āJustin,ā a hedge fund worker weary of the financial treadmill, is about to jump into the unknown and into Godās hands.
He is part of City Grace Church in New York City.
āOur mission is sharing the ālifeā that is truly life,ā says Pastor Ben Spalink. āNew Yorkers find their sense of value in making lots of money.ā
Begun five years ago to reach the East Villageās educated professionals, City Grace, a Home Missions-supported partner, has 90 congregants who meet in a movie theater on Sunday mornings.
āThere were lots of churches around here, but not gospel-believing ones,ā says Spalink.
Six small community groups span at least three boroughs during the week. City Grace is youngāthe median age is 25āand its population ranges from students to upwardly mobile lawyers and white-collar professionals in the financial world such as Justin.
āWe have recent converts, those who became Christians through campus ministries, and those who grew up nominal or unchurched,ā Spalink says.
Several people have come to saving faith in Jesus Christ through City Grace. Justin was a believer already when he came to the church. āHe felt that money let him be his own God, but after coming to our church for awhile he realized this wasnāt true,ā said Spalink. āHe realized he was being led to take a big risk, quit his job, and see what God has in store. The Gospel gave him the courage to walk away.ā
About the Author
Lorilee Craker, a native of Winnipeg, Man., lives in Grand Rapids, Mich. The author of 16 books, she is the Mixed Media editor of The Banner. Her latest book is called Eat Like a Heroine: Nourish and Flourish With Bookish Stars From Anne of Green Gables to Zora Neale Hurston.