Journeying together all the way through to become like Jesus. That’s the motto of Open Door Fellowship of Commerce City. This vibrant church has a rich history rooted in serving the Denver community.
Open Door Fellowship’s story began with a desire to reach low-income populations. It started in 1984 in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The church aimed to meet basic needs. These included housing, food, clothing, education, and job opportunities.
Soon, members started programs to help people. In the early 1990s, a ministry for at-risk youth emerged. It focused on tutoring and mentoring. Around the same time, TRYAD began to minister to the disabled.
In 1996, the Treasure House and Teen House opened. The Treasure House was a home for single moms. Teen House provided shelter for girls living on the streets. In 1997, Open Door Fellowship started serving a weekly meal to the neighborhood.
These grassroots efforts grew rapidly. The church realized it needed a structure to manage them effectively. So, Open Door Ministries was created in May 1997. A board was formed in December 1997. The organization received its 501c3 status in 1999.
Open Door Fellowship helped plant Westside Church Internacional in January 2018. Open Door Ministries is now expanding its programming to Denver’s Westside. This expansion allows them to serve even more people in need.
Open Door Ministries focuses on providing practical help and hope. They aim to move people toward self-sufficiency. They help change circumstances and life patterns. These patterns often hold people captive to poverty and addictions.
The ministry addresses both tangible and intangible needs. Tangible needs include food, shelter, education, and employment training. Intangible needs encompass friendship, hope, and Christian spiritual guidance.
Open Door Ministries helps individuals thrive in several key areas. These areas include stable housing and sustainable employment. They also focus on completed education and vibrant spirituality. Renewed relationships, healthy behavior, and community giveback are also important.
Christ is at the center of everything they do. They implement intentional discipleship relationships. These relationships involve sacrifice. Open Door Fellowship desires community members to lead the organization. They believe every person has value. They can contribute to God’s work.
Open Door Fellowship offers a Re:generation program. It meets Fridays at 6:45 pm in the sanctuary. This is a 12-step discipleship recovery program. It helps people find freedom from various struggles. These struggles include substance abuse and codependency. Others are pornography, eating disorders, and depression. Freedom from fear, control, abuse, same-sex attraction, anger, and obsessive thoughts is also possible. Childcare is available during the program.
Open Door Fellowship of Commerce City is more than a church. It is a beacon of hope. It is a place where lives are transformed. It’s a place where people journey together toward becoming more like Jesus.