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ORIGINS of Becoming
The origins of Becoming Church were intentional and strategic.
The year Becoming was established was 2023, which is Jordan year! Our success and greatness won't be superficial. It will be because we try, fail, get up, learn, and try again.
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan.
The date was Wednesday, November 1, which was All Saints Day. We stand on the shoulders of those saints who have gone before us. We also stand in solidarity with the saints who have been neglected, unheard, hurt, harmed, judged in our present. We will be saints who put faith into action. We won't be a weekend church. We will be a church at the intersection of people's daily lives. We started in the middle of the week. Not on a Saturday or Sunday. Because we strive to be a church that gathers and then puts love into action throughout the week.
PROGRESS REPORT
1. Since Becoming Church was established, we have been busy and on the move. We have had 91 one-on-one conversations with folks interested in being a part of Becoming or partnering with Becoming. Most of those conversations happened in local spots around Oswego (I.e. Village Grind, Oak & Bean, Oswego Family Restaurant, Benny's).
2. In addition to one-on-one meetings, we have been praying over the community, neighborhoods, businesses and streets of Oswego. We don't do so invasively or with an agenda. We are walking around and getting to know our people. Not forcing our religious beliefs or church onto anyone. Just being in relationship and centering those relationships in the life & story of God.
3. We have been identifying, brainstorming and developing our leadership team. We have 4 co-leaders ready and on-boarded. We have 8 members on our launch team. We are in communication and look to offer great things in 2024.
4. We have already been involved within the community. We have put in 45 hours of service through Hesed House, Aurora Participatory Democracy Hub, Boulder Hill, Bring Hope, Kane County Interfaith, Aurora local clergy network, and Wayside Cross.
5. We have been developing partnerships and relationships with community stakeholders within Oswego. This includes meeting with local pastors within the N. IL Synod, the affirming churches in Kendall County, and Oswego churches.
6. We have been exploring gathering spaces that we could use to host large group gatherings for Becoming
7. Building up our social media presence. We want to be a church that is available and accessible to everyone. As research shows, the digital church is here to stay. We plan to be a church that invests time, talent and energy to our digital presence. We have a strong following on IG and Facebook.
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