Plant Utah’s First Church Plant

Utah Valley Church

Utah Valley Church, Plant Utah’s first church plant, is officially underway! We had our first public gathering on September 15. The focus of our first gathering was to clarify what kind of church we intend to be.

Here is what Utah Valley Church is about:

1. We’re a church for those who have grown weary from the heavy demands of religion. We’re here to help you find grace and rest in Jesus.
2. We’re a church for those who don’t “fit in” in church. We’re here to help people, whose looks or lifestyle don’t fit the church mold, make a connection with Jesus.
3. We’re a church for the hurting, the addicted and the broken. We’re here to help the hurting  experience the mercy and healing offered by Jesus.
4. We’re a church for the lonely and disconnected. We’re here to be a home and a family in Jesus.
5. We’re a church for the committed. We’re here to help you grow in Christ and make disciples who make disciples of Jesus.

We meet in our basement on at 6:30 on Sunday evenings and have dessert after worship. Throughout the remainder of the fall we will be teaching through the Gospel of John. You can visit our new website at utahvalley.church.

Please pray for God to send some team members to help us with this new church/missional community. We will be drastically undermanned if we don’t get some more help on the ground.

Polygamy in Utah

Polygamy is still very much a part of Utah culture. The LDS church (mainstream Mormonism) officially renounced polygamy in the 1890s, but many polygamist families remained committed to the former practices of the church and broke away. Today, more than 11 different polygamist sects exist in Utah. Some of the groups are extremist and keep isolated from society while others tend to nearly blend in with the surrounding culture. A very conservative figure estimates between 60,000 and 120,000 people are involved in the polygamist lifestyle in Utah.

Plant Utah remains dedicated to reach this sub-culture with the grace of Jesus Christ. We have been housing a young man that was asked to leave his polygamist group/family. He has been with us since May and will soon be leaving to begin training with Army.  He hopes to be selected for special forces and wants to jump out of airplanes. He has definitely become a life-long part of our family and we’re are extremely proud of him.

The housing unit in our basement remains unfinished.  So far, we have received a total of $110.00 toward the materials for this project and need thousands more. There remains a housing waiting list for people leaving polygamist communities. We have been asked to house more people as soon as our current guest moves on, but can only accommodate a single individual until we finish the housing unit. Please pray for the Lord to provide resources and materials to finish this project.

We appreciate you prayers and support!

For the sake of the gospel,

Matthew & Chandra