February 10, 2023
By Josh
Skylark would not exist apart from our church partners. We desire to grow the family of God in depth, number, and intimacy. All of that happens in and through the work of God in His church. In Matthew 16:18, we see Jesus affirm Peter. He states that “on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” He has a plan for a lasting, durable, and vibrant church.
Skylark’s Church Partners Are Fulfilling the Great Commission
The church has a calling to fulfill the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” We are a para-church ministry. This means (quite literally) that we exist for the church.
Our church partners are active in living out the call to love and serve their communities through obeying the calling of scripture. We know that when churches are actively reaching and loving the community, hungry people are fed, mourning people are comforted, lonely people are connected in deep friendships, hurting people are healed, and people’s needs are met! This is a big responsibility and blessing for the church to live out.
Building a Bridge Between the Church and Community
When we think about the calling the church has, we get PUMPED about supporting them in the best way we can. Churches build facilities to naturally accommodate gathering crowds and engaging families. We have a natural gift and desire to fill those spaces with kids having a blast with our staff and through our program. This helps build a bridge between the church people and the community around it. The community who needs childcare, fun summer activities for their kids, or a safe place where they trust their kids will be well cared for.
Where are Skylark’s Church Partners Located?
Our current partners share our passion for reaching the community with the love of Jesus. We have been able to buy into their mission and run alongside them to open their doors to the community in new ways. With four current partners (camp locations), we’re excited to grow our reach to six partners beginning later this year for a push toward summer 2024!
Irving Bible Church
Irving Bible Church reaches the Irving/Las Colinas/Coppell/Farmers Branch area with dynamic programs for a diverse community around it. We’ve been partnering with Irving Bible since summer of 2021, and have loved their heart for reaching their neighbors from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities.
Cottonwood Creek
Cottonwood Creek has been a partner since summer 2021, as well, and they serve as a beacon for the Allen/McKinney/Frisco/Plano communities. We have enjoyed the desire of Cottonwood Creek to utilize every bit of their property to serve the community and serve the Lord. They have a heart for reaching the varying needs of one of the fastest growing communities in the country.
TCAL
TCAL (The Community at Lake Ridge) is on fire to reach their neighbors in the Mansfield/Midlothian/Cedar Hill/Venus communities. Our team has loved the energy and commitment they display to their neighbors. There’s always a party at TCAL Church and so many people are getting to experience the love of Christ through their ministries. We’ve enjoyed getting to partner with them since summer of 2022.
CityBridge Community Church
CityBridge Community Church has also been partnering with us since 2022. They are a church providing a safe place for people to come and be real and honest about who and where they are while also experiencing the high call of following Jesus. CityBridge aims to reach their neighbors in Plano/Collin County with the gospel by consistently providing that safe place. We’ve greatly enjoyed their hospitality as they find creative ways to engage the city around them.
Pray for Skylark’s Church Partners
We’re stoked to get to partner with these four churches. We have seen and will continue to see God work in them on Sundays and between Sundays. There’s no doubt we’ll have a blast serving the church with partners like these. Would you be praying for them as they encounter people in need on the frontlines daily? We take seriously our call to serve the church. We truly believe the church will benefit greatly from hosting our partnership!