The world doesn’t need any more inward focused fear based churches and faith communities! Why does “Church” exist? What is the “Why” that brings together all of the aspects of Faith, Life and Positive Impact on the world for a body of believers gathering in the city of Lakewood?

Since 2005 Reg has led efforts to redefine why churches exist and what they can do together that no one church can do alone! The Church Network and Lakewood Faith Coalition together solve the problems in the city by building faith partners from our city! It is partnership that is going to change the world for good!

Reg challenges Faith Communities to envision their greater purpose as serving the greater good! “Inward” focused churches use their resources for themselves, but when a body of believers exists to serve their community and partners with other Faith Communities, Amazing Things happen!

Since 2012 these “Amazing Things” in Lakewood include raising $100’s of thousands of dollars to transform outdoor space at schools, mentoring over 450 children, supporting supplemental food programs feeding 1000’s and housing the homeless in churches across the city in the winter.

All of this is well and good but the bigger “Amazing Thing” might be that the fact that unity between faith traditions exists at all!  It is amazing when Churches merge their resources with the gifts and talents of other Faith Communities in order to broaden and deepen effective service impact. None of this unifying work happens without a champion and Lakewood Connects is that champion!

This year Reg has worked with a new group to support a vision tentatively called; “Shalom Outposts.” The Jewish word; “Shalom” means “Peace”, but it also means “Thriving” or “Flourishing.” When local churches thrive and flourish they, then can partner with others in order to create thriving flourishing neighborhoods. These churches become “Shalom Outposts” in their neighborhood!

Many Faith Communities in our city are struggling… one example would be Mountair Christian. This 100+ year old church serves their neighborhood in vital ways but it is aging and languishes with less than 50 members. In early June Reg led a group of faith, business and government leaders in a prayer walk in the Mountair neighborhood along with Pastor Ruben Rodriguez and the church leadership team.

We can find partnership opportunities within the Business, Government and Education communities that can support great Shalom Outposts like Mountair! The church like this needs a different “footprint” to operate from other than the traditional sanctuary! Could they transition to operate out of a Community Center? What about partnering with a Multi-Family Housing Facility? In order for the Shalom Outpost to thrive and create a thriving community we need to find new ways to do and be “Church!”

Thanks for your partnership with Lakewood Connects! The Shalom of our city depends on the work you are doing to thrive, flourish and envision a new wave of Community Connected Churches!

For 3 years Lakewood Connects has partnered with you to create a flourishing Lakewood by building partnerships. There is no reason why Government, Faith, Education and Business can’t work together for the common good! They just need a champion like you and Lakewood Connects to make good happen!

An effective leader in supporting schools in struggling neighborhoods is the Jeffco Schools Foundation. The foundation connects caring members of the community to classroom needs by raising funds and building partnerships to bridge gaps facing schools, teachers and students. Lakewood Connects has partnered with the foundation on several projects and their expert advice helps us aim service partnerships towards maximum positive impact.

Each April the foundation hosts their Gala, a capstone event that brings together School Administration, County, City, Business, Health and Faith leaders from across Jefferson, County.

At the Gala each year two awards are given out, the Norma Anderson Lifetime Achievement in Education Award and the Salazar Achievement in Philanthropy Award. Both awards are extreme honors and Lakewood Connects Executive Director Reg Cox was recognized as the recipient of the Salazar Award this year. Here is a short video that tells the story of the award and why Lakewood Connects was recognized at this year’s Gala.

This video and award are a tribute to hundreds of volunteers, partners and friends who have given thousands of hours to support the vision of Connection and Partnership in Lakewood, Colorado. It is our hope that this Partnership Vision spreads to others across the country, re-imagines what Faith and “Church” is for, and builds Pathways of Transformation to millions of people struggling in various ways. When we break down the fear, misunderstanding, prejudice and wounds separating organizations, ideologies, faith, races, gender and professional services in our country we can realize the dreams and hopes we all share and cherish! Thank you for believing in the better and fighting with us for the best!