A few weeks ago on Liberty Church’s one-year anniversary, it was announced that a third community will be launched in Brooklyn in 2013. Yesterday I sat down with lead pastor Paul Andrew to get some more details on the exciting news.

When was the idea for a Brooklyn community born?
Well, Andi and I live in Brooklyn. When we first moved to New York we fell in love with Brooklyn, and for a while we thought first community might be there. When we launched Tribeca I figured our second community would be in Brooklyn. So, the truth is that Brooklyn has always been in our heart for Liberty Church. I walk around our neighborhood every week and see the need for more local churches to be pioneered. We’re meeting people all the time that we’d love to invite to a neighborhood church, and we’re excited for the Brooklyn community to be just that.

What is the vision for the Brooklyn community?
If Brooklyn were a city on its own, it would be the fourth largest city in America ahead of Houston, TX. It was also once called “The City of Churches,” but sadly today in my neighborhood many of those beautiful churches have been converted to apartments or office buildings. From the outset, our dream has always been to reach this diverse city by planting church communities in different neighborhoods and that each could reflect the people who call it home.

I do think that the Brooklyn community will wind up looking and feeling different than our communities in Tribeca and Union Square. Right now we’re one church in two communities. Even though they have the same DNA, the Tribeca and Union Square communities already reach different types of people, have a different style and personality - like two siblings that are part of the same family. I have no doubt that when the time comes to launch Brooklyn it will be a unique expression of the vision of our church in the context of the new community.

Who would have thought that in such a short time - by the grace of God and the generosity of our volunteers - we’d be in a place where we can begin preparation for our third community?

So, what now?
On our first anniversary celebration in January we announced our hope to launch the Brooklyn community in 2013 (click here to watch the video). We asked the church to pray with us for God’s wisdom and direction in terms of the timing, leadership, and exact location of the future Brooklyn community. Beyond that, right now we don’t have a lot of specifics. I do know we’ll have to continue to grow our volunteer base and to believe God for both the financial resource and the pastoral leadership we’ll need to see this new community launch in strength.

What can Brooklynites do now to connect with Liberty Church while preparations are being made?
First of all, they can of course get connected with either of our current communities. Secondly, we have Connect Groups that meet in Brooklyn so it’s already possible to get connected and be part of the family even before we have Sunday services in Brooklyn. Thirdly, sometime later this year, it’s likely that we’ll begin to gather a launch team who will pray and plan together. If you’d like to be part of that team when it forms, you can email [email protected] and we’ll make sure to contact you when we’re getting ready to build our volunteer team.

On Thursday September 29, a host women of all different ages and backgrounds gathered for what would be the first of many Liberty Sisterhood gatherings.

The gathering was at Tribeca Cinemas in NYC, and after almost three hours of preparing and decorating the venue, guests arrived to what looked more like a glamorous lounge than a movie theater.

From 7:30 to 8pm the ladies mingled over cookies, brownies, and little pink lemonade “mocktails,” which were served by some of the men on our team (Ed: and yes, the men dressed up for it!).

There was also a photoshoot area set up for the ladies to take some fun pictures with friends.

One of the most exciting parts of the evening was that we were able to collect donations to sent to WIN - Women in Need. WIN is an organization that rehibilitates homeless mothers, and we were thrilled to contribute new products to aid these mothers and their children.

When 8pm rolled around, it was time to head to our seats to start the evening with worship. With barely any men in the building, Tribeca Cinemas was filled with the sound of just us women collectively lifting our praise up to God.

After an introduction from her husband Paul, Andi Andrew took the stage to begin the night’s message. Andi shared her heart about what Liberty Sisterhood means to her and why she felt called to lead what is most-certainly not “just another womens’ ministry.”

Tonight is a “seed in the ground” sort of night, a night where a story begins to unfold and you are a part of it…

Andi’s message focused on the theme, “now it’s your turn.” She encouraged us as women to come together as one to show this city what the love of God looks like and to bring that freedom through our lives.

Countless women have gone before us…they have paved a way…carved out a path…they have stood for salvation, truth, justice and freedom. Women who have fed the poor and loved the unlovable…now it’s your turn.

To Andi, the way to do this is quite simple, but not always easy: it’s by saying YES to God. Whether it’s reaching out to someone who seems like they need a shoulder to cry on or bringing a homeless women to a shelter, “the love of God can move through each of our lives when we are wholly and completely submitted and yielded to Him.”

The message left each and every person in the building feeling inspired, blessed, and excited to see the amazing ways God is going to use the Liberty Sisterhood to impact NYC.

So many people are going without a meal, shelter, freedom or love…and we can extend our hand with all of those things and bring justice and Gods love into their world.

The evening was closed by the worship team playing Leeland’s “Love Is On The Move” while a video with photos of the Liberty Sisters played in the background. It was the pefect ending to a night that was only the beginning of things to come.

Liberty Sisterhood is going to meet 4 times a year; gatherings that will continue to build new friendships, provide the Word of God, and further the vision of going out into this city to spread God’s love and help those in need. For more info or any questions email [email protected]

“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47

NOTE: We are now meeting across the park at Union Square Ballroom.

Our Union Square community has services every Sunday Night at 7pm at the Union Square Ballroom, at 27 Union Square W #500, New York, NY 10003.

Whatever you do, don’t miss the launch of our brand new community in Union Square!

Sunday September 18th
At the famous New York Film Academy
100 East 17th St

The guest lounge opens at 6.30pm
Service starts 7.00pm
You can RSVP online on our Facebook page right here

This is NOT just another event. It’s a chance to take a stand together for faith, for hope and for the future of Union Square.

Plus you can get involved as a volunteer by joining our Launch Team

One church // Two communities
Tribeca // Union Square

Chad Rodriguez has been around since almost the very beginning here at Liberty Church. He’s a Connect Group leader, part of our worship team, and now about to lead Liberty Church’s upcoming college ministry. Here’s his story.

1. Hey Chad! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Well for starters, I am a big question-asker. I think I sometimes annoy people because of it. I am always asking “why”. Don’t know why (ironic right). I’ve been inquisitive since I was a child. My journey has been an interesting one. Finding faith in God at 17 but not really having a revelation of my relationship with Him till 20. Working in fields of music, business strategy, and currently fashion. I’m a big believer in doing well with what is in front of me, which is why I think I’ve gotten to do as much as I have at my age. I’ve never been to wrapped up with looking for “what’s next”, more just doing the best I can right now.

I’ve been all over the world visiting some beautiful cities and even spending close to 4 years in Sydney, Australia. I have a crazy obsession with blazers, watches, coffee, and going to the movies (I love hollywood….I love stories). The rest you’ll have to learn over a coffee…

2. How did you get involved with Liberty Church?
It’s kind of crazy. I guess I was one of the first to get involved. I spent almost 4 years in Sydney which is where I met Paul and Andi Andrew. I have always wanted to build a church in NYC but never thought it was the right time. I use to come to NYC a lot before I moved to Australia for either work or play and I knew this was the city you couldn’t just come to without knowing why.

After my time in Sydney I really felt like it was “time” to make the move to NYC. So I did, well actually I moved back home to North Carolina to sort things for the move. I would take monthly trips up to NYC to scope things out, to see what the “temperature” of the city was. I was praying about what to do a lot. I went to event one night while visiting NYC and in walked Paul Andrew. We hadn’t seen each other in well over 2 years so were both in shock to see a familiar face in a rather large city. We got breakfast the next morning (at what is now my local food spot Grey Dog) and that’s where he shared their vision for Liberty and I shared mine. It was one of the more obvious God moments in my life. Basically, God just put up a billboard saying “Here you go, doesn’t get more obvious than this.” From then on I was in. This was back in December of 2009. It’s been a crazy time since and I love it.

“Basically, God just put up a billboard saying ‘Here you go, doesn’t get more obvious than this.’”

3. What’s your role at Liberty? What’s your favorite part about it?
That’s always a funny question especially in regards to a church plant. I feel like my role is like a Swiss Army Knife! I love “the church” to the core of me, so when we started, literally the role was “whatever it takes guy” but then again that was everyone’s role. Now a year later it’s gotten a bit more focused. I am active in our worship team community; leading, playing guitar, sometimes running sound and still keeping the attitude of “whatever it takes.”

My time and energy now however go into our new College Ministry called “The Society Room.” I remember my journey as a college student. It’s such an awkward time, I would argue even more awkward than middle school. It’s this weird period of time where being a kid and adult begins to get blurred. I remember studying and having to process all this information out of books thinking I knew it all. When I got into the “real world” and actually working in my field of study I remember thinking, “Uhm, I didn’t learn any of this.” I wish I had the opportunity to outwork a bit of what I thought were my passions while in college versus being buried under books.

This is where the core vision of The Society Room comes from. It’s my hope that we can create a community for University age students to really explore the “why” behind their study. Giving them opportunities now to start to use those talents and passions. Hopefully along that journey some will discover, “Yes! This is exactly what I want to do” and we can continue to help them grow in that; but for those who go “I don’t like this at all.” they won’t have to feel stuck. They’ll have a community that can partner with them to find their “why.”

4. What advice would you give to someone looking for church or even just community in NYC?
I would say this is a two-sided question. On one hand I would say if you’re trying to find a community in NYC to belong to the only way you can do that is to try them out. You gotta start going. You gotta actually put yourself out there to engage somewhere.

The real issue I believe in finding a church however is not just, “Do I get along with everyone here?” because let’s be honest - you probably won’t get along with everyone. What you really need to ask yourself is, “What do I believe about church? What is my conviction about it?” From there you need to find a place that lines up with that. Most people choose a church because their friends go, or it’s got the best music, or the coolest whatever. That’s a really surface reason to pick a church. I’ve been doing church long enough to know that if you don’t pick a church where you believe in what it’s doing then you’re going to be banging your head against the wall.

It helps to ask, “What part of the body am I called to be?” It’ll save a lot of frustration, because if you’re an “arm” serving or attending a church that is a “mouth” it’s always going to feel a bit like an odd fit. I am convinced that is why we have so many bitter ex-church people. Part of me believes it’s not always the churches fault, it’s also the persons fault for not asking, “What do I believe about church?” If you do that I have no doubt you’ll find yourself right where God wants you to be.

God wants you to flourish in church…not endure it!

I would have to say it’s from Deuteronomy 30:11-14…

¹¹ Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. ¹² It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” ¹³ Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” ¹⁴ No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”

I think life makes us over think a lot. I know when it comes to making decisions especially in a place as crazy as NYC the tendency is to second guess everything you do. This verse really puts me at rest because it reassures me of a simple truth: If you just stay close to God you’ll know what to do. It reminds me that if I can remain in Him then the things I face I’ll respond to appropriately. I won’t have to worry about wondering, “What would God do?” because if I’m close to Him, I’ll choose like Him, think like Him, act like Him. That’s a really comforting thought. It’s a verse I always come come back to and it is one of my favorites.

Our mission at Liberty Church is to be a community, a catalyst, and a cause. To us, one of the most important aspects of cultivating that community is not just meeting on Sunday mornings for church, but simply doing life with each other.

That’s why every Sunday after the service, anywhere from 5 to 40 members of Liberty Church walk a few blocks over to South’s restaurant for lunch, coffee, laughter, and building relationships. We’ve come to cherish this as a great time to catch up with each other but also get to know guests who are new to Liberty and welcome them in to our church family.

If you’re in NYC and looking for real community, or even if you’re just visiting for the weekend, we hope you’ll join us for our Sunday services and the lunch following. We would love to meet you!

For more information or if you have any questions feel free to email us at [email protected]

We’d love you to join us for the launch of our weekly services on Jan 23rd. We’ve had monthly Gatherings since September, and now we’re ready to start Sunday services every week at the Tribeca Cinemas.

You can RSVP online at our Facebook Page here

Join us on the day and bring friends to be part of something new that God is doing in New York City. We’ve got a Guest Lounge and a great kids program. Find out more, get connected, be involved.

Guest Lounge opens at 10am, service starts at 10.30am. Tribeca Cinemas is a landmark in Lower Manhattan at 54 Varick St, and it’s right by the 1, 2 and A, C, E subway lines, and close to the N, R.

RSVP on Facebook here or fill in the form below.

Hope to meet you there!
Paul & Andi Andrew

RSVP here

What a great Sunday we had at our last monthly Gathering before launching our weekly services on Jan 23 at the Tribeca Cinemas.

Check out this video… and please use the links below to help us spread the word!