Stonegate to use the Porch to reach younger adults – Midland Reporter-Telegram

Stonegate Fellowship leaders are attempting to connect with Midlanders in their 20s and 30s for a different type of worship and ministry

The plan is to start a Porch Live location in downtown Midland, beginning Tuesday.

The Porch is a program that started with a church in Dallas called Watermark. Every Tuesday, thousands gather in Dallas and even more at our livestream locations around the country, according to the website -- http://www.theporch.live. Lives are changing, friendships are forming, and many are finding hope they never had before. Through messages, music, and relationships with other young adults, our goal is to walk alongside you through the highs and lows of adulting. From talks about dating, relationships, anxiety and more, we are learning what it looks like to live a life full of purpose.

Stonegate Fellowship leaders said Midland will be the 14th location to join the livestream, and they want young professionals in the city no matter their church preference to come along. And in this case, they will meet the 20- and 30-somethings in a professional setting the Second Story Coworking Space, 223 West Wall St. suite 200 (above Cancun Grill in downtown Midland).

Doors will open at 7, said Chase Gilbert, the student pastor at Stonegate. The service begins at 7:15 (p.m.). We see this being a city-wide thing and wanted to capitalize with the push toward downtown, with Centennial Park. We see the city very intentionally making downtown the place to be. We want to take advantage of that and use that.

So, after work, get dinner, stay downtown and go to the Porch. We want it to be the place to be for that age demographic.

Gilbert talked about the younger men and women who are making Midland their homes. The Porch will help identify those issues that young singles face, including the culture struggle. The Porch also provides a ministry opportunity for those young adults that havent connected with a more traditional church institution. Single or married, the Porch should be a place to gather and help navigate lifes ups and down and to love and serve Jesus.

They know their target audience, Gilbert said. They will speak about things that a 20- or 30-year-old will face.

Now, it is a matter of getting the word out. Gilbert said they attracted more than 100 followers in their first full week on Instagram and have expectations of at least 50 or 60 who are interested.

We want there to be excitement across the city, Gilbert said. We want this to be a city-wide thing, not a Stonegate thing.

Gilbert added that movements happen with younger age groups, and those movements create people who emerge as the next leaders.

We will see God use this and raise future leaders to lead our city and state, Gilbert said.

Read the rest here:
Stonegate to use the Porch to reach younger adults - Midland Reporter-Telegram