Our History

A Brief History of Christ’s Community

In 1990, a young pastor learned he was getting a new assignment. He was being transferred from his small church near the lake to a church in Joplin. There was a catch, however. The church in Joplin didn’t exist yet, he would have to start from scratch.

The starting four couples had their first meetings in homes during the summer of 1990, and discussed their vision of what a church could be. They looked to the kinship of the early church as an example, hoping their new church would develop into a community of believers in Christ – hence the name Christ’s Community.

A suite was rented in a shopping center, and the doors were opened for services on October 7, 1990. The church lived up to its motto of “Welcome Home”. So often visitors have commented on how they’ve quickly felt right at home. Growth was quick, they soon needed to rent another suite, then another. Again, the available space filled with people.

In the spring of 1992, the church family of Christ’s Community moved into their new home at the current location. Growth has continued - in membership, in the facilities, and in the ministries provided. An education wing was added in 1994, and its basement was finished two years later. In 2002, the main level of the church was expanded, increasing the size of the Great Room and adding Children and Youth facilities. The upstairs Youth Center was finished in 2004. A building committee is already giving thought to what the next addition will be, when it is time.

Currently Christ’s Community, with a membership of about 1000 people, has grown to be one of the largest United Methodist churches in the state. Four services are held weekly. The Sunday evening service, Wide Open, is held at an off-site location near the university. Many classes are offered, and many missions are supported.

The church also runs Discovery School, offering pre-school and elementary education, for children 2 years old through 6th grade. Much effort goes into our Children’s and Youth Ministries, so that our children may have the benefit of developing a strong faith in God before going out into the world on their own.

Through the years, the primary mission of Christ’s Community has been to reach out to the unchurched or nominally churched, bringing them into a relationship with God, and to be vibrant followers of Christ. Many of the people that come to our worship services have been turned off by church or hurt at one time. They came here and experienced something incredible in their lives. God touched their hearts unlike any other time in their life!

If you’re looking for a church home, or just thinking you might want to give church a try, we invite you to join us. We would love to help you experience God in your life!