Review of 2021

Giving for 2021

Unfortunately, as we reflect on the past year, we need to first acknowledge the pain that so many families are suffering these days.  Our knowledge of the Greek alphabet has moved from college fraternity names to Covid variations as we lose gatherings and even life to Omicron.  Our country alone has lost over 830,000 lives as I write this.  While we will acknowledge the good things God has blessed us with downtown for last year, it seems callous not to begin by giving our condolences for those so greatly impacted by Covid.

These days, DTPHX Church finds itself in conversations with many that are concerned for their life decisions.  Students that began their studies in 2019 for Criminal Justice (Police work), Health Care, Health Services, Law, Journalism and others are wondering if the world they knew when they started school will be the same world when they finish school.  The general question of whether they will even enjoy being in their professions often comes up.  Fortunately for us, life questions are fertile  ground for relationships and long conversations.

A lot of our time is spend strategizing and carrying people closer to Jesus.  Our best work is done Monday through Friday, not Sundays.  We purposely develop paths that intersect with the people that would otherwise, never darken the door of any church regardless of how many times someone invited them.  We want to point everyone towards a consistent, loving Savior who knows the future for us all.  To that end, we often involve our own dogs in these spaces to help initiate the conversations.  We've found that pups are a favorite therapeutic element to the weight of today's news.  Coffee runs a close second-place therapy in the race.   

Rather than invest in staff salaries and property upkeep, we are able to point some 70% of our budget towards ministry and missions.  It's not claiming to be a better path but it's an experiment how we can plant a church that speaks the language valued within this Roosevelt Community downtown.  Using open, shared spaces in the community, we have meetings, bible studies and worship.  We generously share coffee with scores of ASU students each week as a part of the conversations.  The dogs are often included in whatever we are doing in the community. 

One example of our relationships is the business owners of the many coffee shops within our square mile of ministry.  Each Thursday morning, several of us meet in one of the locally-owned coffee spots.  We're all developing ways to initiate conversations with those around us.  We know most of the owners and baristas by name which helps.  It's merely being strategic as we plan our schedules each week. 

Know that we appreciate the part you've played in helping us finding these relationships in the neighborhood.  And please remember how we thank our Heavenly Father for your financial generosity that has helped develop a sustainable model of ministry.