Church planting is not for the faint of heart. That’s why I love The Gathering, this staff, and the people that make up this church. They are running to where the need is the greatest. The Gathering is a resilient community that loves Jesus and the real work of ministry. I’m excited to find their next Worship Pastor.
In 2015, after a Coast Guard Career and 3 years as the Student Director and Church Planting Apprentice at Echo.Church in Silicon Valley, CA, John Mark and Rahel Redwine moved to Asheville with 2 other families to start The Gathering Church. The church launched with a high emphasis on attractional services and deeper community and saw success right from the start.
Post-pandemic has been a great time of rebuilding systems and structures to reach new people. The leadership sensed a shift in culture towards a desire in people for more earnest discipleship and deeper community, and has worked hard to find good ways to meet that need. Better assimilation systems combined with an emphasis on discipleship have ushered The Gathering Church into the healthy season they are in today.
Quote from: Brandon Hair – Executive Pastor
“For places to live, it’s hard to beat Asheville. It’s got a laid-back, small-town feel, but there’s always something interesting going on—live music, great food, local art, or unique shopping, just to name a few. But above all of that, the mountains and outdoor scene top the list. I can go from grabbing coffee downtown to hitting a hiking trail in the same afternoon. Even still, it’s the people that make Asheville stand out. There’s this real sense of community here—people who genuinely care for each other. It’s the kind of place that quickly feels like home!”
