Local Mission
From its inception, the Ren community has placed a high priority on serving people outside the walls of the church. We are intentional about not becoming cloistered and disconnected from society. We believe we are called to be "in the world and yet not of it". We are to bring the light of the Gospel to our region and to the neighborhoods where we live. We are driven by the basic belief that there are thousands of people in our local area who are ready and waiting to know God. We believe our job is to find them, introduce them to Christ and then help them grow.
We recognize, first of all, that each person at Ren has their own mission field, where they live and work. The pastors and leaders work hard to equip the church to share the Gospel and spread God's love in tangible ways in each person's sphere of influence. We don't advocate "preaching at people" or evangelizing in ways that are relationally deficient. We believe that Christ shared the Good News naturally and effectively everywhere He went—and we are following His example.
We also believe that working together in mission is important. We have placed a high value on partnering rather than always creating a Christian version of things already happening in the city. Since moving to our current Riverside location in 2025, the church has partnered with Good Neighbors Community Kitchen and Food Pantry that delivers meals and groceries to vulnerable residents in East Providence, and we have also continued to support local Afghan refugees in a variety of ways.
As of 2026, we are also spear-heading two new projects; an Alpha Course on the Brown University Campus and a ministry to families with individuals with disabilities called Open Arms.
Open Arms
Open Arms Ministry was born out of the concern for individuals with a disability, their parents, and their siblings that are unable to find a welcoming church home that is currently able to meet their needs. Our hearts break for families that want to be part of a church family but are unable to find a place to fit in and be ministered to. God’s arms are open wide to all people, regardless of disability. Open Arms Ministry is a first step in creating a caring group of believers who support each other and strive to grow in their faith together.
The Open Arms service takes place once a month, on the fourth Sunday of the month. It provides ministry to individuals with disabilities through 1:1 buddies, to parents of children with disabilities through a dedicated worship and reflection time, as well as ministry to siblings through a dedicated activity and an opportunity to share challenges, feelings and victories with peers who can relate to them.
If you are interested in learning more about Open Arms please contact info@renchurchri.org. For families wishing to join, there is no expectation to join the church; we want to focus on meeting your needs. Registration and an initial interview is required so we can adequately meet the needs of your family. Please note that all 1:1 buddies are CORI checked and trained and supervision is provided during all activities.
Alpha @ Brown University Campus
Alpha is an opportunity to unpack the basics of the Christian faith together through open conversation and over some good food. This is an opportunity for all students, regardless of background and beliefs, to explore questions about faith and Christianity in a judgement-free, safe space, where they can meet new people and share thoughts. The course runs over eleven sessions on Saturday afternoons on the Brown University Campus- each week a different big question about the Christian faith is explored together.
For more information, please contact info@renchurchri.org.
Past Projects
Over the course of Ren’s history, we have been involved in many other local projects and initiatives. Here are a sampling of just a few of those.
In the early years of the church we created a small non-profit called westsideArts that aimed to serve artists in Providence. We had regular gallery and performance nights as a way to build relationships with people and share God's love.
We partnered with the RI Film Fest, Columbus Theatre, West Broadway Neighborhood Association, local businesses and other non-profits in the West End to do a variety of community events.
When we moved to the Southside of Providence in 2009 our focus shifted to serve the richly diverse neighborhoods around the church. We formed partnerships with Elmwood Community Center, International Institute, Providence Rescue Mission, Rise, Res Ave Elementary School, Alvarez High School, Southside Community Land Trust, Salvation Army, and several churches. We also created a wide variety of outreaches such as Dream Factory (for kids), community festivals, neighborhood clean up days and special concerts. Perhaps the most impactful efforts have been our Christmas and Easter "encounter" productions. We transformed our entire space into an interactive experience utilizing music, art, technology and design that hundreds have been blessed by.
In 2018, Ren Church dreamed big and launched CityLove, a commission of full-time "urban missionaries" to work together to serve the city in creative ways. One aspect of the internship was to live in the neighborhood and support its well-being, such as urban farming at Southside Community Land Trust, organizing a block party with Trinity Square Together, sipping coffee with the homeless community, or English tutoring at the Refugee Dream Center. The second aspect was to develop creative projects that unpacked the Christian faith, like the CityLove blog or the Light Project, a walkthrough art installation exploring Jesus as light. Prayer with God every morning would fuel their dedication to the city. This season deepened relationships with Southside neighbors, and we have seen God reveal Himself through us to these neighbors.
We are excited to see the doors and opportunities that God will open to us next!