Histories in Christianity in our City

Advisory & Contributing Voices

  • "The great cloud of witnesses that came before us in the Church of Colorado encourage us to persevere in our own time. Yet, those in Christ then and today, while sharing a common mission and a common place, have unique histories, cultural distinctives, and theologically-rooted perspectives. This project has the potential to demonstrate to our state what it looks like to practice and extend the ministry of reconciliation, see the compelling beauty of unity in Christ, and know the goodness of God."

    — Ross Chapman
    CEO, Denver Institute for Faith & Work

  • "The most profound moments in our lives is when we come to the beautiful revelation that the stories we are connected to not only anchor us in the present but shape the formation of our future. If we are not tethered to the story that brought us to the present we will inevitably miss the fullest experience of the life to come."

    — Nirup Alphonse
    Lead Pastor, Lifegate Church

  • "In order to love and care for our city, we must first get to know our city. I love this project and the people involved in making it happen. Telling the stories of the people and events who came before us is one of the best things when can do today. "

    — Dave Runyon
    Founder, CityUnite

  • "It is extremely important to reflect on how the Church has impacted the Metro Denver area - the different streams of the Church, cultures, and how each generation was used to further the Kingdom of God. We learn from the past and have hope for the future."

    — Jude Del Hierro
    Executive Director, Confluence Ministries

  • "We cannot move forward into the future until we know our past, and Histories of Christianity in Our City attempts to do this. By providing the opportunity to know how Christianity has influenced our past, it will help create a way forward for the cities the Lord cares deeply for."

    — Emmanuel Engulu
    Storyteller, Ph.D. candidate, & Educator

  • “Engaging history is necessary, and not just for historians. As leaders, we can’t chart a course for where we’re going if we don’t know where we’ve been.”

    — Norton Herbst
    Pastor, New Denver Church

  • "I love this project and it strikes me as timely and important. I’m bad at remembering, and I can too often succumb to the latest 'new' ideas. We need to make the time to rightly remember the past. We will be thankful we did."

    — Susie Grade
    Lead Pastor, Platt Park Church

  • “We share the same past. We do not share the same history. Change begins with knowing the whole story."

    — Brandon Washington
    Lead Pastor, Embassy Christian Bible Church & Board Member, Denver Seminary

  • "Building authentic, healthy bridges starts with listening to and sharing the truth of our collective stories, even if they are unflattering. We may not be responsible for the history we inherit but we can take responsibility to learn our shared history and work toward healing that fosters respect, collaboration and a stronger future for the next generation of leaders in our city."

    — Michelle Warren
    Virago Strategies

  • "The problem is that we don’t know what we don’t know and are unwilling to find out. Histories of Christianity in our City is a chance to find out, to erase our ignorance and gain the insight we need to foster more courageous and more humble relationships, partnerships and ministries."

    — Kevin Colon
    Communications and Community Engagement Manager, Town of Superior

  • "This project has the possibility of being transformative, not just performative.”

    — MiDian Holmes
    Founder, The Epitome of Black Excellence & Partnership