So why would you want to check out a new church like Project Church?

I understand where you’re coming from.  I almost gave up on church myself.

When I look at the church in the Bible and the church I see today, they are often miles apart. A movement has been replaced with an institution.  Jesus’ command of “love one another” has too often been replaced by “judge one another.”  I could go on.

But what if I told you that the bad taste you have in your mouth about church was well-founded?  Instinctively you and I know that church should be something more meaningful- something true to the original design.   If you’ve ever experienced a community of friends who accept and care about you just as you are, then you’re closer to genuine church than those churches who merely go through the motions of empty religious rituals.

I can’t promise that Project Church will make all your wildest dreams come true.  But I can tell you this:  You can belong before you believe.  You can wrestle with doubts, explore who Jesus is, and take your next steps to the life you were meant to live.  You can connect to a church that won’t creep out your friends and also have a place to make new ones.   We will teach you the Bible in a way you can understand without beating you over the head with it.  We will help you discover why Jesus is such a big deal.  We will be an authentic community where no one stands alone.  We will be the church that Jesus had in mind. This is our project.

Consider this your invitation to Project Church.  Our very first gathering is on Saturday night, September 6 at 6pm.  We’re meeting at the recently-expanded Alternative Fuel Coffee House in downtown Rapid City, SD.   It will last about an hour and will be a time to connect with other people, groove to some music, and hear a message that’s relevant to your life.

If you have a question about the church, you can email projectchurch@gmail.com.  You can also browse the rest of our website and find out more about this new church coming to Rapid City, SD.

Hope to meet you in September!

Peace,

Jason

Side note: If you’re part of another church and you’re offended, I apologize. I’m not saying all churches are bad.  There are some great ones- even in the Black Hills.

That’s one of the most frequently asked questions we get about Project Church.  We haven’t been able to give a specific answer except to say that we will ultimately meet in various venues of different types, sizes, and vibes.

But now, we can officially announce our first venue, date, and time.

Project Church kicks off on Saturday night (6pm), September 6 at Alternative Fuel Coffee House in downtown Rapid City.

We’re pumped about this for a number reasons:

1. Alternative Fuel recently expanded.  The place is pretty much ready-made with sound, lights, projection, seating, storage, vibe, and more.  For a brand-new church that is HUGE.

2. They are downtown.  Project Church will eventually meet in a number of locations, but we really wanted to start this in the heart of Rapid City, SD.

3.  It’s a place where people naturally gather.  Our desire is not to be a “come to us” church but more of a “go to the people” church.  Alternative Fuel fit the bill.

4. God opened the door.  I was eating lunch in there one day and the owner (who is really awesome) approached me and asked if we’d considered their coffee house as a gathering place for Project Church.  The door opened from there and all we needed to do was take the next step and walk through.

We truly believe this is the beginning of something special.  Alternative Fuel won’t be our only venue but we’re not sure we could’ve picked a more ideal spot to launch Project Church from.

- Jason

We get this from God. After all, He is in relationship with himself as Father, Son, and Spirit. When He created humanity, He designed us for relationships- with Him and one another. It’s in the fabric of our being.

This is why God calls us to essentially love Him and people. Love can only travel on relational highways. The very highway He constructed. Our challenge is to love like God does. Right where people are.

Of all the entry points into our community, this is the most significant. We will encourage our people to tether themselves to Jesus and go as far as He leads. To have friendships with people who are far from God yet be connected to those who are following Christ.

Because relationships are so important, we will encourage less “churchy” activities and more intentional relationship development. If anything, the church exists to equip the people to go through everyday life to build and develop genuine relationships. If Jesus can gain a seat at the table of doubters and explorers (Luke 15:2), then we need to follow the footsteps he left behind.

This may seem to be a given and perhaps a bit elementary- but we are about intentional, genuine relationships. This is where the rubber meets the road in terms of following Jesus and being the Church.

But I’ll tell you what the driving force is in starting Project Church: The call.

• The call to help people live the lives they are meant to live.
• The call to see thousands come to believe and love Jesus.
• The call to ignite a movement that will turn a city upside-down.
• The call to shake the tree of complacency.
• The call to ensure that no child or adult in our reach goes hungry.
• The call to see others discover their calling- and answer it.
• The call to see young men be the most likely to go to church rather than the least likely.
• The call to see people be married and stay married.
• The call to help parents love and train their kids the right way.
• The call to help people discover that their talents are God-given and to actually use them.
• The call to show people that it’s never too late to become what they might have been.
• The call to see people freed from addiction, pain, shame, and religion.
• The call to change the way people think about church.
• The call to plead for no wasted lives.
• The call to see a generation arise from this city that will authentically and passionately follow Jesus.
• The call to love God and people recklessly.
• The call to multiply- Christ followers, leaders, and churches.
• The call to see dad’s become the pastor of their families.
• The call to be a church where no one stands alone.
• The call to do whatever it takes to see this happen.

I don’t know why God called me to this. There are many people who are far more impressive than I am. But the call is what drives me. This is why we’re planting a church. Not because I woke up on morning with a great idea- but because God said so. And I know this- I can’t do this alone. It’s going to take people who want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

If you pray, please pray for Project Church to become what God wants us to be. If you don’t pray, now is a good time to begin.

We’ve only just begun…

Being real is not easy. It requires admitting that we aren’t perfect. As a dude starting a church from scratch, I want to be real with God, other people, and myself. I also want to help lead other people to do the same. But if I’m a hypocrite, judgmental jerk, then guess what kind of community Project Church will be…

So let me say right here, right now- I’m not perfect. Not a shocker to those who know me. But here’s the thing, I don’t expect that the people who will be a part of Project Church will be perfect either. In fact, if you’re one of those people who think you are-you’ll probably hate Project Church.

But for those who don’t have it all together, who know they fall short, but want to live the lives they were meant to live- Project Church is right up your alley. Because being real isn’t just about admitting you’re not perfect- it’s following the one who is.

Together.

Jason Salamun

Here’s the nitty gritty:

Where: 402 Kansas City St. (Downtown next to Hardees) View Map

When: Every Sunday | 5:30pm-7:00pm

What to expect: Hang out, eat some food, meet some cool people, and discover more about the vision of Project Church.

View Larger Map

We will resume our meetings next Sunday, May 18 at 5:30 as usual.

Happy Mother’s Day.