Our Story
Reaching back to 1842, our story is rich in the grace, providence, and kindness of God. We invite you to pray for us and join with us as we delight in the supremacy of Jesus Christ among the nations for the glory of God.
Meeting
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.
Arriving
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.
Covenanting
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.
Growing
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.
Planting
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.
Merging
On October 6, 1842 twenty-one saints covenanted together to form the Third Baptist Church of Washington City (as it was called then). Through the years, this church changed locations and names, eventually settling in NW DC as Temple Baptist Church.
In God’s providence, the gospel partnership between Temple Baptist and Restoration Church led to a formal church merge in 2020. Now Restoration’s story is woven into the gospel story of this city that goes back nearly two centuries!
By God’s grace, we’ll continue making disciples that delight in the supremacy of Jesus Christ for the days and decades ahead.
Reaching back to 1842, our story is rich in the grace, providence, and kindness of God. We invite you to pray for us and join with us as we delight in the supremacy of Jesus Christ among the nations for the glory of God.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator sep_color=”color-801810″ el_width=”30%” el_height=”3px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column column_width_percent=”80″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ css_animation=”bottom-t-top” animation_speed=”800″ width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h3″ text_font=”font-377884″ text_size=”h3″ text_weight=”300″ text_color=”color-134593″]Meeting[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text]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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ css_animation=”right-t-left” animation_speed=”800″ width=”1/2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_single_image media=”3547″ media_width_percent=”100″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ css_animation=”bottom-t-top” animation_speed=”800″ width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h3″ text_font=”font-377884″ text_size=”h3″ text_weight=”300″ text_color=”color-134593″]Arriving[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text]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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ css_animation=”left-t-right” animation_speed=”800″ width=”1/2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_single_image media=”3548″ media_width_percent=”100″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ css_animation=”bottom-t-top” animation_speed=”800″ width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h3″ text_font=”font-377884″ text_size=”h3″ text_weight=”300″ text_color=”color-134593″]Covenanting[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text]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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ css_animation=”bottom-t-top” animation_speed=”800″ width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h3″ text_font=”font-377884″ text_size=”h3″ text_weight=”300″ text_color=”color-134593″]Growing[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text]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.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ css_animation=”bottom-t-top” animation_speed=”800″ width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h3″ text_font=”font-377884″ text_size=”h3″ text_weight=”300″ text_color=”color-134593″]Planting[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text]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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ css_animation=”right-t-left” animation_speed=”800″ width=”1/2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_single_image media=”19432″ media_width_percent=”100″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h3″ text_size=”h3″ text_weight=”300″ text_color=”color-134593″]Merging[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text]On October 6, 1842 twenty-one saints covenanted together to form the Third Baptist Church of Washington City (as it was called then). Through the years, this church changed locations and names, eventually settling in NW DC as Temple Baptist Church.
In God’s providence, the gospel partnership between Temple Baptist and Restoration Church led to a formal church merge in 2020. Now Restoration’s story is woven into the gospel story of this city that goes back nearly two centuries! By God’s grace, we’ll continue making disciples that delight in the supremacy of Jesus Christ for the days and decades ahead.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][/vc_column][/vc_row]