Transformation
is possible when we work together
CityChurch Network is a relational network of churches working together for the good of our cities
Each of us sees & experiences increasing pain & brokenness in our city.
Growing fear, anger, and violence
Fractured marriages and broken families
Persistent disparities in education and criminal justice
Barriers to essential health care and rewarding work
Rates of depression, loneliness, and suicide that have reached epidemic levels
Every day in our city, churches and leaders work toward change but are frustrated by fragmented & ineffective efforts to achieve it.
Through the Church, we got hospitals, orphanages, public education, prison reform, the abolition of slavery, the Red Cross, the Geneva Convention, and the Civil Rights Movement to name a few examples.
When churches worked together, they transformed the culture around them. And they became a beacon of hope that we could live and flourish as God intended.
But today, the Church is losing its relevance in people’s lives. A recent study by the Barna Group found that the number of practicing Christians in the U.S. has nearly dropped in half since 2000, from 45% to 25%. Currently, just one in four Americans is a practicing Christian.
In this new cultural landscape, the Church struggles with how to have influence and be an agent for change.
We bring churches together in three main areas.
For over 25 years, CityChurch Network has connected, equipped, and mobilized a diverse network of churches to show the love of Christ to their neighbors. In our network of over 70 churches, we bring churches together through:
Extraordinary Prayer
We help churches work together in prayer that is increasing, unceasing, and persevering.
Equipped Leaders
We help churches work together in equipping leaders who train leaders in establishing believers in the essentials of the faith
Flourishing Families
We help churches work together to build strong marriages, healthy families, and flourishing futures for youth
We love our city, and we believe it takes every church in the city to reach the city. That’s why we’ve been involved with CityChurch Network and the Arkansas Prayer Summit from the very beginning.
Bill Elliff Pastor, The Summit Church
In a culture where divisiveness is rampant, it was awe-inspiring to witness churches that don’t look alike come together in discipling, equipping, and commissioning leaders. What God started through this leadership initiative with CityChurch Network is exactly what Central Arkansas needs to expand the kingdom into broken and unengaged areas.
Adam Miller Missions Pastor, Geyer Springs FBC
I have known the CityChurch Network Leadership for more than twenty years. They have a proven track record of uniting churches for the good of the community. I highly recommend that every Christian leader connect with them to help bring significant transformation to their city and ministry.
Robert Lewis Pastor, Founder – BetterMan
The CityChurch Network was a critical part of getting The CALL launched in Arkansas. They brought church leaders together from varying denominations and locations to unite in the rallying cry for the Church to provide the needed foster and adoptive families for abused and neglected children.
Mary Carol Pederson Co-Founder, The CALL
There is power in unity.
Our culture is on a dark path. If we, the Church, remain silent and refuse to act now, we will hasten the decline and eventual collapse of our culture. The many problems we face may be too big for any one of us or any one church, but they’re not too big for all of us.
Right now, we, the Church, face a decision. We can turn away in retreat, or we can, like Jesus, pierce the dark places of our city with His light and truth. There is power in unity, and we can achieve far more together.
Connecting, Equipping, & Mobilizing Churches
Since 1998, CityChurch Network has been bringing together a diverse network of churches, enabling them to accomplish far more than they could individually while demonstrating the love of Christ in very practical ways:
Citywide events like ShareFest and CityFest
Strategic partnerships that address the community’s greatest needs, such as foster care and literacy
Key initiatives such as church/school partnerships and the Arkansas Marriage Initiative to strengthen and encourage families
When we work together, God’s power to change is unleashed in society.
Heaven meets earth in our city
God’s name is hallowed
Bold faith prayers are answered\
Leaders rise up to lead a new generation
Walls of division, fear, and anger fall
Broken marriages and families are healed and restored
Children have the chance to excel in education and life
Opportunity for good and dignified work is available to all
Laws are fair and protect people from harm
The vulnerable are seen and lifted up
Together we can achieve more.
Like the Church of the past, we can be a united force for good that changes the world around us. We can see God’s kingdom come and His will done here as it is in heaven.
All of this is possible when we become one Church in the city. Together, we can do this. And together, we can build a flourishing community!
Prayer
A movement of extraordinary prayer is underway to make our churches a house of prayer that reflects heaven here in Central Arkansas.
You can play a role in this movement by joining us for one or more of our prayer events.
Leaders
Our city needs equipped leaders who establish others in the essentials of the faith.
Regardless of where you are on your leadership journey, you and your church will benefit from our church-based leadership training.
Families
We need more builders in an age of negativity and criticism that tears down.
We need more people like you who work with others to build partnerships between churches and schools and build strong and healthy marriages.