (Acts 2:42)
Collaborate – Working together around causes and communities to push out the whole gospel to the whole city. (Acts 2:47)
Catalyze – Stirring up innovative and valuable resources to solve issues that can’t be solved alone. (Acts 2:45)
the teams
Because this is a city-wide movement, it requires deep leaders from diverse backgrounds.
STAFF TEAM
NICK NYE
Executive Director
GERALD MURPHY
Network Director
URSULA KEMP
Director, Prayer Ministry
JEAN-PAUL TIENDREBEOGO
Network Director
KEVIN DUDLEY
Senior Advisor
SHARON KISIEL
Project Manager
CHRIS KELLEY
Senior Advisor
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SCOTT MALLORY
Highland Real Estate
DON WELLS
Wells CPA
BISHOP LAFAYETTE SCALES
Rhema Christian Center
DAVE DURELL
George Edward Durell Foundation
CHRIS WATKINS
COhatch
DR. WAYNE GORDON
Fairfield Medical Center
DWIGHT MONTGOMERY
National Christian Foundation of Ohio