Dwell Reaches Diverse Group in Manhattan

Pete Armstrong grew up in the Pacific Northwest, attended college in the Midwest, and now pastors a church in the heart of New York City.

Dwell Church is nestled in a neighborhood between the homeless along the Bowery and the wealthier Nolita and SoHo.

“I like the diversity of people in New York City,” said Armstrong. “There is so much great music, art, movies, theater, food. There are all kinds of creative opportunities here.”

Dwell Church, launched Sept. 23, 2012, takes advantage of that creativity. The congregation meets on Sunday nights in a rented off-Broadway theater; bluegrass-style music encourages people to worship. Pastor Pete quotes from the New York Times, The Economist, and Vanity Fair, along with the Bible.

“I know I will preach to a dozen people with Ivy League educations, and a handful who have been homeless at a point in their lives,” said Armstrong. “I think God is calling me to be a scholar and a connector.”

Dwell Church, supported by a grant from Christian Reformed Home Missions, is reaching center-city Manhattan, which is about three percent evangelical—well below the national average.

The liturgical worship with communion each week appeals to a group ranging from baby boomers to New York University students, with a median age of 30.

Armstrong and his wife, Lily, web director for a boutique, host classes for seekers, lead small groups, and welcome 30 to 50 people to church each Sunday evening.

“There are so many people doing influential things in New York City, but so few are believers,” said Armstrong. “We wanted to see if God could use us to change that.”