Introducing Church of the Incarnation
A few weeks ago during the Advent season, my 7-year-old son asked me, “How could God who created the world be born as a baby?”
“Yes!” I replied excitedly! My son was wrestling with something profound, a reality that has inspired millions throughout centuries: the mystery of the incarnation.
The incarnation… In Jesus, God becomes human. God comes near. God, born among us as one of us. God with us. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
In the incarnation, the world encounters Jesus in a powerful and transformational way.
This is my prayer for Memphis — that Jesus would be embodied in the Church, and Memphis would encounter Jesus in a powerful and transformational way.
Many Memphians love Jesus deeply. Many Memphians haven’t thought much about him. Many Memphians have walked away from God after experiencing hurt or harm from a church or for some other reason.
May we all encounter Jesus in a powerful and transformational way.
This my dream for Church of the Incarnation. As we worship God together, we’re formed into the image of Jesus to embody Jesus to the world — worship, formation, mission. Encountering Jesus and being changed by him for the good of our neighbor.
Over the years God has grown in me a love for Jesus, a love for the Church, and a love for Memphis. In particular, over the last few years, I’ve encountered God in fresh and deep ways through the riches of the Anglican tradition.
I heard someone say something recently that resonated with me. He commented about his love for the Anglican tradition and his love for a particular place. “It’s like I have these two close friends that I really want to connect. They’d be so good together!”
Yes! That expresses what’s been stirring in my heart these last few years. I’ve come to love this rich, deep Church tradition often called “The Anglican Way,” and I really want to connect these friends of mine: the Anglican tradition and the people of Memphis. I think they’ll be so good together!
So over the last year, I’ve been walking through the church planting discernment process with the Anglican Diocese of the South. And we finally said “Yes!” to a call that God has been stirring in me for a long time — to plant an Anglican church in Memphis.
So what’s next?
Over the next few months, I'll share more about our vision, next steps, the Anglican tradition, and more. Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected.
Please pray. Pray for our family and for this new work. Pray for the people God will raise up to be a part of it.
Our family is moving back to Memphis this summer. Soon after that, we’ll start meeting together with a Church Plant Core Team. If you’re interested in hearing more about what participating on that team will look like, let me know!
We’re also raising money for this church plant. Find more information about how to partner with your finances.
I’m eager to join in this journey with you!
Drew+
