In this episode, we talk with Kyle Morris who is the Lead Pastor of Revive Church in Arvada, CO. We hear about his church's decision to stay where they were and seek the shalom of their neighborhood rather than move to a different (and wealthier) part of the city. This decision led them to purchase an entire shopping center and redevelop it to house the church, several community service nonprofits, and businesses.
In this episode, we talk with Kyle Morris who is the Lead Pastor of Revive Church in Arvada, CO. We hear about his church's decision to stay where they were and seek the shalom of their neighborhood rather than move to a different (and wealthier) part of the city.
This decision forced the church to deal with a problem of too much space through the acquisition of a shopping center, and then radically re-thinking how they used all of the space. Rather than starting with needs within the church, they asked questions about needs within the neighborhood. And what they discovered was that their neighborhood needed 1) childcare, 2) workforce development, 3) affordable housing, and 4) new business incubation.
This process led the church to redevelop the shopping center into an exciting project called The Bridge where they partner with other local organizations to help meet some of the city's identified needs. Kyle talks about the challenges of leading a church while also leading a number of initiatives. He discusses finding a balance between investing in the neighborhood where you live and where your church is located. And, he talks about the challenge of adapting while staying mission focused with changing circumstances.
Episode Contributors
Kyle Morris, Lead Pastor of Revive Church
Access more Show Notes with pictures and resources related to this episode.
More information about this podcast and helpful church and urbanism resources can be found on The Embedded Church website.
Related Resources
The Bridge - The shopping center owned by Revive Church that has been revived physically and is home to thriving for-profit and non-profit organizations that are collaborating and working to serve vulnerable families.
Beyond Home - A nonprofit whose mission is to provide a comprehensive approach for families to become self-sufficient for life
Marsh Collective - A team of consultants that works with leaders, companies, patrons, and developers to help clarify vision for their city, business, or team
Lionheart Children's Academy - A nonprofit Christian organization committed to excellence in early childhood education
CrossPurpose - A non-profit organization abolishing relational, economic, and spiritual poverty through career and community development
Colorado Foundation for Conductive Education - A nonprofit organization that offers an intensive, holistic alternative approach to traditional therapy for individuals with motor disabilities
"Churches Don’t Have to Be Lousy Stewards. Here’s Proof" Story of Revive Church by Amy Sherman and Jacob Baldwin in Common Good Magazine: Issue 11, May 2023
Canoeing in the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger
Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon
Church Unleashed by Frank R. Tillapaugh
- Proximity
- Placemaking
- Affordable Housing
- Shalom
Show Credits
Hosted and Produced by Eric O. Jacobsen and Sara Joy Proppe
Edited by Adam Higgins | Odd Dad Out Voice Productions
Theme Music by Jacob Shaffer
Artwork by Lance Kagey | Rotator Creative