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Rediscover Mission. Reimagine Church.

We partner with churches and faithful risk-takers to unleash new forms of Christian community in the wild and wonderful spaces of everyday life.

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Fresh Expressions

Training

Inspiring, equipping and catalyzing churches to start fresh expressions

Fresh Expressions

Coaching

Accompanying leaders with just-in-time learning and support

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Gold dotted leaf shape.

Fresh Expressions

Community

Connecting leaders for encouragement and idea-sharing

Testimonials

What people are saying

Dr. Anita Eastlack

Director of Evangelism and Discipleship for the Northeast District of the Wesleyan Church

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"During the summer, 185 leaders across our Northeast District of The Wesleyan Church participated in Dinner Church training, and the impact was immediate. Within two months, eight new dinner churches launched, with six more churches in the process of finalizing their plan. This training has proven to be a powerful tool for equipping everyday missionaries and multiplying fresh expressions of church in our communities. Our dream is to see dozens more in the next couple of years, reaching new people in new places in new ways and on new days."

Phil Gardner

Sandusky, Ohio
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"This old retired guy is learning how effective mission is being done these days...creating relationships with people and inviting them, not to buildings, but to Jesus. Our area has created a Fresh Expressions "mission outpost" to help put interested Christians in direct contact with a trained FX strategist. We'll see what the Spirit has in store for our 'neck of the woods'!"

"Heather is amazing! She carries a humble spirit that makes it easy to stay curious and explore something new like Fresh Expressions with her. Her experience in leading different expressions was both insightful and encouraging. Her flexibility and go-with-the-flow attitude made it a joy to invite and host her—she truly embodies the ‘try it out’ posture and authentic relationships that are at the heart of Fresh Expressions."

Hilda Santiago

Program Manager for Migration Ministries and Diversifying Communities for the Southwestern Texas Synod
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What's New

The latest posts, updates, and news from Fresh Expressions

Why the Table Still Transforms with Mike Graves

By Jeanette Staats • October 6, 2025
In this bonus episode, we sit down with Dr. Mike Graves, author of Table Talk and plenary speaker for the Dinner Church Summit 2025 in Pittsburgh (Nov 6–8). He shares the personal story behind his ministry—childhood roots, encounters with Jesus, and the life messages God has entrusted to him. We also get a preview of what excites him about the Table and why it remains one of the most transformative spaces for the Gospel today. Register now for the Dinner Church Summit at freshexpressions.com/dinner-church-summit-2025 Mike Graves is Scholar in Residence at Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Before retiring from teaching, he was the Wm. K. McElvaney Professor of Preaching and Worship at Saint Paul School of Theology, also in Kansas City. His most recent book is Table Talk: Rethinking Communion and Community. Related Resources: Email us: podcasts@freshexpressions.com Subscribe & Review Help us get the word out by subscribing and leaving a review for Rural Renewal Podcast on your favorite platform. Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts

Two Rivers Dinner Church: A Fresh Expressions Snapshot

By Jeanette Staats • October 2, 2025
A New Way to Be the Church in Syracuse On a Sunday evening in Syracuse, New York, long tables fill with plates of food, the hum of conversation, and the sound of music that seems to soften even the most weary souls. This is Two Rivers Dinner Church, a community where the barriers of traditional church are set aside so that anyone—no matter their story—can find a place at the table. When more than 100 people gathered to celebrate the dinner church’s one-year anniversary, the atmosphere was electric. There was laughter, there was gratitude, and there were baptisms—visible signs that lives had been changed over the past year. Danielle Towers, one of the leaders, described it simply but powerfully:
Two men in gold circles; one with a beard and blue shirt, the other with short hair.

What Latino Communities in Small Towns Need with Marta Sobrino Bolen

September 26, 2025
Ministry in rural areas can have challenges, when it comes to resources. Listen to Marta share how she has addressed the needs of Latino community (especially with language barriers) in her town and advocate for them and how she has partnered with schools, libraries, and other organizations to connect with people in her community. Marta Sobrino Bolen, the pastor of Glenfield United Methodist Church, has started a ministry for Latinos called La Misión that helps Latino families in three areas: family, community, and spiritual growth. La Misión currently includes a tutoring program, a food pantry, a clothes pantry, reading and writing skills, spiritual growth, and support to families who have just arrived to the US. Related Resources: Glenfield UMC Facebook page Join our Facebook group: Rural Renewal Podcast Community Email us: podcasts@freshexpressions.com Subscribe & Review Help us get the word out by subscribing and leaving a review for Rural Renewal Podcast on your favorite platform. Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts