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The Core and the Front Porch's appearances in the news media.
Faith Booming Amid Downtown Development
by Carlos Correa, KOLR10 News
July 4, 2008
(SPRINGFIELD) -- Development in downtown Springfield continues to grow with new businesses, a popular art scene and various live music venues.
But did you know it's also a place to worship? A local group is working to help build faith in center city.
It's been almost a year since the Front Porch officially opened its doors in downtown Springfield and with a long list of events -- the group continues with its goal to bring communities of faith together.
"We really are trying to welcome people not just to this place, but welcome people into our lives to share a life with them as sort of in a way that Jesus did," said Pastor Ryan Wiksell.
Through music his church is able to share the gospel with many people.
"When you bring people together in shared interest whether it'd be games or music or art or spirituality with our discussion groups - they can connect," he said.
The Core is a non-denominational church in Springfield. Wiksell and other volunteers spent a year helping to create the Front Porch, a place where people can come and talk about their religious beliefs.
Volunteers run the facility and take turns coordinating weekly events, discussion groups and booking bands to play for their growing congregation.
"The Front Porch itself stands out from a youth group at a church in a sense that we aren't just all Christians. We're all at different levels of exploring our faith or even exploring new faiths. So, we're not exclusive to one particular group," said Brian Newman, church volunteer.
Church leaders hope that having a downtown venue can help people build an even stronger relationship with god.
"It's a great place to meet people, like minded people and there is also that aspect where you can meet people who are of the completely different mind set than you and that is always appeal
ing to people," said Newman.
Before The Core opened its doors in downtown Springfield, church members were meeting in private homes or in other church buildings.
Now, the group meets in center city, every Sunday for morning service.
The group relies heavily on word of mouth to promote services and programs to the community. Faith leaders have also turned to the internet and that has made a big impact.
New Downtown Church Has No Pews, No Pressure
by Steve Grant, KY3 News
October 4, 2007
Video
SPRINGFIELD -- The evolution and redevelopment of downtown Springfield has made it a magnet for diners, drinkers, shoppers and lofters. Now an ambitious plan is in the works to reach those who are looking for something more in the center city.
When it’s done, 310 South Ave. will be called the Front Porch. It will be a church with no pews, no pulpit and no pressure, especially from its 27-year-old pastor.
“Sometimes we have trouble relating to what the church is doing,” said Ryan Wiksell.
Wiksell and co-founders, who call their missionary work The Core Downtown, want to offer up basic Christianity at street level.
“We do know there are people here asking questions and sensing an emptiness that they can't put their finger on,” said Wiksell.
Storefront churches are not new or unique in American Christianity. No less than the Assemblies of God can trace its denominational roots to a storefront church in Los Angeles.
The Core is de-emphasizing denominations but has started to gather a following with open mic sessions at a new art gallery, which happens to be owned by a major Springfield church. They’re informal, sometimes informational and, they hope, inspirational.
“The apostle Paul said, ‘When you gather together, bring something to contribute,’ and I believe that's firmly in our format,” said Wiksell.
The Front Porch will be in a building owned by a nightclub. It’s just south of Nonna’s Italian American Cafe.
God's Place on South Avenue
Above is a link to the blog I wrote about Matt Lemmon's article in Go Magazine, which ran in March 2007. Here is a link to the original article.
Alternative Church Attracts Non-Traditional Worshippers
by Joy Robertson, KOLR10 News
February 8, 2007
When you head downtown, you expect to see crowded bars, lively dance clubs and fine restaurants ... But here's something you might not expect on a Saturday night.People are heading downtown to find spirituality - with a group that mixes church, art and music, in the core of the city.
It's cold outside the New Monarch Art Factory in downtown Springfield, but cozy inside.
Amid colorful art and creativity is another kind of art and creativity, meant to nourish the spirit.
The Core, a non-denominational church, has been around about a year and a half, mostly meeting in private homes or other church buildings. But on this night, Second Baptist Church has offered it's Bellweather Gallery for The Core's first 'open mic' night.
"It has very, very good vibes in here," notes Jerry Younkins, a Buddhist who attends gathering of The Core.
Pastor Ryan Wiksell says God is 'the core' of reality. He and other organizers want to bring god to the 'core' of the city.
"I think we've kind of been missing that in our church experience," Wiksell says. "You're sitting around, one or two hundred people or a thousand people but we only get to hear the thoughts of one or two or three. I wonder what all these people are going through that are around me."
Wiksell hopes the urban environment will appeal to urban dwellers, who want to share ideas about Christianity, or any religion.
"I'm really not interested in knowing how many people show up to any given thing, because the difference between... we could have, ten people show up and five people's lives totally change or you've got a thousand people show up and everyone goes away the same."
From poetry readings to live music The Core is about the exchange and expression of ideas.
"And any time you've got something that lifts people, lifts the spirit, it lifts the whole neighborhood."
So, on it's first 'open mic' night, The Core managed to draw a decent crowd.
Organizers hope these new friends will return next month - and bring even more to The Core.
A visitor asks musician Joe Terry, "Are you looking for spirituality, are you looking for a way to learn more about God?" "Maybe a little bit, I'm open to it, definitely," Terry responds. "This is a good setting, very low pressure here." Skyler Smith performed with Terry, "I'm just here to play music and make people smile," he says.
"So I like events like this, get-togethers where anything can happen," Wiksell notes. "Where it seems up to chance or I guess I could say up to God to let him work it out however he wants and we just try to respond the way Jesus would."
The Core plans to hold open mic night once a month - on Saturday night after First Friday art walk. It has seen people from as far away as Fair Grove and Rogersville.
Wiksell, who is an Evangel graduate, says they'll meet inside the Monarch Art Factory on College Street until they get their permanent home finished on South Avenue next to Ernie Biggs.
To learn more about The Core and its other services, visit the church website .
