The Denver United Chronicles

Carrying Denver United into the Future

In 2008, what began as a God-ignited spark in the hearts of our founding pastors spread like wildfire to a small army of believers.  Known as the Launch Team, this band of visionaries grabbed hold of the dream and faithfully committed to establishing an outpost of God's Church in the city of Denver.  Stepping out in faith, venturing out from the humble beginnings of Pastor Rob's basement, they settled in Denver and quickly increased in number.  With a passion to be God's light in the city, they eagerly waited to see the unfolding of all that God had in store.  On January 25th, 2009, the team rolled out the black road cases for the very first time, transforming Sturm Hall into a place of worship.  Then on March 15th, 2009, the dream became a reality as the church officially opened its doors.  Denver United was born.

Over the past two years, we have all witnessed Jesus building His church in our midst.  We've continued to grow steadily in number as our passion to be a light for Christ in the city has remained our clarion call.  We've celebrated at each milestone -- our first birthday, first Christmas Eve service, installation of our Elders, welcoming Denver Church to our fold, and so much more.  We've rejoiced at the doors that God has opened for us to serve in our city through Thanksgiving outreaches, student move-in days, The Thorn, and GO Days.  And each week, humble, dedicated members of the Service Teams have faithfully carried forward the vision of Denver United.  Rolling up their sleeves, they've transformed Davis Auditorium and a handful of classrooms into the fully functional church we all know and love.  The dream of Denver United is alive and well.

On Sunday, May 15th, Pastor Rob unveiled the next opportunity to help carry the vision into the future.  The Dream Team, led by Perry Bacalis, will become stewards of the dream, helping to build God's church in the heart of Denver.  From setting up to brewing coffee, ushering to providing technical support, and so much more, they will weekly create an atmosphere ready for worship and fellowship so we can continue to bring the light of Christ to the people of Denver.

Denver United has come a long way from our humble beginnings in the basement, but God still has so much more of His story to write through our church in this city.  The Dream Team will be key to making that story a reality.  Join us, won't you, and let's build the future together!

To take the first step in becoming part of the Dream Team, email Perry Bacalis at perry.bacalis@denverunited.com.  For more information, visit the Dream Team page at DenverUnited.com.
 

Service Team BBQ

On June 6th, Denver United hosted a Service Team Party at Pastors Rob and Mauri Brendle's house just north of Colorado Springs.  This BBQ was for everyone who serves the church in any way, including the worship team, coffee crew, United Kids, and everything in between. With sunny weather, delicious food, a rousing game of lawn bowling and a jumpy castle for the kids, it proved to be a perfect day for fun and fellowship.  Near the end of the event, Pastor Rob gathered everyone together to thank them for their hard work and dedicated service, which have helped make the early months of Denver United so successful.  Share in some of the wonderful memories of the day by clicking here.

Interested in jumping in and serving at Denver United?  Find out more by visiting the Service Team page on the Denver United website.

Special thanks to Dan Griffis for providing additional photos of the BBQ.

Love Expert of the Week: Cynthia Alderman

This week's Love Expert is the prayer warrior who heads up Denver United's Intercession Team.  Learn more about this team on the Denver United website.

Cynthia Alderman

Originally from Newport Beach, CA, Cynthia now makes her home in Colorado Springs with her husband Bryan.  She is mother to four children, and she recently became a grandmother with the birth of her first granddaughter earlier this year.

Position at Denver United: Leader, Intercession Team

Ministry passion: To serve people in God's love with a Kingdom heart and perspective. 

Life Goal: To live and die bringing glory only to the Father in all things.

Favorite Activities:  Reading and studying the Word, researching history and how it affects the world today

Interests: Middle East

Favorite Movies - City Slickers, Spanglish, Steele Magnolias, Lord of the Rings, Tombstone

Favorite Artists: Casting Crowns, Jared Anderson 

Favorite Books: The Bible (Daniel is her favorite book); Redeeming Love

Denver United's Church Historian: Christine Beebe

Several of you who have been enjoying the weekly Love Expert series have asked that I post a profile of myself on the Chronicles website.  Here you go.  Enjoy! :o)

Christine Beebe

Originally from Selma, Alabama, I've lived in 6 states and one foreign country, but I've called Colorado Springs my hometown since 1986.

Position at Denver United: Church Historian

Ministry passion: Serving.  I love being a part of the behind-the-scenes operations of the church. 

Educational Background: Having majored in Religious Studies with an emphasis in Old Testament history and archaeology at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, I left during my senior year to follow God's call to return to Colorado in 1995.  After a hiatus in my education, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies through Thomas Edison State College's adult learning program in 2005.  I also studied for a semester as an Equine Sciences major at Colorado State University in Fort Collins and as a Biblical Studies major at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood.

Career:  For more than 13 years, I've been the Scheduling Producer for an international Christian radio broadcast based in Colorado Springs.  Previous to that, I served in the US Air Force with the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

Interests: I love to travel and explore new places!  Other interests include animals, zoos, history and archaeology (especially Titanic history), reading, scrapbooking, photography, blogging, Facebook, and cross-stitch.  I'm also a news junkie as evidenced by my Twitter account which follows everyone from The Weather Channel to CNN to the BBC to Al Jazeera. 

Favorite Places I've Visited: Vatican City, Rome, New Orleans, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, San Diego, Germany, Costa Rica and Grand Cayman.

Favorite Movies: Titanic, Under the Tuscan Sun, A Beautiful Mind, Hurricane on the Bayou, and Ghosts of the Abyss (IMAX film on Titanic)

Favorite TV shows: Samantha Brown's Passport to... programs, Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Foods, Rick Steves' Europe, Mysteries at the Museum, CSI, and Law & Order: SVU

Favorite Music: Keith and Kristyn Getty, Michael Card, Kim Hill, Selah, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Tammy Trent, jazz, swing, Cajun, Tab Benoit, Harry Connick, Jr.

Favorite Books: Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Little known fact: I was once invited to compete on the Colorado State University rodeo team as a bull rider, but I respectfully declined. :o)

Love Expert of the Week: Andrew Schmidt

In this week's installment of the Love Experts series, we shine our spotlight on the man who brings us a bevy of information with an ample serving of humor every Sunday -- Andrew Schmidt.  If you haven't seen his latest video announcement, check it out on Denver United's homepage.  While you're there, also be sure to check out the details on the Next Steps Luncheon, Family Night at the Rockies, and Ladies Night Out, just a few of the many happenings going on around Denver United in the upcoming weeks.

Take a few moments to learn some more about Andrew.  

Andrew Schmidt

Originally from Peninsula, Ohio, Andrew now makes his home in Denver, Colorado.

Position at Denver United: Video Announcements

Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts in Theatre (Performance Emphasis) from Bellhaven College

Career: Actor, professional theatre and commercial work

Activities: Surfing, biking, climbing, snowboarding, anything outside

Interests: Acting, all art forms, friends

Favorite Music: Depeche Mode, Cure, Ani Difranco, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pheonix, G-Love, Van Morrison, Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young, Cold War Kids, Estelle, 2 Skinnee J's, Beastie Boys, NIN, My Morning Jacket, Wilco, Regina Spektor

Favorite TV Shows: Flight of the Conchords, Arrested Development, Family Guy, Top Chef

Favorite Movies: Big Wednesday

Favorite Books: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan

Love Expert of the Week: Pastor Andrew Mondy

If you haven't seen the Denver United website lately, check it out.  In a lot of ways, it's reminiscent of the iPhone commercials.  How so?  Well, let's say you missed Pastor Rob's sermon last weekend and want to listen to it online, there's a spot for that.  Or you want to relive the best moments of video announcement history, there's a spot for that.  And if you want to find a small group to plug into, there's even a spot for that.  You can also learn about the church's beliefs, join a service team or find out about this summer's missions trip to China.  It's all right there on the Denver United website.

So, in this week's installment of the popular Love Experts series, we highlight the man who put in countless hours to build Denver United's new website design -- Pastor Andrew Mondy.

Take a few moments to learn some more about Andrew.



Andrew Mondy

Andrew is married to Darci, and they have two children, Preston and Carson (and another on the way.)

Position at Denver United: Administrative Pastor -- responsible for all things logistical, administrative and technical.

Ministry passion: Removing unnecessary distractions from the church experience that keep people from connecting with the Father.

Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Career Background: Director of Marketing and Communication for New Life Church in Colorado Springs.

Favorite Activities: Real estate investing, fantasy sports, parenting

Interests: Apple computer, travel, pick-up basketball

Favorite TV Shows:  Sports, The Office, sports, anything in glorious HD on my Mitsubishi 1080P DLP, and sports

Favorite Music: Coldplay, U2, Jack Johnson, Grits, Thievery Corporation, Norah Jones, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Miles Davis, New Life Worship

Favorite Movies: Star Wars, The Matrix, A Few Good Men, The Sting, The Sandlot, Tommy Boy, The Princess Bride

Favorite Books: Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki; The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S, Lewis; The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman

Watch Andrew's staff video on the Denver United website.

Love Expert of the Week: Pastor Justin Spicer

Recently I launched Love Experts, the new weekly feature where we'll introduce some of the many servants who make Denver United tick.  Our hope is that it will help you learn more about the other servants you pass in the sea of red shirts each Sunday, and perhaps provide a launching point for conversation as we all meet one another.

As this is the first installment of the feature, it seemed only right to kick off with the man who played such a key role in the design and formation of our service teams, the one who oversees it all, the grand poobah of the Love Experts if you will, our Executive Pastor Justin Spicer.

Take a few moments to learn some more about Justin.



 Justin Spicer

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Justin makes his home in Englewood with his beautiful wife Gaby and their four children. 

Position at Denver United: Executive Pastor -- responsible for the pastoral, discipleship and outreach ministries of the church.

Ministry passion: Equipping people to live others-focused lives in the fullness of relationship with Jesus Christ.

Life Goals: To be a good husband and father and to walk humbly with Christ for the rest of his life. All other stuff is optional.

Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Duke University.

Career Background: Army officer, engineering consultant, para-church ministry leader, small business owner and most recently, a pastor.  He was licensed for pastoral ministry by New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Favorite Sports Team: Duke University Basketball

Favorite Activities: Hanging out with his wife and kids, being a good friend, backpacking, hiking, fishing, reading and playing accoustic guitar.

Interests: His wife, kids, Denver United Church, reaching out to the poor, outdoor stuff, and knowing Jesus intimately.

Favorite TV shows: Lost and Prison Break

Favorite Music: John Mayer, Beethoven, Josh Groban, Delirious, Jared Anderson, Editus, Hayden, Glenn Packiam, Jon Egan, Chris Tomlin, Dire Straights, The Samples, Southern Rock

Favorite Books: The Bible, Chronicles of Narnia, As I Lay Dying, A Tale of Two Cities, Hamlet, Dream Giver, Operation World, My Utmost for His Highest, Red Moon Rising

Watch Justin's staff video on the Denver United website.

Love Experts

  During our final Friday night meeting at Celebration Community Church, Pastor Rob Brendle introduced everyone to the new Denver United t-shirt.  These red t-shirts were emblazened with the term "Love Expert" on the front and the Denver United logo on the back.  Pastor Rob explained how Jesus said that the world would know that we are His disciples by how we love one another.  This concept became the basis for the launch team, which would go on to ungird the service teams.  As visitors come into the church, they are sure to see a sea of red shirts and smiling faces eager to make them feel at home, help them get their kids to the right classrooms and point them in the direction of that ever important cup of hot coffee.

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'm introducing a new feature on the Denver United Chronicles.  Each week, we will be introducing one of the many Love Experts that help make Denver United tick.  So, come back each week to meet a new member of the Denver United family.

Service Teams

On January 24th, in preparation for the first Sunday service, all those interested in volunteering were invited to attend a special meeting.  It was the first chance for most to take a look at Sturm Hall and to find out all the duties that needed to be performed in order to make services go smoothly each week.  Pastor Rob, stricken with a case of tonsilitis, briefly shared his vision for the service teams, explaining the importance of making visitors feel at home at the church.  Pastor Justin explained the different service teams and introduced the captains of those teams.  Then the different teams split up to meet.  Everyone practiced a full load in, set up, tear down and load out for the first time.  Signage was put together.  Logistics were figured out.  The worship team had a rehearsal and sound check.  It was a full afternoon and evening of activity, all for the purpose of making sure Sunday's landmark service would go off without a hitch.  And as groups began to form, it was evident that a united family had come together to help bring this dream to fruition. 

Here are volume 1 and volume 2 of the photos from that historic day.