Evangelical Church Plant in Washington DC: Influencing the City that Influences the World
Luckily, Harrison Wilder who is an executive pastor at Capital City Church told me that when they sometimes get kicked out of the Atlas [Performing Arts Center], they meet at Capitol Hill Montessori School. Harrison was happy to introduce me to the principle of the school, which is a block north of [Ebenezer's Coffeehouse].
The school was a great open space and we were able to settle on a deal. At this point, we were approaching summer. We missed our Easter launch. Initially, the principle didn't want to give me a whole summer, so I said, "Look. Just please give me one Sunday a month and we will see how it goes." So we did a monthly service throughout the summer and then everything went well. So we officially launched September 7, 2013 and have had weekly Sunday gatherings since then.
And that is how we solved our space issues.
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Vicari: After talking with many pastors, I have a feeling I can guess your answer to my next question. But I'm going to ask anyway. What is the demographic of Triumph D.C.?
Scapin: We are a wonderful, diverse church. We have always pastored and led a diverse church and we don't want to build anything else. I believe if you are to plant a church, then you need to have joy when you attend the church you are leading. Our life reflects a diverse set of friends, and the same with our church.
Basically, you'll find people old who are diverse socio-economically, ethnically and generationally. This is one of our church's distinctions. When we were traveling and praying, once we knew we were going to move to D.C., we visited some great churches. D.C. does have great churches, but not nearly enough. Unfortunately, we didn't see the diversity like what we were called to do here. This was a major reason why God was calling us to D.C., to be a spirit-filled non-denominational orthodox Christian church that embraces all types.
On any given Sunday, you'll meet a guy who works on our production team who works at the White House. Or a retired Army Master Sergeant from the Pentagon who helps setup and then we have a lady who is just getting back on her feet from being homeless at the door greeting. Then if Tony [Perkins, President of the Family Research Council] is doing interviews at Fox News, he will Uber on over and attend service since it's so close. It's weird, but yet such a God type of worship that we love.
Vicari: I must admit, that is not the answer I expected. Fully, I expected you to say your church consisted of young Capitol Hill staffers and other young professionals. It's refreshing to hear that is not the case.
Scapin: Absolutely, but we are a small church. We are a new church, but already have a microcosm of what we really want to be. And that's the deal. It's a God thing, but also a very intentional thing. It doesn't happen by accident.
Vicari: Finally, can you tell us what the greatest need of those walking into your church doors? Besides community and Christ, what are people on Capitol Hill truly searching for in a church?
Scapin: In a city that is so busy and Americratic, they are looking for a reminder of what is really important. So to say, you are more than what you do for a living is important. To have a place where you know that you are loved for more than your job is a big point. We are studying Ephesians and last week my sermon was "You are Not What You Do," which fights the whole spirit of this city.
And that is our assignment. You could say, it is to be in the city and for the city but to find out what the spirit of the city is and to work in the opposite sphere. There is a spirit of strife and division and disunity and contention and all these things. So the church has to be peacemakers, unifiers and connectors and fight that lie that you are what you do and how your job title defines your worth.
