"So... What's A LifeHouse?!?!"

"So...  What's a LifeHouse?"  I've been getting that question a lot lately, and, quite honestly, I love it! 

For us, here at The Church at Park City, the "LifeHouse" started with the realization of a "need" that was revealed to us through our first organized prayer-walk back in July of 2011.  From that point it became a recurring prayer in which we began to ask God; "Lord, what can we do to make a difference here in Park City, in the lives of young, single moms, who find themselves with limited resources and options?"  And, from that prayer request forward, that "revealed need" became a recurring theme that God began to lay on the hearts of people who were drawn by God into the life and ministry of the Church at Park City.  It was a theme that would resurface again and again in prayer and in conversation, at small group gatherings, church functions, and in interpersonal interactions as different people, from different backgrounds, shared either similar personal first hand experiences, and/or a common burden for single moms facing difficult circumstances and uncertain times.

Then, in January of 2013, during our "Sanctity of Life" message series, I asked a "What if?" question and issued a challenge to our church...  "What if God wants C@PC to not just be a 'Pro-Life' church, but to also take a very real step of faith and open a 'LifeHouse' here in Park City for young moms facing an unplanned pregnancy?"  In response, a handful of people gathered that Sunday AM after the message and prayed.  In that prayer, we asked God to abundantly provide for whatever it was that He would call us to do.  And, in many truly remarkable ways, God began to answer, not only that prayer, but every prayer that we prayed, every time we asked Him to show us His will regarding the C@PC "LifeHouse."  God's answers came as He provided more people who expressed interest in making the LifeHouse happen, and more people to pray for it.  He then provided answers through a group of people who began to investigate options and possibilities for a "LifeHouse."  And, then... He actually provided a person who literally felt called to sacrifice their (then current) place of residence in order to make room for a young mom in need of a LifeHouse.  And, finally, God also provided a couple who offered that same (and now open) residence (an additional home they owned here in Park City) as the future home of "LifeHouse" itself.  Stunning!  Truly!

Today, all of those answered prayers have become a revealed "Calling" that has been placed on our hearts (as a church) by God.  It is a calling for C@PC to provide an 18-month program, that takes place in a stable, structured, safe environment, specifically designed for first time, single moms, who find themselves in need of a place that can help them create a new beginning for themselves and for their baby.  Presently, we are in need of people to help with some basic interior and exterior preparations (painting, flooring, cleaning, etc.) and we are also in need of a Godly, live-in, resident "house-mother" as well.  Our daily prayer is that God (as He has so faithfully before) will continue to provide the answers we ask of Him, and that He will help us be able to have the house open and ready for our first Mother and child "house guests" by June 1st of 2013.

So... will you join The United Methodist Church at Park City as we continue to step forward, seeking to make this "Calling" and this new ministry opportunity a reality?  If you are interested, we'd like to invite you to come to our "LifeHouse Community Luncheon & Open House" (1419 Beaumont here in Park City) on Sunday, May 19th, from 12:00 Noon to 2pm.  This "Open House" event will not only give you a chance to come and see the LifeHouse in person, but it will also provide you with an opportunity to see the needs firsthand and to sign up to help out in whatever way you may be feeling led by God to do so.

I Hope To See You There!

Keep On Keepin' On...

Rob Schmutz, Pastor
The Church at Park City
Zechariah 4:10a

(For more info call 316-744-0029 or email us at
churchatparkcityops@gmail.com)