Though only a few degrees removed from each other for several years in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, the Crafts and Knights became the best of friends in 2007 as they shared life together as members of North Wake Church in Wake Forest, NC.  Both families moved to the Wake Forest area for the purpose of attending seminary with hopes of being equipped to plant and lead a local church.  As our families walked alongside one another in the small group ministry at North Wake, Joey and Nathan entered the elder residency and church planting internship under the leadership of the elders at North Wake.  Through the direction of the Spirit and the counsel of church leaders and friends, we decided to join together for the purpose of planting Restoration Church.

In the summer of 2009 our families relocated from North Carolina to northwest Washington, DC.  Once landing in the city, we began the lifelong process of learning the culture of our city and getting to know the people within our city.  Though we did not know anyone when we first arrived, God allowed us to quickly begin meeting people from all walks of life – some would hear the gospel for the first time, others would become friends, and yet others were already prayerfully looking for a church.  From the earliest days, it was evident God was already at work and we had the privilege of joining what he was already doing.

On October 4, 2009, we started a Sunday evening book study in the Knights’ apartment. For six weeks we worked through Tim Keller’s Prodigal God. In addition to the Crafts and Knights, eight people attended the first meeting. With each passing week, that number steadily grew. During this time, we also began gathering weekly in community groups seeking to bridge what we learn (knowledge) to the way in which we live our lives (transformation).

Just six months after our first Bible study, on Sunday, March 28, 2010, 18 people covenanted together to form Restoration Church.

Having grown out of the Knights’ apartment we moved into the Wisconsin Place Community Center for six months. Since then we made a couple of moves between various meetings locations in Northwest DC before landing in our current location.

As God builds his church here in northwest DC, our membership continues to grow, as does the number of community groups.  By God’s grace, we are seeing lives changed and the name of Christ exalted as we strive to faithfully live out the gospel with one another, as well as among those with physical and spiritual needs, both locally and globally.

After several years of prayer, God answered our pleas to help us plant a Spanish-speaking church in Columbia Heights. Providentially, we were connected with Alejandro M – a pastor in Venezuela. In the summer of 2016, Alejandro and his family moved to DC.

By God’s grace, Iglesia Biblica Sublime Gracia covenanted together on March 04, 2018.

Restoration Church is a small part in a larger story. We praise God for all he has done and look forward to all he will do in and through us for the fame of Jesus Christ.