United Methodist Church of the Resurrection

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection is a congregation of the United Methodist Church.^[1] The original campus is located in Leawood, Kansas, with additional locations in Olathe, Kansas, downtown Kansas City, Missouri & Blue Springs, Missouri.^[2] It is the largest United Methodist congregation in the United States, with a membership of over 22,000^[3] and average weekly attendance for all campuses of 12,000 people in 2018.^[4] The United Methodist Saint Paul School of Theology moved its facilities from Kansas City, Missouri to the Church of the Resurrection in fall of 2013.

The Church of the Resurrection’s founding and senior pastor is Reverend Adam Hamilton. Hamilton started the congregation in 1990. Hamilton is committed to the renewal of the mainline church, especially the United Methodist Church. In 2012 he was invited by the White House to deliver the message at the National Prayer Service as a part of President Obama’s second inauguration.

History

In 1990, Church of the Resurrection started as a small church with a goal to welcome thinking people not actively involved in a church. Resurrection met for its first worship service in McGilley Funeral Home, with approximately 100 people in attendance. By 1992, attendance grew and the church began meeting at Leawood Elementary School.

They moved into their first permanent sanctuary in fall of 1994, which is now the Wesley Covenant Chapel. As growth continued, the church constructed a larger sanctuary in 1998 that currently serves as the student center. The continued growth made way for a 3,050-seat sanctuary, an educational wing and prayer chapel in 2004. Live web streaming of worship services began in late 2008 for those unable to worship at a physical location. Since the launch of live streaming, groups around the city and country gather to watch the services online. By 2011, Church of the Resurrection was noted as one of the ‘Top Churches to Watch in America’^[5] and held 24 Candlelight Christmas Eve worship services between its four campuses, with 27,936 people in attendance.

In 2017, the church opened a new sanctuary which seats 3,500 and includes a large stained glass window called The Resurrection Window. The Resurrection Window was designed by Judson Studios to tell the biblical story, capturing themes of scripture including creation, sin, redemption and restoration. The church now averages an attendance of 12,000 per weekend.

Beliefs

Resurrection is part of the United Methodist denomination, the second largest Protestant denomination in America.

United Methodists value the full participation of women and men, people of all backgrounds in all facets of fellowship and leadership within the church and society. Resurrection holds the belief that the goal of the Christian life is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Valuing worship, preaching, small groups, and serving those who are in need, Methodists are known as “reasonable enthusiasts,” being both emotionally and intellectually engaged.

The Church of the Resurrection states three emphases:

1. Purpose: To build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians.
2. Vision: To be used by God to change lives, strengthen churches, and transform the world.
3. Journey: To know, love and serve God.

Regional Campuses

West – In August 2006, a second Resurrection location was launched in western Johnson County at Prairie Trail Junior High. More than 700 people worshiped at the first service. In 2009, a permanent Resurrection West location was built at the intersection of K-7 and K-10 in Olathe. The building opened for worship in December 2011 and in 2016 the campus expanded, adding additional classrooms and a new narthex space. The campus pastor is Jason Gant.

Downtown – The downtown location opened in 2009 in the Grand Avenue Temple. December of 2011, Resurrection Downtown moved into their own space, the former Crosstown Station. In late 2015, the downtown location purchased and acquired the Kansas City Star parking lot a block from its previous church location. This new, permanent location opened in June 2018. Campus pastor Scott Chrostek and the congregation are committed to reshaping ministry in the heart of the city to reflect the energy and diversity of downtown Kansas City.

Blue Springs – The fourth Resurrection campus opened in Blue Springs in 2010, merging with North Spring United Methodist Church, providing an opportunity for growth for both churches in order to reach more people in the community. Penny Ellwood serves as the campus pastor.

In 2011, Church of the Resurrection launched four partner churches across the country, learning how to support United Methodist churches and help them grow.

Local and global missions

In 1992, 16 members went on the first Resurrection sponsored mission trip to Brownsville, Texas. In January 1997, 26 members participated in the church’s first international mission trip to help construct Oberlin High School in Jamaica. In 2017, over 100 people participated in international mission trips to Honduras, South Africa, Malawi and Haiti, as well as over 200 students serving in locations throughout the United States.

The church also emphasizes making an impact in its local community. The Local Impact Ministry partners with groups and organizations to transform the Kansas City area. Current local missions have an emphasis on education and school partnerships. Resurrection partners with Wendell Phillips, Troost, Wheatley, JA Rogers, Welborn, Quindaro and Ridgeview elementary schools to provide tutoring services and meal assistance.

Image gallery

• 
  Exterior of church, Note very large size of stain glass window
• 
  Judson Studios monumental work - A Story of Three Gardens
• 
  Detail of the head of Christ

References

External links

• Church of the Resurrection Website
• Resurrection Leawood
• Resurrection West (Olathe)
• Resurrection Downtown
• Resurrection Blue Springs
• Adam Hamilton's blog
• Sacred Spaces Website (information about the church's sacred art and architecture)