Orangewood Community Church

Orangewood Community Church is a Christian church located in Phoenix, Arizona. It was established as a joint church plant by Classis Arizona of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) and Southwest Classis of the Reformed Church in America (RCA). The church initiated its public worship services on June 14, 2020, and continues to foster community engagement and serve the local neighborhood.

History

The church site was originally home to Orangewood CRC, a congregation founded in the 1950s. This previous congregation disbanded in 2015. The property was subsequently used by Christ's Community Church, an RCA congregation from Glendale, Arizona, as a satellite ministry from mid-2015 until December 2019. Following this, Classis Arizona and Southwest Classis collaborated to restart a church presence at the site, leading to the establishment of Orangewood Community Church.

Collaboration and Mission

The church represents a unique collaboration between two denominations. The CRC provides the building, while the RCA supplies the personnel. This partnership reflects a broader cooperation agreement between the RCA and CRC signed in 2014. The mission of Orangewood Community Church is to create a welcoming community where people can feel accepted and supported in their faith journey.

Activities During the Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the church operated under local health guidelines, maintaining an average attendance while offering weekly worship services. This period allowed the church to focus on providing comfort and support to the local community during challenging times.

Governance and Oversight

The church is supported equally by both CRC and RCA classes, with a joint oversight team overseeing its operations. Despite denominational differences, the church aims to harmonize its efforts in missional work and community service.