One of Middletown’s key priorities is being a welcoming church for everyone. We strive to be a place where all people can belong and feel included in our ministries, especially people who the Church has traditionally ostracized.
In 2019, we introduced our welcome statement, which specifically names that we are an inclusive church. We’ve made intentional efforts to be present in the community and let our neighbors know that God loves them and there is a place for them at Middletown.
In June 2023, we walked in the Kentuckiana Pride Parade for the first time. David R. and Billy B. were at the parade, and they saw MCC’s group walking the parade. They decided to check us out and ultimately began attending regularly.
“Of all the LGBTQ+ affirming churches we saw in the Parade and at the festival we liked that MCC was affirming, had a Bible study for LGBTQ+ people, offered a contemporary music option for Sunday Worship Services, and that there were a lot of activities for children,” they said.
Since they began attending in July, they have been involved in Sunday worship, small groups, outreach events, Tailgate Treats, and their son has participated in children’s ministry activities.
“MCC has provided a safe place of community for us as gay Christians where we can find healing from past spiritual trauma and begin the process of deconstructing and rebuilding our faith,” they said.
They have learned and grown so much through hearing Sunday sermons and participating in the Rainbow Christians small group.
“It is great to have a church home where our whole family can feel comfortable and celebrated to be who God created us to be,” they said. “Most of all MCC has given our family hope and restored in us the belief that church can in fact be a safe place.”
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This impact story is part of our annual stewardship series, I Know the Plans. If you’d like to give to support the work that God is doing in and through Middletown Christian Church in 2024, please consider filling out an estimate of giving card here.