about
the vision
THE CHURCH OF COLUMBUS
FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
For Columbus is a sacred space for the whole Church to Collaborate, Convene, and Contribute to shaping what is called 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
We, the Church of Columbus, affirm a Gospel community that is a visibly united and sustainable movement 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, and which is:
1
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.
2
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.
3
DISCIPLE-LED
We equip and encourage Christ-followers in all spheres of relationship, ministry and influence with vision, passion and resources.
4
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.
5
KINGDOM-REALIZING
We serve to mediate the presence of God in the world and the influence of God manifested in the various domains of culture for human flourishing.
"…Jesus is Lord and Christ” -Acts 2:14-41
gospel vision
We affirm a Gospel community that is guided by the whole counsel of God and consistent with the lived-out convictions of the early church, which prioritizes:
UNIFYING FAITH
AUTHENTIC COLLABORATION
WHOLE-LIFE DISCIPLESHIP
BIBLICAL GENEROSITY
FLOURISHING PEACE
gospel values
Acts 2:42-47
the strategy
THREE C'S THAT LEAD TO
FIVE FLOURISHING INDICATORS
Collaborate – Working together in word and deed to push out the whole gospel to the whole city. (Acts 2:47)
Convene – Gathering together across denominations, races, vocations, etc to encourage wholistic gospel transformation. (Acts 2:42)
Contribute– Giving together with our time, talent, and treasure to serve beyond the whole city. (Acts 2:45)
the teams
Because this is a city-wide movement, it requires deep leaders from diverse backgrounds.
CITY ADVOCATES
All Pastors, Marketplace leadership, Non-Profit directors who are committing together to address the present needs of the city with the good news of Jesus. Embodying the Spirit of Agreement and represented by a smaller body the “Council of Advocates”.
CO-MISSION
RESOURCE CENTER
An empowered team developing and funding a platform to financially fuel initiatives, personnel, and the work of the movement.
STAFF TEAM
SCOTT MALLORY
Chairman of the Board
DOUG FRANCK
Director, Discipleship + Equipping
GERALD MURPHY
Director, Community Development
ADAM WARD
Director, Marketplace Engagement
KEVIN DUDLEY
Senior Advisor
JEAN-PAUL TIENDREBEOGO
Director, Mission Advancement
RACHEL WILLIAMSON SMITH
Equipping and Training Developer
NICK NYE
Executive Director
CHRIS KELLEY
Consultant
URSULA KEMP
Director, Prayer Ministry
SHARON KISIEL
Project Manager
COUNCIL OF ADVOCATES
KITTY ALLEN
President of Primemovers; Builder of Leaders and Teams at Built to Lead
TOM THOMPSON
Founder of The Refuge
RYAN LOWERY
Lead Pastor of Dwell
BISHOP LA FAYETTE SCALES
Senior Pastor at Rhema Christian Center
SCOTT MARIER
Executive Director of W.A.R.M.
BISHOP TIMOTHY CLARKE
Senior Pastor at First Church Columbus
MIKE YODER
Lead Pastor of Grace Polaris Church
SCOTT MALLORY
CEO of Highland Real Estate and founder of Catalyst For Columbus