Mobilizing the Church to Multiply Impact
Through coalitions of local churches united to meet the critical needs in their communities.
Churches,
Working Together
for the City
Most church leaders desire to work together, they just don’t know how to get started. Churches often work in silos - disconnected from each other and limiting the community transformation they can make. Houston Responds exists to build and support coalitions of churches and partners in every community of Greater Houston working together, loving their neighbors, and transforming their city. Hundreds of churches in local coalitions are already working to help Houston flourish.
The Problem:
Churches often work in silos, disconnected from each other and limiting the impact they can make.
The Solution:
Houston Responds unites and mobilizes churches and partners to multiply community impact
The Importance of Collective Impact and Relational Strength
We base our advising approach on the Collective Impact model* published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review. Their research shows that complex social problems are not solved in isolation, but rely on five conditions: a common agenda, shared measurement, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and backbone support. Houston Responds is the backbone organization that facilitates the other four conditions within these church coalitions. When collective impact is combined with relational strength, community transformation can be achieved.
*Stanford Social Innovation Review Collective Impact
Why Join?
Unity is central to our gospel witness
At the end of his time on earth, Jesus prayed that the church would function in unity for the sake of the gospel (John 17:20-23). We believe the greatest gospel witness is God’s diverse body functioning in unity for the sake of the world.
This work is hard. We need each other.
Whether your church is large or small, it does not possess the collection of experiences, giftings, and resources necessary to bring about a flourishing community alone. The efforts of diverse partners can bring about systemic transformation.
Get access to helpful resources and partners
We have learned a lot by helping hundreds of churches engage and impact their communities. These best practices, tools and connections to key partners are available to coalition members.
“The calling for churches to work together is paramount to the gospel. Houston Responds has been a catalyst to help us grow and show the light of Christ.”
— Irving Clark, Inspire Church
