America is approaching the third anniversary of the terrorists’ attack of September 11, 2001. Most people can remember where they were and what they were doing when those planes hurtled into the World Trade Center towers. Some have indicated that this tragedy was the beginning of World War III.

One can scarcely go to an airport and through the screening process without realizing that times have changed. Watching television produces constant reminders of whether we are under a Code Yellow (“elevated” risk of an attack), Code Orange (“high”) or Code Red (“severe”).

At Code Red the nation would go into a virtual lockdown mode. Planes could be grounded, trains could stop running, and bridges and tunnels could be closed. U.S. borders might well be sealed off, and roadblocks might be set up on interstates and other major highways.

 

A church at ground zero

Dave McIntyre, deputy director of the Anser Institute for Homeland Security, has said, “A code red alert essentially means you stop doing everything except protecting yourself.”

Many will also remember the cast iron cross that was reportedly found after the September 11 attacks. Laborer Frank Silecchia found the cross “standing almost upright” in the midst of the rubble. “Some will say it’s velocity or physics that put it there. To me it’s an act of God,” said Silecchia, who cried for 20 minutes after his discovery./

Yet, in the midst of all that tragedy and near the cross, which has now been placed atop a 40-foot foundation, God has enabled Southern Baptists to plant a church initially referred to as the church at “ground zero.”

This fellowship of believers has risen out of the chaos of 9/11 like the mythological bird, the Phoenix, rose out of the ashes to soar into the heavens. There is also the words to a song, “love grew where the blood fell,” that speaks of Calvary’s love, but it could also speak of the love that established a church where the blood of men and women was shed in those brave rescue efforts.

Today, the “ground zero” church is called the Mosaic Manhattan Church and meets each Sunday at P.S. 89, a public school near the sight of the World Trade Centers.

Gregg Farah, 35, is a native New Yorker and senior pastor of the fledgling, but growing congregation. For 15 years Farah had been on the West Coast gaining valuable life experiences as a public high school teacher, writer and youth pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, but often dreamed of starting a church in lower Manhattan.

However, after the events of 9/11, Farah knew the time had come to fulfill his calling. New York and especially Lower Manhattan needed God more than ever. He stated, “Our desire is to reach out to the people of this city to restore their faith in God. Mosaic Manhattan is a place where people can pursue authentic relationships regardless of their past, present or hopes for the future.

“We want to help people know God and to fulfill their purposes in life.”

 

Nontraditional methods

Mosaic Manhattan in not a traditional church. A loud, energetic band provides the music for the worship services and Farah’s sermons are peppered with film clips, original videos, pop culture trivia and lots of humor.

“Yet,” Farah adds, “In each worship experience I want to demonstrate how the Bible is a flawless handbook that helps people succeed in life and that gives straight answers for issues relating to work, family, relationships, tragedy and all other areas of life.”

Farah says that 96% of Lower Manhattan is unchurched and admits that New Yorkers are cynical, analytical and investigative, but eager to embrace a relationship. His desire is for Mosaic Manhattan Church to provide a community of love that will help people discover a relationship with Jesus Christ.

One of Farah’s goals is to plant three other churches within the next 12 months: one in the area of the United Nations Headquarters with leadership provided by staff member Paul Gomez, one on the lower East side of Manhattan with staffer Dustin Bagby providing direction and one in Hoboken, New Jersey, with Dylan Jackson being the lead pastor.

 

Raising support

The Manhattan Mosaic Church has nine staff members and each one is responsible for raising his/her own support with the exception of Farah, whose support is provided by the North American Mission Board.

While Mosaic Manhattan is predominately backed by NAMB, it has an unusually large amount of support from at least 12 churches of 5 different denominations, as well as from individual backers.

There are a large number of people across the nation who are sustaining Mosaic Manhattan either by sending volunteers, contributing financially or praying for the success of the church. Georgia Baptists have an opportunity to provide support as we undergird our partnership with the New York Baptist Convention.