The Crew in Review

Well I just landed back in Columbus after a great weekend in Huntington, WV. You might be saying... what... how is that possible? Well let me explain. The reason is... I had great company. I spent my time with the people of Crew Community Church.

Marshall University currently keeps Huntington on the map. It has its own story of redemption that is currently being told on the silver screen. If you haven't seen We are Marshall yet. Buy the DVD when it comes out. I took a few pics... so let me break down for you, why I enjoyed my time with the Crew.



















The leadership: Crew publicly launched in September 2006. At the epicenter is Josh Perry (lead pastor), his lovely wife Sarah and three kiddoes (Daniel, Jack and Allie). Josh and Sarah are an infectiously joyful and loving couple. They are the type of people that you like being with... that you want to join up with... and that you trust. They love one another. They love their kids. They love the people at Crew. And they love the city of Huntington. They were great hosts and really made us feel like part of the family.



















The people: The church is really the people. They own no building. They have no offices. They are a gathering of people who are following Christ, or considering Christ and are connected to one another.

The people are friendly and welcoming. They love to eat and laugh and live the good life that God offers through Christ. Some are new believers. Some come because their old church sent them out to serve. Others are coming back to church after being burned by church.

We had the chance to attend their BBQ and Baptism on Sunday night. Three people were baptized. One of the elders even baptized his own brother and his sister-in-law. It was a celebration... Crew style.



















The space: The Crew does not have a building. They out grew the living room that they started in and the classroom at Marshall that they moved to... and now meet for Sunday worship at the Renaissance Theater. It is right off the edge of the Marshall campus and is just blocks from the heart of Huntington.

The Renaissance is the old Huntington High School and has the nostalgic feel of the classic high school auditorium.... complete with balcony. There is plenty of room for growth in this space... with the freedom to pick up and move the gathering somewhere else as the Lord leads.



















The vision: The first word that I think of when I think of Crew is... grace. It is truly a place where a wide variety of people can feel at home and accepted. The typical rules and external expectations of church just don't hold water at the crew. The focus is on the heart... and that is grace.

The church has embraced a God-sized vision... to make the name of Jesus famous in Huntington by helping to rebuild the city. They want to rebuild individuals by introducing them to Christ... but they also want to literally lift the hope of the city. Huntington needs hope... and the Crew has hope in Jesus. They have a Nehemiah-type of vision to restore and redeem their city... to bless their city... and to give the credit to Jesus.

Thank you Perry's and people of the Crew... I'm following your story and praying for your progress.