MISSION STATEMENT

To be a multicultural, multi-lingual, multigenerational community that strives to live out the radical mission of Jesus in the Eden neighborhood and beyond.

CORE VALUES

We believe rest is required for the restoration of our world. In rest, we claim the practice of sabbath, and reject the speed and consumerism our current culture prioritizes. Because it’s hard to rest without a safe place to sleep, we operate two shelters that give 120 of our unhoused neighbors space for safe rest every night. Because raising kids is hard to do alone, our daycare and kids ministries give parents and caregivers opportunities to rest and remember we’re not in this alone. Because life’s routines have a tendency to become a little too mundane, our theater invites all to come, rest and restore. Because some of us face specific obstacles, our recovery ministries help individuals maintain their journey towards restoration. And because ensuring rest for one another can tempt us to forget it for ourselves, in weekly worship we reconnect and remember what it is we’re made for.

In the long tradition of prophets, we believe imagination is required to envision the world God intends for us. We engage with political, ecclesial, economic realities in seeking concrete solutions to the world’s problems here and now. But more than that, we commit ourselves to imagining a new and different way - a way more often led by the young than the experienced, by artists instead of experts, born out of “what if” instead of “what we did before…” In all we do, we commit ourselves to investing in those who dream, and invite all our community into imaginative solutions.

We believe we belong to each other, and we belong to God. Therefore we claim that you, (yes you) with your unique background, specific race and ethnicity, your economic reality, gender and sex identity, your language, political persuasion, spiritual inclination, your age and stage of life - you belong here. Instead of “no matter who you are,” we claim - it is because of who you are, you in all your majesty and messiness, that you already belong.  We reject any understanding of scripture that claims otherwise. We reject any interpretation of Christ that hurts instead of heals this belonging. You belong. And this belonging, it doesn’t entitle us to perks. This is a belonging that invites us into the work.  So we may ask you to set the table, to water the plants, to make sure there’s enough lemonade. We belong to each other, and this is good news, for we only reach God’s promised day together.

Shalom is a Hebrew word that means “peace,” but a peace that is bigger than individual persons. Shalom points to our systems, our relationships, the land we exist on and in. Despite all evidence to the contrary, we believe this shalom is possible. Therefore, we lament the reality of food insecurity, while operating a food pantry that serves 500+ families 4 days a week, and tending the land that grows our food in our gardens/tiny farms, and housing our neighborhood’s favorite grocery store on our campus. We lament the current housing crisis, while sheltering those in immediate need, and finding permanent housing for our guests through case management, and providing transitional housing in our tiny homes. We lament the loneliness of our current culture, while providing opportunity for young people to encounter one another in ways that are real in youth ministries, and making space for authentic connection in community groups, and bridging language barriers in bilingual ministries. Beyond the illusion of simple solutions, we seek a wholeness that runs deeper, and pursues peace for all.

All we do, all we are, is wrapped in faith that is radical and real. Faith is both our “why” and our “how.” It’s our starting point, tossing us from comfort and complacency, compelling us to engage with our community in more and deeper ways. And we believe, if we do this well, faith will be our last breath, calling us to give ourselves away, again and again despite the risk, in the trust that if God keeps calling us, God will keep equipping us.