About Us
History, Mission, and Values
It was 2015 when Rev. Ricardo Tavárez began to pray about starting a church. In May of 2016, he shared these prayers with interested leaders, several of whom also felt a passion for starting a new kind of faith community. On June 7, 2016, this group of leaders met on south Division Avenue to begin the ministry that is now En Vivo Church.
Not long after it’s inception, En Vivo became a fully LGBTQ+ inclusive church with Queer leadership at every level. When Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, a historically Queer-led church in Grand Rapids, closed it’s doors, members of RMCC became a part of the newly formed church passing a legacy to the new generation.
Today, En Vivo Church is a church plant of the United Church of Christ and our home is in the Creston neighborhood. We celebrate diversity and are fully inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community. When you gather with us you can expect to share a table with an eclectic group of welcoming people in casual dress, ready to learn and grow together in their Christian faith.
Our Mission
Living a Christ-centered revolution.
Our Values
Authentic Relationships
We seek to form meaningful human connections. We create a safe space where we can ask questions, share honestly, and encourage one another to grow holistically as followers of Christ.
Connecting Community
We seek to connect our Christian faith with real-world action. Rooted in Queer inclusivity, we lead from the edges, welcoming those who have been marginalized in our society, being intentional about diversity, and transforming our locale into a place where everyone can thrive.
Radical Worship
We find freedom as we worship, freely inviting ourselves to connect with God in unique ways as we learn and grow in our Christian faith. Our worship extends beyond regular church gatherings to a lifestyle of being who God has created us to be while effecting change in our world.
Partners
Hudsonville UCC
Michigan Conference UCC
New City Neighbors
We Believe
We believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places