We want you to get to know every one of the leaders and what brought them to plant within Reunion. In this week's Newsletter, we wanted to introduce you to Chris Cribari, who handles our outreach ministries and is a teaching pastor with us. Below is his story of how he came to be part of the Reunion Church team.
Chris' Story-
When did Reunion Church begin? Well with the idea of two of our pastors: Andrew and David. Back when frost-tipped hair was still in style. They envisioned a new way of doing church that prioritized people over places and programs. Now that's a story for them to tell as far as where we started, but I can share where I joined their team.
Walk with me for a minute. It’s about mid-December 2016. I’d just dropped out of the Colorado Film School and was also leaving my family’s home church after being there for nearly 10 years. Aimless doesn’t begin to define where I was emotionally at that point. A man, but no mission. No direction as I also began my deconstruction of faith.
I’m sitting in the far back end of the parking lot in my car after attending my last service as a member of this church. It’s a brisk Wednesday night in Colorado and I just sit there reflecting on the change of things. Then my phone rings and it’s Andrew.
He’s in a panic and driving. Don’t know why yet, but the tone of voice he had set us up for a vulnerable conversation. He had just been excommunicated from his church and stripped of his role as a youth pastor.
Now the conversation we had will stay between us because not all intimate moments need to be internet-made. One thing I will share was his ask of me. To join him in creating this new type of church. In the midst of the chaos of that night, he still had this vision and believed now it was time to turn a divine call into action.
Fast forward 5 years later and now the faithful actions of a few are blossoming into the firm foundation of Reunion Church. A group of rag-tag displaced believers looking to guide people home has transformed into a local movement of many who have responded to the call from God. A community that is on a mission to redeem, restore, and reunite all people to God.