Today we’d like to introduce you to David Henderson.
Hi David, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Philly kid born and raised, now in South Jordan, UT by way of Chicago, Dallas, and Denver. My wife (Victoria) and I were drawn to Utah before we had even thought of moving here. In 2018, we were part of a team planning a trip to help with a week-long summer kids camp in Centerville. Ironically, the trip fell through, but Victoria and I ended up hooked on Utah.
As we learned about the state and the people who call it home, one thing just kept wrecking us. We’ve dubbed it the “keep-it-together culture.” So many people in Utah feel like there’s a standard they have to meet. But what happens when you don’t meet it? What happens when you realize you could never meet it? So many others have rejected the standard for themselves, but know they’re still being held to it. When we can’t meet it, where do we go? So often, we think something is wrong with us – but the problem isn’t us, it’s the standard.
So what is this standard? We believe the standard is perfection. And the problem is no one could ever meet it. We have so many conversations with people who are trying to measure up and simultaneously trying to cope because they can’t.
Here’s our response: You’re right. You’ll never meet the standard of perfection. But there’s good news – you don’t have to because Jesus already did! And Jesus offers us a better way to live. Instead of expecting us to check all the boxes and hope we eventually make it, he offers us a relationship with him right now.
So we moved to Utah in September 2020 to start Neighborhood Church and tell as many people as we can who Jesus is and what that means for us. We want to introduce people to Jesus so they can have a life-changing relationship with him. We believe that when you meet Jesus, everything changes!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Moving to a new state during a global pandemic definitely made starting a new church interesting. But in some ways, it helped (forced) us to focus on what was really important to us: loving our neighbors and the people around us, and serving in ways that made our neighborhood better. We learned that we have the best neighbors! We threw our first block party in June 2021. Over 250 of our neighbors came out of Covid hibernation and it was amazing to see how such a simple thing could help people feel so connected after a really rough year.
Other than that, the road hasn’t exactly been smooth, but all of that pales in comparison to the joy of building a deep community. Starting something new can feel lonely at times. Really, just living can feel so lonely sometimes. If you’ve been there or are there right now, knowing that you’re not alone and you don’t have to figure it out on your own is so huge. That’s why we’re building a place that’s safe for anyone to ask the hard questions we all have.
Beyond that, we’ve learned that when you’re following Jesus, crazy is normal and normal is crazy. The Bible talks about how the cross seems foolish to many people, but it’s also the ultimate display of God’s power, love and complete forgiveness. That changes us.
How else does a Philly kid end up in Utah? What an adventure.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We’re starting Neighborhood Church to be a place where you don’t have to measure up to any standard – there’s a place for everyone here. You might be thinking you’re from a different religious tradition or faith background, or maybe you’re not very religious at all. If so, you’re not the only one. We’re building a community where you can belong no matter what you believe.
Neighborhood Church is a brand new, nondenominational Christian church. We’re called Neighborhood Church because we love the people around us – our neighbors. A neighborhood is a place, but it’s also something you do. We think of it like parenthood or childhood – something that’s part of your identity that you live out every day. We want to be good neighbors and make our community better.
Neighborhood Church is becoming a place that loves our community by serving, and that invites anyone and everyone into a safe place to not measure up, to explore faith and to have a relationship with Jesus.
We hosted our first-ever Church in the Living Room on August 21, 2022! It’s just what it sounds like – a simple, laid-back gathering in our living room, where we can breathe, let down our walls, and be free to not have it all together. We have a few worship songs, a message from the Bible, and a short time to reflect on what that message means for us. Everyone is invited!
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Anyone and everyone is invited to Church in the Living Room, every Sunday at 10 am!
Right now, we’re building a team of 10 families or individuals who will commit to helping launch Neighborhood Church. If you’re interested in building relationships and making the community a better, more loving place, you can join the team no matter what you believe.
Once we have a team of 10 families and individuals, we’ll set a date and find a facility for Grand Opening, which will be a lot like what we do now, just on a bigger and broader scale.
We’d love to meet you!
Contact Info:
- Website: heyneighborhood.com
- Instagram: @heyneighborhood
- Facebook: facebook.com/heyneighborhood
- Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCXQ84XgsRXH3GifIukwyNWA
