Faith and Collaboration
Wayzata Community Church Congregational Spotlight. Written by Dylan Novacek, Content Specialist.
“The core of our congregation has always been one of inclusivity,” reflected Rev. Dr. John F. Ross, Senior Minister at Wayzata Community Church. “We’re a congregation that believes in the local community. Being part of the Beacon collaborative means we can do more than we ever could on our own!”
Services at Wayzata Community Church end with the question from the prophet Micah, “What does the LORD require of us?” They answer, “To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.” Through their collaboration with Beacon and their support for Cranberry Ridge, the congregation lives out their deepest values.
“For more than a decade, we’ve looked to Beacon as our guide in this housing work,” Rev. Ross exclaimed. “In 2013 we went through an extensive mission and vision process. We came out with the realization that if we had an idea we could accomplish on our own, then it just wasn’t big enough.”
Committed to collaboration, Rev. Ross (pictured left) looks back on his congregation’s Beacon journey and the road it took to see that Cranberry Ridge became a reality.
“Anything that we try to get done in this world should require collaboration and partners beyond our congregation. Beacon gives an expression to that conviction. I remember when we held a convening. At least a dozen other congregations joined us on a Saturday morning. There was this energy in the room; a shared sense of the power we have when we work as a collaborative,” he reflected and smiled.
“Several years later, we gathered again at the Plymouth City Council meeting to demonstrate our will and interest for Cranberry Ridge. There were a lot of familiar faces from the convening, as well as some new individuals who joined along the way. That night, Cranberry Ridge was approved!”
With shovels hitting the ground, construction at Cranberry Ridge has begun. Every day we get closer to 45 deeply affordable homes for families becoming a reality. Wayzata Community Church has shown a steady commitment to the creation of these homes through instrumental early investment and sustained advocacy.
Read our press release on the groundbreaking for Cranberry Ridge.
As these new homes get closer to becoming a reality, Rev. Ross and his congregation eagerly look forward to supporting residents as they move in by working with our service provider at Interfaith Outreach.
“The prospect of working with families who would occupy the building was key for our congregation,” he continued. “It’s about the names and faces from all walks of life. The opportunity to come alongside them and be in relationship with these families.
“This is the impact of faith and collaboration over the long haul. Something that has stood out most in our Beacon journey is how long and sustained it has been. We’ve been growing together. Beacon educates us in our understanding of how these homes disrupt unjust systems.”
Rev. Ross and the congregation embrace the shared values of our work together, growing our power and centering home as the foundation for life.
“Home is the context within which we can love and be loved,” he passionately states. “People who live in homelessness live in a state of fear. I’d imagine that to be the most debilitating feeling in the world…Home is the best shot we have at loving each other and being loved by others in return.”
Looking ahead, Wayzata Community Church eagerly awaits the opening of Cranberry Ridge, mindful of the long journey it’s taken to get here. Relentless collaboration, bold early investments, and sustained advocacy are what it takes to create homes for families like those at Cranberry Ridge. These efforts continue as we look to newer family housing initiatives like Vista 44, Emerson Village and Prairie Pointe. This is the collaborative at work.
“I hope that Cranberry Ridge becomes a center of life. A center of community. A hub of activity. I hope and pray it is a place of transformation for people. A safe haven for families.”
Your congregation can help ensure that homes like Cranberry Ridge continue to serve as a safe haven for families. Click here to take-action for home through advocacy and financial contributions.
Is your congregation not yet involved? Contact Deb Rodgers at drodgers@beaconinterfaith.org to learn more about joining Beacon.
