Today, I’m excited to interview CF Connect partner Chris Phillips. Chris serves as pastor of Riverside Church in Denver, Colorado. He and his family relocated to Denver in 2017 to begin a new church plant alongside the North American Mission Board (NAMB). Before serving as a church planter in Denver, Chris served as a pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. He holds a B.S. from the University of Tennessee and an M.A.C.M from Liberty University. He is pursuing a Doctorate in Executive Leadership at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chris is married to Libby, and they have three sons, Tripp, Paxton, and Rhett, and one daughter, Henley Grace.
Tell us about your current ministry context.
Chris Phillips: Riverside Church is located in Denver, Colorado, in the urban context and urban edge. Our church is focused on the “one.” 95% of Denver is spiritually disconnected from Christ. We are running hard to tell them about the love of Jesus and lead them to live the Jesus life. We serve more affluent communities in urban Denver, with the average attendee between the ages of 28 and 34. Core motivators among our people are success, purpose, belonging, and experience, so we often address these things.
What is the greatest challenge you face as a church right now?
Chris Phillips: We face a variety of challenges in Denver. First, only about 5% of people in our area have a faith background. Second, people live here less than three years on average, meaning our time to invest in their lives is limited. The most significant challenge we face right now is finding 3rd space environments for people to “test the waters” and find community within our church family. Denver is the 3rd loneliest city in America, and finding spaces for people to come out of their shells is difficult. Their first step isn’t typically toward a church, so we try to find other spaces to bring our church community to our city.
What is one piece of advice you would offer new church planters?
Chris Phillips: I would tell future church planters that God has called them to plant their church and no one else. If they try to do what others are doing or be who others are, they won’t reach the people God’s called them, and only them, to reach. With that in mind, they should focus not on starting a worship service first but on uniquely engaging their community. Planters often try to start a church, then make disciples, and then engage a city, but they should do the reverse instead: (1) engage a city, (2) make disciples, and (3) start the church. I have found that this order is more effective for long-term success.
How is your family doing?
Chris Phillips: My family, right now, is thriving. We feel a deep sense of calling to this city and are more committed to that call than ever before. We’re busy for sure, but we’re healthy. My wife and I have kept the following rhythm, which has helped us stay focused on the main thing: Dialogue Daily, Date Weekly, and Depart Often.
What is God teaching you in this season?
Chris Phillips: Patience. I’m an enneagram 3—a highly driven and disciplined person—but taking on a dying church a little over a year ago and embracing a “one church in multiple locations and languages” mindset has taught me about patience in new ways. God continues to teach me that he can do it and doesn’t need me, but I get to join in his activity.
How can Champion Forest pray for you?
Chris Phillips: We’re praying for influence in Denver’s Jefferson Park and Central Park and among the Spanish-speaking communities. We are also asking God to inspire and provide future planters, GenSenders, and missionaries to join us for his work in Denver, the West, and the World. We would appreciate it if you would join us in praying for these things.
CF Connect exists to encourage and support pastors and church planters doing the work of ministry. God continues to accomplish incredible things through faithful CF Connect partners.
