In 2021, CityHope in Rochester, New York, was struggling. Having endured a couple recent leadership transitions and lacking clear vision, the congregation was withering. Bogged down with $450,000 of debt and only a few dozen attenders, CityHope was forced to consider some difficult decisions. One option was to close; a second option was to merge with an existing church; and the third option was one more chance through a new pastoral hire. CityHope’s congregation was praying and willing to trust God with something new.
At the same time, Pastors Justin and Hannah Bowersox were on staff at a Canadian church and feeling pulled to return to Rochester to take the next step in their pastoral leadership. There were two churches that stood out during their time of transition: a thriving church in a neighboring district and the other, CityHope on the Penn York District. During their discernment period, Justin and Hannah acknowledged their fear about transitioning to a dying church. But the name “CityHope” kept drawing them and upon entering CityHope’s doors, they knew it was home.
Justin said, “God used our previous experience of the church we were at to lead now in this season.” Upon their arrival, only 25 or so people showed up for their candidate weekend with a portion being Bowersox relatives. The congregation was tired, worn and hurt. Most of all, Justin and Hannah knew that because it was a dying church, there was a potential for the remaining remnant to be stubborn and prideful. This was not the case. CityHope was a loving group of people that still had a huge heart for Rochester and the world.
That remnant, however, still had a huge heart for the city of Rochester. Hannah describes the people as “beautiful plants who were withering, looking for love and care. All they did was sprinkle a little love and water and the plants came immediately back to life.”
Three years later, CityHope is a very different church. Their debt has been reduced to $275,000. They have grown to about 140 people who would consider CityHope their church home, with an average attendance near 100. There have been several salvations and baptisms. Most importantly though, Justin and Hannah have equipped people to come alive in their giftings, giving away keys to ministry.
CityHope now has an outreach team, a solid kids’ program and a small groups ministry. Hannah marvels at the impact: “We could not accomplish what we do with that tiny group of 20, but now the impact is spreading because we can continue to pass off keys to ministry.” Additionally, 14 students have started coming regularly to youth group.
Hannah sees growth in another direction as well: “The growth is not just growth in the church, but it is growth outward into the community.” Justin says, “The big shift is that we were a ‘come and see’ church, now [we are] a ‘go and be’ church.”
This direction has led to an increase in community partnerships. The laity began putting feelers throughout the community asking how the church could serve. Responses led them to host a drug rehab program, participate in community outreaches, join the emergency services’ annual Trunk or Treat and throw a community-wide block party in partnership with 10 organizations. In collaboration with the drug rehab program, they have shared sermons with participants and provided work opportunities giving people job training and references. CityHope also partners with other local Wesleyan churches for a Good Friday service. Hannah reflected, “We started one or two partnerships and God just flung open the doors.”
One poignant partnership outreach example came through a nearby laundromat. After collecting quarters, food, snacks and detergent pods, Justin and Hannah equipped leaders to be present at the laundromat for an eight-hour period. From the simple acts of paying for people’s laundry and providing snacks, CityHope’s people were able to engage in spiritual conversations with customers during a time where they would typically zone out on their phones. One lady was overcome by the demonstration of love as she came into the laundromat unable to afford to wash her clothes. Another customer was angry at a church presence there, but when asked if CityHope could pay for his laundry, he was so moved that his whole demeanor changed. The Bowersox point to this as one of the most impactful outreach initiatives. By simply loving their community in this tangible way, trust has been built between the community and CityHope.
Justin and Hannah have shared their desire to see 100 people come to know Jesus and be baptized, increase their small group culture and become a sending church that values multiplication. Justin however acknowledges the challenges of church change saying, “When people go, it is hard. You do not get to choose who you pastor.”
District Superintendent Matthew Pickering commented that it has been exciting to see CityHope begin to experience new life and vitality: “As a district, we are proud of the caring and visionary pastoral leadership that Justin and Hannah are providing the church and the way the church family has responded. The church’s commitment to ‘go and be’ is impacting the community with the hope of Christ … For the church, CityHope is more than just a name!”
Despite the challenges, Hannah recognizes that God’s hand has been and will continue to be with them as they move forward: “It would be impossible for us, out of our own charisma and talent, to do what the Holy Spirit is doing here, in the minute details and the large details, too.”
Rev. Jacob Gibson is the senior pastor at LifeSpring Wesleyan Church, Richmond, Indiana, and graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University and Wesley Seminary, Marion, Indiana.
