Austin Church Search: Austin New Church
When I first connected with Brandon Hatmaker, planter and pastor of Austin New Church, he made it very clear to me that Sunday’s are only a sliver of ANC. The Church can primarily be found in small groups focused on mission. They gather to do things like grill out with the homeless and clean up struggling schools.
Walking in the door of their rented High School auditorium Sunday, the first thing I passed was a table with information about ANC’s the non-profits partners. Not a recruiting table for a ministry, or even a welcome booth, but a way to get involved in serving the city.
The times I’ve visited there have been over 100 people, of all ages, including many young families. The worship band is not just chock full of raw quality, but they have a contagious energy that filled the room. The teaching was a the latest in a series marching through the book of John, striving to show what God’s mission is all about.
ANC does their best to set the standard high. They have no desire to be another consumer Church. Each month they have a “Serve Austin Sunday,” where the weekly gathering is called off to go and serve people throughout the city. Groups meet throughout the week, but are challenged to spend that time serving their neighbors, not just “fellowship.”
I love the heart of the leadership at ANC and I’m excited to see what will grow out of their unique take on Church.
