March 2026 | Denver Metro Project partnership

Planting Hope in a Church Desert: A New Work in Denver

Jesse introduces Taylor, Daylie and the team during Flatirons services.

At Flatirons, we believe that freedom isn’t something we keep to ourselves—it’s something we pass on. That conviction is at the center of our Be Free initiative, a two-year journey of faith and generosity aimed at bringing hope and freedom to communities across the Front Range.

But as we’ve stepped into that vision, one reality has become impossible to ignore: we could plant campuses for years and still not keep up with the need. In Denver alone, four to five churches close their doors every year, and that number continues to rise. Entire neighborhoods are left without a strong, local church presence. Some areas are quickly becoming what could be described as “church deserts”—places where people have little to no access to the hope of Jesus.

And yet, it’s often in those very places that God begins something new.

That’s exactly what’s happening in Central Park, a growing neighborhood in Denver that currently has very few churches and limited opportunities for people to connect with a faith community. It’s also where God has called a team led by Taylor and Daylie to step out in faith and plant a brand-new church.

A Calling that Required Everything

Their story didn’t begin in Colorado. For more than a decade, Southern California had been home. Life was established, familiar, and comfortable. But over time, they sensed God calling them somewhere new—not with a detailed plan, but with a clear invitation to trust Him. Like Abraham, they felt led to go to a place God would show them, even if they didn’t yet know exactly what it would look like.

That calling brought them to Denver.

They arrived without many of the things you would normally expect when starting a church. No building. No official name. No large team already in place. What they do have is a deep conviction that God has already been at work in this community and that He is inviting them to join Him in reaching people who are far from Him.

A Partnership for Greater Impact

Through the Be Free initiative, Flatirons has the opportunity to come alongside them in a meaningful way. Over the next year, Taylor, Daylie, and their team will be part of a residency with Flatirons—learning, serving, and growing alongside us. It’s a partnership built on mutual investment. We’ll share what we’ve learned, and we’ll also be shaped by their faith, their courage, and their vision. And when that year is complete, we’ll send them out—equipped with experience, resources, and a community behind them—to launch a new church in Central Park.

This kind of partnership reflects something deeper about who we are as a church. It would be easy to play it safe, to focus inward, and to simply maintain what’s already been built. But that’s not the calling we see in Scripture, and it’s not the kind of church we want to be. We want to be people who take risks for the sake of the gospel, who step into spaces where hope is needed, and who are willing to go wherever God leads.

That’s why this moment matters.

Because this isn’t just about planting another church. It’s about bringing light into a place that needs it. It’s about creating a community where people can encounter Jesus, maybe for the first time. And it’s about being part of a story that is bigger than any one campus or any one church.

How you can be a part of the mission

Of course, no one steps into something like this alone. From the very beginning, Taylor and his team have made it clear that this mission will require a community. They’ve asked for prayer above all else, with a vision of gathering 5,280 people—one for every foot of elevation in the Mile High City—who will commit to praying for this new work. They’re also seeking relationships, connections, and opportunities to meet people throughout Denver, believing that every introduction could open a new door. Join their email list for more information and updates.

And for some, the invitation may go even deeper.

There may be people who feel a nudge—a sense that this isn’t just something to support from a distance, but something to step into personally. Maybe it’s helping host events, building relationships, or even becoming part of the launch team. Sometimes God uses moments like this to stir something in us, to invite us into a role we hadn’t previously considered.

If that’s you, it’s worth paying attention.

Because what’s happening in Denver right now is a glimpse of what Be Free is really about. It’s not just a campaign or an initiative. It’s a movement of people who have experienced freedom in Jesus and are committed to helping others experience that same freedom.

And as this new church begins to take shape in Central Park, it serves as a reminder that even in places where churches are closing and hope feels scarce, God is still at work—calling people, opening doors, and building something new.

This is how the kingdom moves forward. Not by playing it safe, but by stepping out in faith.