"Spirit-Led Relationships Part 2" Andi Andrew Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Andi Andrew preached this message called “Spirit-Led Relationships Part 2” at our Sunday morning service in the Tribeca Cinemas on June 26th 2011.

Come to the water, come to the water of life;
It will never run dry.
Come to the water, run to the water of life;
It will never run dry.
– Chris Tomlin, “Come to the Water”

June 12th was an important day for Liberty Church. As with any new church, we experience a lot of “firsts” together; the first church wedding, first child dedication, and the first church baby. On that 2nd Sunday in June, we - as a community - experienced our church’s first baptisms.

After an amazing morning service, about 20 members of Liberty Church trekked out to Huntington, New York. Using Google maps as our guide, and swerving through the Hamptons traffic, we reached the Marquez residence around 5pm. The skies were slightly overcast with predictions of rain, and Paul Andrew joked “well, being struck by lightning after being baptized is some way to go…”

We spent the afternoon laughing with one another and enjoying the escape from the city. Then Paul gathered the group together and explained the importance of baptisms.

Baptisms are a huge moment in the life of a Christian. Jesus himself chose to be baptized. The act of baptism is also one of the last messages Jesus left with his disciples.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you … “ Matthew 28:19-20

Moments later, Paul and Andi waded into the chilly water and began the ceremony. Six people were baptized, and were made new before their friends and family.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 1 Corinthians 5:17

Words of hope, joy, redemption and faith for a new future were spoken over those in the water. To say it was a day to be remembered would be an understatement, and we can’t wait to experience more baptisms as a church again soon.

- post written by Jessi Marquez

Just a few blocks away from Liberty Church’s Tribeca Cinemas service location, the Tribeca Connect Group meets every other Thursday at Steve and Rhema Trayner’s place. To call it an apartment wouldn’t do the space justice; with high ceilings, a showroom, and spaciousness almost unknown to New York City, visiting this interestingly-designed loft is always a fun experience.

But it’s not the meeting place that gives heart to this Connect Group. Instead, it’s the people that it brings together. The Tribeca Connect Group is generally made up of mid-to-late twenty-somethings, with a mix of singles and married couples. Most of them have just wrapped up a long day of work, so Connect is a time to all sit back, mingle, and unwind from the fast-paced NYC life.

Each time the group meets, members bring some sort of snack or dessert. Whether it’s chips and salsa or a homemade cake, there are always great treats to be had.

After about 30 minutes of mingling, the group takes to the living room area to study a recent Sunday message. Rhema usually leads the discussion by going over the message and then asking questions, which lends to the conversational-feel of the study.

That’s what’s great about Connect Group – it allows for those of us at Liberty to dig a little bit deeper into what we’ve been hearing on Sunday and learn from each other’s thoughts and experiences. And in NYC, that is definitely something to be cherished.

If you’re interested in becoming part of one of our Connect Groups, check out our Connect Group Finder or email info@libertychurchnyc.com for more details.

"Spirit-Led Relationships" Andi Andrew - Podcast | Liberty Church NYC | New York City Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Andi Andrew preached this message called “Spirit-Led Relationships” at our Sunday morning service in the Tribeca Cinemas on June 19th 2011, Fathers Day.

At Liberty Church, Rhema Trayner is that someone. A few days ago I got to sit down with Rhema to talk a little bit about her role and experience at Liberty, and I learned even more so, just how blessed we are to have a leader like her as part of our church family.

How did you get involved in Liberty church?

I was living in Southern California and was involved in another church there. On a visit to New York [my husband] Steve and I knew God was calling us here, so we made the move in October 2010. I truly believed I was supposed to be a part of Liberty even though I didn’t know at all what that would look like.

What is your role at Liberty Church?

My role is ”whatever needs to get done.” I manage all church operations - office, volunteers, database, etc. - Monday through Friday.

Did you anticipate having as large of a role as you have?

The role sort of evolved into what it is now. I signed up to build the church, whatever that looked like!

What has been the most rewarding experience for you at Liberty?

The discipleship - to get involved in people’s lives and be able to see how much they can grow and develop over the course of just a short time. I don’t have an administration job; it’s a people job with administrative clothes on.

I don’t have an administration job; it’s a people job with administrative clothes on.

What advice would you give someone interested in working in church ministry?

With ministry, it’s like you think you’re going to save the world, but what’s put in your hand never looks like that. Never throw out what someone gives you to do just because it doesn’t look like what you thought it would. You have to take the opportunity that’s in front of you, commit to it, and do your best. Commit with your heart, not just your hands.

Commit with your heart, not just your hands.

What would your advice be for someone looking for a new church?

Find a church that feels like home, and stay there through the seasons of life! You can’t build community if you follow around “whatever is happening this week.” Community is built over time. If you never stay anywhere long enough, you won’t have the opportunity to experience true depth in your church relationships.

Why do you think that Liberty already has such a strong sense of family?

Everything starts with leadership. That’s what pours out of Paul and Andi’s lives - that’s how they are in “real” life - and the church reflects that. Being around them as leaders rubs off on you as well, and as a result, it becomes the spirit of the church.

Most memorable moment at Liberty so far?

The very first service in January and having a big role in helping it happen logistically - all the effort that led to that and knowing I had such a big hand in it - and it still went well. It made me confident that I was in the right place, doing the right thing, with the right leaders. We worked up to the launch months and then it was effortless. It was like, wow, I can do things I didn’t think I could do!

What are you most excited about for Liberty’s future?

I’m excited for the new community launching in September and to see how God expands the church in NYC. I’m also excited to continue working together with other churches here in the city. We would be crazy to think that we could do this thing on our own! I think one of the main things that keeps us moving forward is the belief that we will actually see measurable change in a city where that could be hard to believe at first glance. I guess the darker the place spiritually, the bigger the difference light can make.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Still doing whatever it takes, whatever it looks like. My goal is not a “career in ministry”; my goal is to see the people of New York saved, and I’ll be here until that happens.

My goal is not a “career in ministry”; my goal is to see the people of New York saved, and I’ll be here until that happens.

Thanks Rhema, we love you!

If you’re interested in becoming part of the Liberty Church Team, find out more by emailing info@libertychurchnyc.com.

You know you’re an NYC church when…

1. You make up the sole population of people in the city who are awake before 11am on Sunday morning.

2. Your weekly services take place where a world-famous film festival is also held.

3. You can’t get to church one Sunday because thousands of people are taking part in a bike race.

4. An article in Time Out New York brings more visitors than street evangelism does.

5. Experiencing the great outdoors means a picnic in Central Park.

6. Four people in your church actually own a car.

7. Two thirds of your prayer requests are either for people looking for a job or an apartment.

8. You refer to the subway as your “mission field.”

9. Forty people RSVP when you announce a dinner party.

10. Your church athletic league consists of playing darts and shuffle board.

…and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

“A Foreign Life” Andi Andrew - Podcast | Liberty Church NYC | New York City Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Paul Andrew preached this message called “A Foreign Life” at our Sunday morning service in the Tribeca Cinemas on June 12th 2011.

BIG NEWS…

In the Fall of this year Liberty Church will be launching a second community in Manhattan with a Sunday night service!

Our first community in Tribeca has absolutely flourished and the time has come to reach out again. We’re excited about becoming one church, two communities.

Sunday September 18th is now confirmed as our launch date at the NY Film Academy in Union Square. We’d appreciate your prayers as we seek God and work out the details.

We’re building a Launch Team under the leadership of Sebastian Buffa, and we’re raising finance over the summer. It’s going to be a great adventure!

For more information or to ask about getting involved please email info@libertychurchnyc.com, and stay posted on Twitter and the website for updates.