Worship Weblog: Visit with New Hope Covenant Church

Posted by Betty Grit:

New Hope Covenant Church connects with residents in Oakland in numerous ways. On Sunday they worship in a large community service building with windows that bring the neighborhood inside. Pastors Dan Schmitz and Russell Yee plan worship that is inviting and engaging. Stations created for the specific focus of the day, the Lord's Table prepared with a variety of special breads and juice highlighted with a spotlight, and children on rugs in the center of the space reflect the desire of the church leaders to make this a welcoming place for all.

On Friday evenings youth gather with leader, Cat Chen for Bible Study, games, and sharing. The young people enthusiastically report their enthusiasm for this time and the ways it connects them to God and to each other. A preschool located in the church connects with neighbors throughout the community. The annual retreat brings together more than 150 people who call New Hope home.

From 2008 - 1New Hope Covenant Church

What draws people to New Hope? Several people mention that it is the diversity of ethnic backgrounds, of education and economic status that makes this church unique and exciting. Recent immigrants from various countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa live in Oakland along with those who immigrated one, two or more generations ago. New Hope offers these people opportunity to tell their story and celebrate the stories of others. In their diversity they are discovering that it is their unity in Christ that is most important to them.

The 2008 grant awarded to New Hope will help them explore different forms of art including hip hop and spoken word to bring together urban youth in this cross cultural setting for contextualized expressions of worship that are Christ-centered, joyful, sustainable and life-giving . We were grateful to meet with Russell, Jeremy, Cat, Monroe and Sandra on a Thursday evening to hear about what they have learned and what is planned for coming months. We discovered that Cat had created a video by interviewing youth at bus stops asking about hip hop in their lives and their observations on church. She and Jeremy, who are both gifted musicians, are leading the learning opportunities for the congregation.