ELK GROVE, Calif, (OBSNews.com) – As people in the community face economic challenges not seen in generations, 15 Christian churches in Elk Grove are coming together for the next eight weeks to cohesively serve a community where so many are hurting.

Each of the churches will come together as one church… “The Church At Elk Grove” and feature similar sermons from Sept. 12 to Nov. 1 based on 1 Corinthians 13, a chapter focused on loving and serving one another.

Church members will be asked to commit to reaching out to neighborhoods, putting up 2,500 lawn signs about the effort and supporting non-profit organizations that address the needs of the community.

“It is our hope that our local churches will focus outward and partner with neighborhoods and organizations in a mobilized effort to care for our neighbors who are hurting, restore relationships and bring healing to our entire community,” said Barry Smith, Senior Pastor at Impact Community Church in Elk Grove. “The dramatic needs in our community demand a united effort where we put our differences aside and work together. And it’s finally happening.”

The Church At Elk Grove effort also will feature a special City Hope ’09 program with 40 days of devotional guides and programs for small groups to come together weekly in an effort to reach our community with God’s love.

During the effort, the churches will be partnering with a number of non-profit organizations, including the Elk Grove Food Bank, a ministry focused on local teen rescue from human trafficking for prostitution called Courage House and the Elk Grove Community Non-Profit Network.

“We are excited to come together with other Christian churches to serve the community as Christ showed us how to do,” said Jason Whalen, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Elk Grove. “It is time for us as churches to look outward and serve our community and be the hands and feet of Jesus.”

The participating churches represent a broad range in the city, including:

- Discovery Church
- First Baptist Church of Elk Grove
- Grace Community Church
- Harvest Church
- Impact Community Church
- Laguna Christina Center
- Lifepointe Community Church
- Lighthouse Church
- Light of the Valley Church
- Living Water Lutheran Church
- Oak Tree Community Church
- Open Door Community Church
- Peace Presbyterian Church
- Reflect Church
- St. Peter’s Lutheran Church

Trevor Glenn, a local resident who is helping to organize “The Church at Elk Grove” effort, said he expects more churches to join the effort as it moves forward.

“We are gratified at the support and interest in supporting our community at this time and working together,” Glenn said.

For more information on the program, please visit www.thechurchatelkgrove.org