“Why Joshua?” That’s the question that often pops into people’s minds when they first hear about Joshua Presbyterian Church. Welcome to Joshua Presbyterian Church. It is a Bible-based, non-denominational Christian church right here in Austin, Texas.
Joshua Church is a multi-ethnic and multi-generational church. Students, professionals, singles, married couples, and families make up the community. The Sunday service here is casual and friendly. It features meaningful worship music and applicable teaching from the Bible. A fun kids’ program also takes place.
Joshua Church’s story began as the fourth church plant sent out from Blue Sky Church in Seattle, WA. The very first Sunday service took place on August 6, 2017. Planting a church in Austin was part of Blue Sky Church’s hope and plan. They wanted to plant many local healthy churches in university and metropolitan cities.
In January 2017, the lead pastor, Steve Morgan, prayed. He asked Jesus what the new church should be called. During this time, the word Joshua repeatedly stood out. Joshua literally means “The Lord Saves”. The word Joshua is another name for Jesus. Because of His love, Jesus died to save people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 says, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Joshua Church wants all people to understand their need for Jesus. They need Jesus to save them from sin. They also need to live out this salvation in a church full of like-minded people.
The church meets in the Crestview neighborhood. It’s just north of the campus and south of the domain. Joshua Church welcomes students, young professionals, and families. They invite everyone to join them for a Sunday service.
However, some online reviews paint a different picture. Some former members have described negative experiences. These reviews mention issues such as unhealthy group mentality and a lack of leadership accountability. Some reviewers claim they were pushed out if they didn’t fully conform. These reviews are available on websites like LeavingTheNetwork.org.
Interestingly, Joshua Church staff responded to some reviews. They claimed that the negative reviewers were not real people. This led to further disputes and accusations of manipulating feedback. Despite these controversies, Joshua Church continues to operate. It strives to be a welcoming place for those seeking faith and community.
So, as you stand before Joshua Presbyterian Church, consider its mission. Weigh the diverse perspectives surrounding it. It is a place where people seek connection, meaning, and a relationship with Jesus. It is a place named after salvation itself.