In the cozy basement library of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, people are gathering—not for a worship service, but for cookies, conversation, and a good movie. Movies & Chats, a budding Fresh Expression of church, is offering a warm, accessible space where faith isn’t forced but curiosity is welcome, and community is quietly taking root. Led by Dave McEachron , a covocational Episcopal priest and lifelong lover of film, the idea began with a simple question: What if watching movies and talking about them could become a way to connect with people beyond the church? That single spark has grown into something deeply resonant. With thoughtfully chosen films like Lars and the Real Girl, Whiplash, Women Talking, and Small Things Like These, the gatherings quickly gained traction—drawing 12–15 attendees at first, then growing as more locals discovered the group through MeetUp and word-of-mouth. FROM CUROSITY TO COMMUNITY “We didn’t try to make it overly spiritual,” Dave said. “We just let the movies do their work and let the conversation unfold.” Movies & Chats taps into something deeply human: our need to make meaning through story. And in a culturally vibrant, spiritually eclectic city like St. Paul—offering a welcoming space to explore life’s biggest questions through art and conversation fills a real need. This Fresh Expression isn’t trying to draw people into traditional church—it’s about meeting people where they already are, in ways that feel natural and non-threatening. As one attendee put it, “The space doesn’t feel religious, but it does feel deeply meaningful.” As David continues to experiment he hopes that shared leadership will begin to transform the group and that regular participants would start suggesting films and helping shape future gatherings. A FRESH EXPRESSION IN MOTION Movies & Chats is still taking shape, but it clearly reflects the rhythms of the Fresh Expressions journey . It began with listening—David paid attention to his own passions and the culture around him, sensing that movies could be a bridge to meaningful conversation. From there, he stepped into loving and serving, offering a space where strangers could gather safely, enjoy a shared experience, and connect without pressure. As people returned and brought friends, community began to form naturally, not through structure but through presence and trust. Now, conversations are growing deeper, participants are helping to plan events, and a sense of ownership is emerging. Though it’s early, the doorway for exploring discipleship is beginning to emerge —not through teaching, but through thoughtful dialogue and relationships formed in the warmth of the group. As Fresh Expressions reminds us, church can emerge when we follow the Spirit’s lead, practice incarnational presence, and nurture spaces that are contextual, organic, and open to what God might grow. “It’s not yet a Fresh Expression of church,” Dave admits. “But it’s a faithful experiment. We’re present. We’re paying attention. And we’re seeing something beautiful emerge.” NOT A PROGRAM - A POSTURE What makes Movies & Chats so compelling is its accessibility. It doesn’t require a worship band, a curriculum, or a marketing budget. Just a library space, a few good films, a plate of cookies, and a host willing to listen and love without an agenda. “Fresh Expressions is about forming new Christian communities with people who may never come to your church, but who are longing for community, purpose, and spiritual connection.” The story of Movies & Chats reminds us that church doesn’t have to start with preaching—it can start with popcorn and honest conversation. MORE THAN A MOVIE NIGHT Movies & Chats may have begun as a simple film discussion group, but it’s becoming something more: a space where connection forms, trust deepens, and the Spirit gently moves. In a time when many are disillusioned with institutional religion but still yearning for meaning, this Fresh Expression is opening the door to community in a way that feels authentic, relational, and doable . “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” — Frederick Buechner Dave didn’t launch a program—he did something he loved doing, followed his curiosity, invited others in, and made space for the Spirit to do the rest. And that’s the beauty of Fresh Expressions: anyone, in any church, can do the same.
In Lincoln, New Hampshire, church doesn’t always start with a steeple or a sanctuary. Sometimes it starts in a lift line. Sometimes it starts over hot coffee. Sometimes it begins when two strangers realize they’re chasing the same joy down the same slope. Loon Mountain Ministry (LMM) is a Fresh Expression of Church that seeks to relationally live out the truth of Jesus Christ within the community at Loon Mountain Resort. For more than 30 years, LMM has served the spiritual and community needs of skiers, snowboarders, and vacationers who gather in the mountain resort area—many of whom would never attend a traditional service. Founded with a vision inspired by God, the ministry’s mission is simple and compelling: love God, serve the community, and enjoy the mountains. LMM offers church services, outreach, and spiritual care directly in the ski resort setting, making faith accessible within a culture shaped by recreation, seasonal rhythms, and shared experience. This is what it looks like when the Church stops waiting for people to come—and instead shows up where people already are. The mountains create a shared language One of the most remarkable dynamics of Loon Mountain Ministry is how naturally the mountain creates connection. People who might never speak to each other in any other setting find themselves laughing, waiting, and celebrating side-by-side. Marcus Corey, a pioneer and ski resort chaplain, describes it this way: “Anytime you enter the mountains it creates a shared common experience. ... it’s one of the only places where a billionaire and a bum are high-fiving each other stoked to be together…” Fresh Expressions leaders often talk about starting with listening, presence, and relationships —and LMM is a living example. The mountain becomes an environment where people are already open, already present, already sharing life. The Church doesn’t have to manufacture community. It can simply join what’s already happening. And that shared experience becomes the soil for spiritual conversation. “Shared common experiences are what create relationships and relationships are the rails in which the gospel can penetrate into someone’s personal life…” - Marcus Corey From the summit to Main Street: a thrift store and coffee shop that sustains mission Loon Mountain Ministry isn’t only present on the slopes. It’s also building tangible points of connection in town—especially through a venture that’s deeply relevant for churches exploring sustainability and innovation. Marcus says plainly: “…our ministry is supported by a thrift and coffee shop.” This matters for pastors and denominational leaders who are asking real questions: How do we create spaces that build community and support ministry? What might it look like to combine hospitality, presence, and sustainability? How can “church” take shape through everyday, relational spaces? A thrift store and coffee shop is more than a creative idea—it’s a missional platform . It’s a place where people naturally gather, trust forms over time, and faith can be encountered in the midst of daily life. It’s also a model of how entrepreneurial imagination can serve the mission rather than distract from it. And it offers a surprisingly simple invitation: “If you’re a coffee drinker please come up and have coffee coffee with us." Why this is doable: start with what people already love Loon Mountain Ministry didn’t begin as a complicated strategy. It began as a faithful response to a real context. The ministry bridges the gap between recreation and worship by recognizing that God is already present in creation and community—and that spiritual openness often emerges through shared experiences. Marcus describes his calling as: “I’ve really been on a life long journey of making the Creator known in his creation." This is the heart of Fresh Expressions: discovering the places where the Gospel can be embodied naturally —in networks, passions, third spaces, and everyday life. Whether your community gathers around mountains, music, meals, art, fitness, or coffee, the invitation is the same: pay attention to what people already love, and ask what it looks like to follow Jesus there. “…you don’t have to be a skier you just have to love Jesus and be willing to follow him where he takes you…” - Marcus Corey
In the heart of New Albany, Mississippi, a vibrant rhythm of worship, service, and community rises from a ministry called La Misión, led by Rev. Marta Sobrino Bolen. Born from the vision of New Albany United Methodist Church to reach and embrace its growing Hispanic community, La Misión has become far more than a church program—it’s a living expression of the Gospel in two languages and many forms. Each week, families gather for worship, food, tutoring, and friendship, echoing the anthem that defines their identity:
Worship Beyond the Walls It all began with a simple request. A local retirement community, Fleming Farms, wondered if our church might be willing to provide something regular for their residents. Rather than asking people to come to us, the Spirit was nudging us to go to them. What started as a brainstorming lunch quickly grew into a shared calling. After prayer, reflection, and some nudging from family, we stepped forward — not alone, but with others from the congregation who were eager to serve, sing, and share life. The result was W.O.W. (Worship on Wednesday). We didn’t know what to expect, but from the very first hymn-sing, it was clear God was already at work. Residents came with joy and keep returning week after week. Together we sing, hear a short word from Scripture, share prayer requests, and celebrate birthdays. A Community of Giving and Receiving The surprising gift of W.O.W. is how it has shaped our whole church. Each Wednesday for the past 17 months, people who normally worship only inside our sanctuary are stepping into a different kind of sanctuary — the community room at Fleming Farms. They are meeting new neighbors, sharing stories, and discovering that worship doesn’t have to stay within four walls.
As King Street Church was forming in 2013, we began looking for a way to start a church that met our neighbors where they were and formed a new kind of church there. After several months of research, we stumbled upon Fresh Expressions. I was immediately taken by the process in which these new forms of church were started, a process called The Fresh Expressions Journey. The Fresh Expressions Journey is a six-step process that most fresh expressions walk through as they form. Of course, the process is never as simple as it looks, but these steps gave me a basic framework to envision how King Street Church might form. Now, as a cultivator and coach of fresh expressions in western North Carolina and beyond, I point fresh expression leaders to the Journey on a daily basis. I ask questions like, “What stage of the journey have you been working on?” and “How might you begin to move into the next stage?” As John Maeda, President of the Rhode Island School of Design, says: “Making a process visible makes a practice reflectable.” In this series of posts, we’ll reflect on each stage. The Six Stages of the Fresh Expressions Journey
“There is so much power to kids seeing grown-ups participate in fun.” – Jen Asp
In a small town in Virginia, a movement is reshaping what it means to be the church. Shalom Creatives, located in Madison Heights, is more than a community hub—it’s a lifeline for those seeking healing, creativity, and spiritual renewal. Designed to meet people where they are—emotionally, spiritually, and physically—this Fresh Expression of church is breaking down barriers and building something extraordinary. Rev. Amy Hall, the visionary behind Shalom Creatives, explains it this way: “We’re creating spaces of care, creativity, and connection where everyone can belong.” For a community facing challenges like economic disparity and social isolation, this innovative approach is meeting needs traditional churches often miss. But the story of Shalom Creatives isn’t just about one community—it’s a blueprint for reimagining church in our modern world. Listening and Loving: How Shalom Creatives Began Every Fresh Expression starts with listening. In Madison Heights, leaders observed a growing need for spaces where people could express themselves, find support, and reconnect with faith without fear of judgment. “Church as usual wasn’t reaching them—not because they lacked faith, but because they needed something different.” – Rev. Hall This realization led to the creation of Shalom Creatives, offering therapeutic art workshops, nature-based gatherings, and leadership development programs that inspire transformation. The journey wasn’t easy. “We had moments of doubt,” Hall admits. “Would people embrace something so different?” But by listening to the community and stepping out in faith, they uncovered a deep hunger for connection, creativity, and healing. Building a Community That Heals Together Shalom Creatives serves those who often feel left out of traditional church settings—artists, seekers, those recovering from trauma, and individuals longing for a place to belong. Programs like the Healing Art Studio and Forest Church Series invite participants to process their emotions, rediscover faith, and form meaningful relationships. “In Forest Church, I feel a connection to God and nature that I’ve never experienced before,” shares one participant. “It’s like my soul has room to breathe again.” This reflects the Fresh Expressions principle of incarnational mission, where ministry happens in the real lives of people, not just inside church buildings. Shalom Creatives embodies Romans 12:13: “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” By offering creative spaces and genuine hospitality, it provides hope and healing to its community. Transforming Communities, One Step at a Time What makes Fresh Expressions so powerful is its accessibility. Shalom Creatives didn’t start with a large budget or an established roadmap. It began with a willingness to listen, love, and experiment. The impact of Shalom Creatives is undeniable. Participants describe it as a place where they feel seen, valued, and connected—often for the first time in years. Leaders have found renewed joy in ministry by stepping outside traditional models and embracing innovation.
“Sometimes, God starts with the simplest ingredients—a conversation, a prayer, a plate of churros—and turns them into something extraordinary.” In this interview, we explore the journey of the Churros and Chocolate Faith Community, a vibrant bilingual and multicultural group dedicated to making disciples of Christ while celebrating cultural diversity. From humble beginnings, they’ve grown into a welcoming space for all.
In Brookville, Maryland, a Fresh Expression of church called Coop’s Soups is transforming the way people experience faith and community. Founder Cristin Cooper, Coop’s Soups doesn’t look like a traditional church. Instead, it’s an inviting space centered around soup-making and sharing—a ministry designed to bring neighbors together and embody God’s love in daily life. With a mission to “fight loneliness, one bowl at a time,” Coop’s Soups reflects the heart of the Fresh Expressions movement, which holds that “church can happen anywhere.” Through soup, friendship, and hospitality, Coop’s Soups is offering more than food; it’s creating a place of belonging and hope for those who might never set foot in a church building.
City Church of Compton is a vibrant community-centered fresh expression of church located in Compton, California. Originally planted by Emmanuel Reformed Church, City Church has become a beacon of hope and transformation in a city once plagued by gang violence and poverty. With a mission to foster relationships through acts of service, City Church focuses on building deep connections with its neighbors, creating a sense of belonging and safety in the community.
