Holding Church In The Bar
LifeSpring Church challenges people’s typical view of what a church is. Twice a month they host an event at which they meet in a local bar.
This is a time when people can simply meet at a bar, have food, and converse amongst each other about sports, life, and most importantly, God. The meeting is called “church at a bar.”
Nate DeWard, pastor of LifeSpring Church, a Reformed Church in America congregation, said that meeting in a bar “started in order to have discussion with people interested about God in an environment in which they feel comfortable.”
LifeSpring is part of the Church Multiplication Initiative’s Florida Kingdom Enterprize Zone (KEZ), which was formed by the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America as a way for the denominations to share resources to plant new churches.
The leaders of LifeSpring Church, which is located in the Tampa, Fla., area, believe that church can take place anywhere because God’s spirit and his people are everywhere.
This “church at a bar” ministry, which started this past April, used to be a monthly event. However, starting inSeptember, per people’s request, LifeSpring started holding it twice a month.
Nate DeWard says that “it has really been effective because it is transforming small groups. It has been noted that people who typically would not go to small groups are going to this event, and are forming great relationships with Jesus Christ because of the fun and relaxed setting.”
Thus far the “church at a bar” has been bringing around 10 people every night, but LifeSpring is hoping to see that number grow as they themselves grow as a church.
In August of 2011 Nate and Andrea DeWard, along with their children, moved from West Michigan to the FishHawk Ranch area near Tampa to start LifeSpring Church.
Nate DeWard and his family
Nate DeWard and his family spent several months gathering a launch team, building relationships/networking, and finding a location.
“Initially it was a struggle,” he said. “There were quite a few churches already in the area. Before we could make a lot of progress with the plant it was necessary for us to show people that there was a need for a Reformed church that reached out through evangelism.”
DeWard found that support from various churches helped him through the struggles.
“The inter-denominational collaboration helped me to gain friends and make connections with other pastors around Florida. It also energized me and helped to keep me on fire about LifeSpring,” said DeWard.
He believes that it is important for the church to have a good theological ground and a holistic Christian worldview.
“As a Reformed witness, it is my job to bear testimony. Then it is God’s job to transform hearts,” said DeWard.
On Oct. 7, LifeSpring held their first public launch service, at Valrico Academy. The service was attended by 86 adults and 30 children. “It was a great turn out, and everything went smoothly,” said DeWard.
Andrea DeWard, Nate’s wife, was recently named the Florida KEZ’s Prayer Advocate. Currently she is working at forming a good, accurate directory of all intercessors.
She will also be responsible for updating the Florida KEZ FaceBook page.
If you are interested in learning more about LifeSpring Church as well as their “church at a bar” program please click here to be directed to their website.
