Urban Light was founded in the summer of 2005 by a group of residents, both indigenous and relocators, of the urban south side of post-industrial Muncie. After several years of living together in the community, meeting together, studying together, and eating together, Urban Light was birthed as a worshipping community. From small beginnings, Urban Light has grown into a thriving multicultural church representative of our community at every level of leadership.
Our vision is one of reconciliation: that people might be reconciled to God and to each other. We intentionally pursue relationships of diversity across ethnic and socioeconomic lines. Space and place is important to us; our ministries are located along S. Madison St., the historic dividing line of segregation in Muncie. We live life on what W.E.B. DuBois called “the color line.”
Several years after our founding, we started the Urban Light Christian Development Corporation. This non-profit exists to join Jesus Christ in his reconciliation of all things. We plant a community garden, renovate homes for affordable rentals and new homeownership, support each other through addictions, partner with employment initiatives like In and Out Cleaning, and support our community through empowering educational opportunities. After running an academic coaching program for years, the CDC was instrumental in the launching of Inspire Academy, an urban public charter school that employs the Expeditionary Learning approach. Many community leaders and organizations have partnered with us on shared initiatives.
Today, Urban Light has a participatory worship celebration, Biblical expository preaching, shared community meals the first Sunday of every month, youth group, addiction recovery, mentoring, small groups, and more. Each year we join our neighbors together in a huge outdoor block party. With the prophet Jeremiah, we strive to build houses, plant vineyards, and seek the peace of our city. We are so thankful for the path upon which the Lord has led us and we invite you to join us on the journey.