The Urban Church: A Journey of Calling, Conviction, and Worship in Spirit and Truth

Carlos Rizzon | Belo Horizonte, 22/05/2008

I was blessed with the opportunity to study at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, in its South Florida branch, where I had the honor of learning from several incredible professors. Among them was the inspiring Pastor and Missionary Luiz Amaro, whose classes on Philosophy and Epistemology applied to the biblical context left a profound and lasting impact on my way of thinking.

The following year, I encountered something that would “catalyze” my journey even further: The Catalyst Conference, held in Atlanta, Georgia. Although I wasn’t able to attend in person, the content and vision of the event spoke deeply to my spirit. It confirmed essential aspects of what it means to be a true Christian—not merely one moved by emotions, cultural trends, or extravagance, but someone grounded in the Good News that is indeed good and continually renewing, as the Lord refreshes His word in our hearts each day.

The Birth of a Vision

It was in this context—between the Seminary, Ancient Paths, and Catalyst—that the vision of Urban Church began to take shape. It was a time of confirmation, of convictions being refined and reaffirmed.

One of the verses that most deeply expresses the urban mission of the gospel is found in John 4:23:

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”

This verse marks a pivotal point in Jesus’ ministry, where grace is revealed, paradigms are broken, and the kingdom is firmly announced. He offers the world the only way to the Father:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” — John 14:6

Here, Jesus dismantles one of the deepest-rooted traditions in religious thinking—the idea that worship requires a specific place, method, or format. Instead, He establishes that worship must be in spirit and in truth.

At Jacob’s well, Jesus crosses social, cultural, and gender barriers by engaging with a Samaritan woman, showing that true worship isn’t bound by location or tradition, but by the posture of the heart.

A Church That Goes Beyond Walls

This is where the understanding of the Urban Church begins. We are called to be the Church even when we are not within the physical structure of a church building. The Church is not an address—it is a people, a presence, and a purpose.

When I began working with the Ancient Paths Ministry in 2002, it was all new: the message, the structure, the vision, the language. It introduced me to the understanding of identity, destiny, and purpose—a framework that helped clarify God’s design for individuals beyond the pulpit or traditional ministry roles.

Through the teachings of Pastor Craig Hill, I came to see that everyone has a divine calling. Not all are called to be pastors or missionaries in the conventional sense, but all are called to serve. He used the example of a carpenter to illustrate that any work done with the right heart and attitude becomes an offering to the Lord—a holy act of worship.

Catalyzed by Truth, Grounded in Worship

When I combined these truths with my experiences at Seminary and the inspiration from Catalyst, my understanding of Church expanded. It no longer fit in a single category or building.

The Urban Church I believe in is alive, relevant, and apostolic—just like the Church described in Acts 2:42–47. It is present wherever the people of God are:

In traffic
At work
At school
In business meetings and casual conversations
In silence and in proclamation

And in all these places, we worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.

A Church That Is the Mission

As Augustine once said, “Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” In the Urban Church, we live the gospel before we preach it. Our lives are the message, not just our sermons or songs.

We believe that the Church does not have a mission—
—the Church is the mission.

“Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’” — John 20:21 (NIV)

The Father sent the Son,
the Son and the Father sent the Holy Spirit,
and now the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit send the Church.

Praise the Lord!

The Journey Continues

This journey of faith, calling, and understanding is ongoing. The Urban Church is not a building, but a movement of people called out—ekklesia—sent to proclaim the transformative message of the gospel in every place and circumstance.

We are the Church wherever we go.
We are the mission wherever we are.
We worship in spirit and in truth, wherever God sends us.

Carlos Rizzon
Belo Horizonte, 22/05/2008
Igreja Urbana – “Chamados para Fora”