If we have not met yet, my name is Andy Ginn, and I serve as Pastor of The Ridge Church here in North Columbus. As we begin to get to contribute to our community, we wanted our very first experience with our neighbors to feel less like an advertisement of why us and more like a conversation, the kind you might have with a neighbor at the mailbox or standing in the driveway at the end of the day.
Our church often talks about four simple words that guide who we are: Belong, Grow, Serve, and Send. As we move through the year, we will share about each of them, but everything starts with the first one, belonging.
North Columbus is a wonderful place to live. Families are moving in, schools are thriving, and our area continues to grow. Yet even in a good community, many people still feel surprisingly alone. People commute, schedules stay full, kids have activities almost every night, and it becomes easy to live near one another without truly knowing one another.
We have learned that most people are not immediately searching for a church service. They are searching for connection. They want to know someone would notice if they showed up, or if they didn’t.
One of the most meaningful things about the life of Jesus is that before He taught crowds or performed miracles, He shared meals. He welcomed people others overlooked. He spoke to those who felt invisible. Before their beliefs were sorted out or their lives were cleaned up, they were invited close. They belonged first, and their lives were changed from there.
That spirit shapes our church.
Belonging does not mean you have to have a church background. It does not mean you have to know when to stand or sit, or what words to say. Many who visit are simply hoping for a place where their kids feel safe, where someone remembers their name, and where they can breathe for an hour without pressure.
Sometimes belonging looks like coffee and conversation after a service. Sometimes it is children making their first friends in a new city. Sometimes it is a small group gathering in a living room where people pray for one another during real-life moments, job changes, illness, parenting struggles, and celebrations.
We believe faith actually grows best in community, not in isolation. When people know they are cared for, questions become easier to ask, and hope becomes easier to hold onto.
Stay tuned and engaged this year as we will talk about growing in faith, serving our neighbors, and living with purpose beyond ourselves. But before any of those matters, people need a place where they are welcomed simply as they are. If you ever find yourself looking for that kind of place, we would genuinely love to meet you. You are always welcome at The Ridge Church.
