Commissioning of New Church in Durham

“If there are good things that happen at Durham Resurrection Community, Warren's Grove gets the credit.” This was said by Pastor Ryan Quanstrom on Sunday, September 11th, 2011. He said this while preaching at Warren's Grove United Methodist Church here in Roxboro. This was to be Quanstrom's last Sunday with Warren's Grove, for he will be starting a church in Durham called Durham Resurrection Community, a Church of the Nazarene.

Two and a-half years ago Ryan Quanstrom was assigned to Warren's Grove as their Student Associate Minister. During that time Quanstrom learned what it meant to be a pastor and to be in ministry through a local church. In his sermon he described his experience with Warren's Grove this way: “Warren's Grove has embraced me and loved on me. You have been a church that has helped me to live into the calling the Lord has placed on my life.”

During Quanstrom's time serving Warren's Grove he has preached numerous times, visited the sick, lead a Sunday School class, helped with a mission trip to Outdoor Mission Camp, spoke at WikiWorship, started a young adult ministry, and many more things. Pastor Philip Chryst said this about Quanstrom: “Ryan has truly been a blessing to Warren's Grove. It is sad to see him go — while at the same time we are so proud of Ryan. We are excited to see the Holy Spirit use him to reach out to the community of Durham with love and compassion.”

In his sermon Quanstrom described why he is starting a new church in Durham. He said: “There are a great number of people in pain and people that are suffering in Durham. Durham is a community where tons of young people are lonely and need the love of Jesus, and it seems as if the church is not present in that pain and in that suffering. So we are going to be a community of faith that embodies radical hospitality.”

Later in the service the congregation of Warren's Grove came to the altar and laid hands on Ryan Quanstrom and members of his church that were in attendance. Many people in the congregation prayed for Durham Resurrection Community. They then commissioned the church to go and be in mission to the city of Durham. To go and make disciples of Jesus Christ.

The pattern of commissioning comes from the book of Acts chapter 13. In that chapter it says: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

Since Durham Resurrection Community is starting from scratch, the people of Warren's Grove took up a love offering to bless the church. They collected over $1,200. This will help to get the church started with the basic necessities like office supplies.

If you would like to find out more about Durham Resurrection Community you can find them on Facebook and Twitter.

In his sermon, Quanstrom concluded by saying: “We are going to refuse to buy into that fear that dictates so many peoples' lives. Instead, we will have courage. For we hope to be a sign and foretaste of the coming Kingdom of God.”