In an area historically known for its arts, prostitution, and homosexual population, one expression of “church” as “missional community” is alive and well. The inconspicuous warehouse building in Houston, Texas’ Montrose district, where “Ecclesia” lives, might suggest otherwise, but the vibrant life within tells a different story. That story is of a group of traditionally “unchurched” people deepening their shared encounter with the risen Jesus.
“Ecclesia” began in September 1999 as a church plant supported by the Baptist General Convention of Texas and spearheaded by Pastor Chris Seay. Now a whole community has sprung to life around the art gallery, café, recording studio, small concert venue, and worship space at 2115 Taft Street. Also housed here is a ministry to transvestite prostitutes (Emmaus Ministries) whose trade enjoys demand in the surrounding area.
This experiment in being a church that exists not for itself but for the world is not just another new “quick fix” for reaching people with the Gospel, as Seay tells it. It’s more about investing in authentic relationships with others who like Seay are seeking answers to the meaning of existence and looking for it in the person of Jesus Christ.
"Faith is about Christ and not about us," Seay said in an aritcle in Baptist Standard. "It’s not about the ways we choose to study Scripture, pray, build buildings and view culture. It is quite simply about knowing God and our response to the saving love of Christ that we love our God and our neighbor."
Following the PGF conference, Seay, who emceed at the Friday night coffeehouse with keynote speaker and missional church activist Michael Frost, gave Frost and PGF Team Coordinator Kristina Robb-Dover a personal tour of “Ecclesia.” On a lazy Saturday afternoon, the café was catering to a few customers who sipped lattes while browsing books in philosophy and literature, and the adjacent art gallery displayed the latest works, both secular and Christian, of local artists. Scribbled on one of the door frames of the building was one woman’s handwritten note thanking Jesus for the community of Ecclesia. Seay explained that during the renovating of 2115 Taft, a group of youth volunteers and members of the community penned prayers on the wall studs as a way of ensuring that the church’s ministries will always be surrounded in prayer.
To learn more about “Ecclesia,” contact Chris Seay at chris@ecclesiahouston.org, or check out Seay’s blog at http://www.hearthevoice.com/.
