National Community Church Annual Report, 2022-2023

A Note FROM PASTOR MARK

It was August of last year. I’m on a silent retreat and I hear that still, small voice. I get a word from God that is inaudible yet unmistakable. The Spirit said, in no uncertain terms, “My house will be called a HOUSE OF PRAYER.”

I felt like the Lord said, “Mark, if this church, National Community Church, is a House of Prayer–if you prioritize prayer, if you organize around prayer–I’ll turn it into a house of HEALING, a house of MIRACLES, a house of DREAMS.”

What do you do with a prompting like that? You OBEY it.

In 2022, we launched House of Prayer on Thursday nights. It sets the tone, sets the table, sets the pace for NCC. We also moved into our new offices with an UPPER ROOM–a space devoted to prayer. And we continue to gather in the UPPER ZOOM as well.

The bottom line? Prayer is the way we write history before it happens! There is much to celebrate from 2022.

• We held our first annual REVIVAL, DREAM 22.

• We launched our DREAM COLLECTIVE.

• We were given a sacred trust–the EASTER SUNRISE at the LINCOLN MEMORIAL. We penned prayers in the UPPER ROOM. We sent teams out ON MISSION across the country and around the world. We celebrated the DC DREAM CENTER’s fifth

We have given more than a million dollars over the last three years to those in need through the COMMON FUND.

Thanks for your investment of time, talent, and treasure! It’s making a difference in the DC area and around the world. And the best is yet to come!

Lead Pastor, National Community Church

inspiring teaching community

A HOUSE OF PRAYER

We need your PRESENCE, your PRAYERS, your HEART, your VOICE to build a House of Prayer. We invite you to be part of our regular prayer gatherings:

• House of Prayer services every Thursday night

• Upper Room weekday prayer

• Upper Zoom online prayer

“Our highest privilege and greatest responsibility is prayer. Prayer is the difference between the best WE CAN DO and the best GOD CAN DO, and that’s a big difference. Prayer is the way we WRITE HISTORY before it happens.”

-Pastor Mark

TOGETHER.

When you choose to become a disciple of Jesus, you embark on a lifelong, Holy Spirit-empowered journey walked out in community. Together, we study the WORDS of Jesus, imitate the WAYS of Jesus, and partner in the MISSION of Jesus. And we inspire others around us to do the same.

When we walk alongside a small group of people, our journey as Jesus-followers is so much richer.

• Do life together in a small group (we have more than 100 to choose from)

• Serve with your gifts on a ministry team

• Learn and serve on mission with one of our partner teams

CORE GROUPS

If you’re questioning your faith, returning to faith, or just exploring what you believe—The Alpha Course might be a great place to start.

At Alpha, you can explore the Christian faith in the context of conversation, questions, and community. It’s free, and all are welcome. ncc.re/alpha

ALPHA COMMISSIONED

Commissioned is a 10-week group experience designed to help you grow as a disciple of Jesus. Throughout the experience, we will step into the story of Jesus while actively engaging in practices of a disciple. Each week, groups will interact with scripture and discuss the impact and transformative stories from our own lives.

ncc.re/commissioned

FRESHMEN OF THE CITY

A gathering for young adults 18-30. Small groups, social gatherings, and biblical teaching about practical ways to grow in your faith. ncc.re/freshmen

NCC MISSIONS

On mission every day.

We seek the peace and prosperity of the city.

IN OUR COMMUNITIES

We partner with local ministries and agencies in areas such as combating homelessness, refugee care, prison and re-entry ministry, and child advocacy.

AROUND THE WORLD

We support and learn from our global partners through ongoing relationships and by sending partner teams.

NCC KIDS

kids

Every child is created to have a relationship with God and with unique talents and abilities to influence their world and community. We create a fun and exciting environment during our services with worship, a meaningful lesson, games, and activities. We use a small group model of ministry so that each child is connecting regularly with invested and committed volunteers.

Partnering with parents to help

know how much God loves them.

NCC YOUTH

It is our priority that students are engage in their worlds and be positive influencers on others around them. God has wired them specifically with the circle of friends and influences that they have. We aim to equip, support, and encourage our students. We build them up so that they can engage in their environments at school and at home throughout each week.

We encourage students to have intimacy with God, community with believers, and influence in their worlds.

REVIVAL

We can’t make revival happen, but we can set the table for it. That’s what we do each January during our DREAM Revivals.

What is Revival?

What do we hope and pray will happen?

• Deepening hunger for the voice of God

• Reawakening hunger for wonder

• Sharpened vision to see supernatural demonstrations of God’s love and power

• Reigniting missional impulse, carried out in practical ways

“Revival is God’s response to our hunger.”

Pastor Heidi Scanlon

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL

This venerable Washington tradition has been a labor of love by Capital Church for 42 years. In 2022, its founding pastors, Amos and Sue Dodge, and lead pastors Travis and Tara Goodman, bestowed this sacred trust on National Community Church. We are deeply honored to be able to carry on the tradition of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the National Mall. This is one of the nation’s largest Easter services and attracts thousands of people from around the world.

Easter Sunrise 2023: April 6, 6:30am

We kick off the Christmas season in grand style each year with this familyfocused celebration which includes indoor train rides, pictures with Santa, and Christmas crafts and movies. About 2500 people from our community joined us this year.

An exuberant drum line kicks off our Christmas Eve celebrations, which this past year included a live Nativity complete with adorable angels and shepherds. A beautiful hush falls over the crowd as the light from the Christ candle is passed from person to person, illuminating the darkness with the light of Christ.

In 2023,

we’re

most excited about . . .

Launching two new churches birthed out of National Community Church.

Hosting pitch nights for God-inspired and kingdom-minded ventures.

Hosting Renaissance, a two day gathering to explore the intersection of marketplace and church.

Forming a 10-month mentoring cohort for lead pastors in conjunction with Southeastern University.

music, and storytelling that is beautiful, truthful, aspirational, or just plain fun. The Miracle hosts films, live performances, parties, conferences, and much more. themiracletheatre.com