wfn.org | Disciples introduce themselves to Denver

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

via television
Date: June 18, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org

97b-38

     DENVER (DNS) -- "A Church for Today." That's
the message the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) hopes to get across when its General
Assembly convenes here July 25-29.

     This year's gathering makes the third time
Disciples have met in the Mile High City. The
assembly last met here in 1959 and attracted 9,404
persons. The Indianapolis-based denomination is
expecting 8,000 for the July event.

     One way Disciples hope to spread the word
about the church is by television. Opening night
activities from General Assembly will be shown
from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 25 on Channel 53. The
broadcast, "The Disciples: A Church for Today,"
also features scenes from Colorado Christian Home,
a Disciples-sponsored ministry in Denver, and
footage from a March volunteer project to rebuild
a burned church in rural Arkansas.

     While in Denver, some 300 Disciples
volunteers will refurbish a city park, help build
four Habitat for Humanity homes, and assist
several local hunger programs and children's
ministries. 

     The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Central Rocky Mountain Region, headquartered here,
is hosting the 1997 meeting. The Central Rocky
Mountain Region comprises 46 congregations and
10,639 participating members. This number includes
four Wyoming churches and one in New Mexico.

     In the Denver metropolitan area the
denomination counts 11 congregations. The churches
range from University View Christian Church with
approximately 60 members to the nearly 800-member
South Suburban Christian Church. In the middle of
the pack are two 400-plus member congregations --
Central Christian Church and Park Hill Christian
Church. 

     Fast-growing Park Hill, a vibrant African
American congregation in northeast Denver,
recently completed plans to purchase a 1600-seat
facility. The congregation hopes to be settled
into the new building by the fall.

     Besides these established congregations in
the Denver area, the Disciples have begun a
successful new congregation in Fort Collins. Heart
of the Rockies Christian Church, founded in 1993
by the Rev. Jeff Wright, currently has 158
participating members.

     The region also is considering beginning a
ministry with the Hispanic communities near
Disciples congregations in Aurora and Highland.
Two fledgling churches also are seeking
recognition or acknowledgment by the Central Rocky
Mountain Region.

     "A Church for Today." That's the message the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) wants to
share with Denver.

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DISCNEWS - inbox for Disciples News Service, Office of Communication, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), PO Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206, tele. (317) 635-3100, (DISCNEWS@ecunet.org) Wilma Shuffitt, News and Information Assistant; (CWILLIS@oc.disciples.org) Cliff Willis, Director of News and Information; (CMILLER@oc.disciples.org) Executive Director