I've been blessed to be a part of this new start-up church/church plant since near its onset in 2019.
Coming from a mega-Chinese church background, going to InterVarsity during my university years, and then spending 8 years at a small-ish church near my hometown, Restore22 is now the church I consider home. It's first and foremost the place I know God has called me to both serve and be served, but it's also the first church at which I have immediately felt at home. Maybe "home" feels different for others, but, for me, a "home" church means that I am not just loved and accepted for who I am, but also challenged to grow and become more of the me God made me to be so I can best live my life in His love and sharing His love with others.
My husband and I have an almost-five-year-old son and are expecting our second one soon, and our whole family has been so blessed not from just watching and attending services at Restore22, but from being a part of its small groups, core team, and serving in general. I haven't seen my husband so exponentially grow like this in his faith in the 8 years that I've known him, and it is clear that the small groups at Restore22 really foster a vulnerability and communal growth for men that is abnormal to (but amazing for the men at!) your typical small church plant. For me, that's one of the main reasons I know Restore22 is on the right track, because my husband's growth through small group and serving at the church has also led to him being more confidently being led by God, and, in turn, he more confidently leads our family in love and truth, and I feel safe and loved to be more of who God wants me to be. (: Our boy is curious about God and asks so many questions, and being with Restore22 has really helped us be confident and aware of the ways we parent him so that he learns to receive Jesus' love and give it away freely.
Of course, my own growth has also been positively impacted by being at Restore22. The whole community is committed to being transparent, vulnerable, and (most importantly) accepting - again, fostered by the small groups that take place, so I feel completely safe to be myself, ask questions, be challenged, and challenge others. Being part of Restore22 has helped me grow inwardly in my understanding of myself and God, but also shown me how to have real, authentic, deep relationships that are healthy and honest and loving with all of my friends and family, too.
You will definitely feel the warmth and Jesus-focused/community-centered growth if you ever choose to check Restore22 out! read more