The BLVD Story

Learn more about how we started this church planting journey, and what BLVD is all about.

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ABOUT BLVD

OUR VISION

A shoulder-to-shoulder (purposeful), around-the-table (connected) people, renewed by Jesus and practicing his Way, so that our shared life becomes a compelling witness and movement of His Kingdom in Richmond, VA.

OUR MISSION

Multiplying healthy Jesus followers who help one another know God, love God, and love others (Matt. 28:18–20)

We do this through regular rhythms of shared life. (Acts 2:42–47)

  • Learning our story in light of the entire Bible,

  • Practicing Jesus’ teachings in our contexts,

  • Sharing life in community,

  • Serving our neighbors for the glory of God and the good of Richmond

OUR VALUES

  • We continually ask: How does the Gospel apply here? The good news doesn’t just save us —

    it shapes us. In every season, Jesus’ death and resurrection hold us steady, lift us up, and

    move us forward. His grace is the power and pulse of our life together.

    • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Romans 1:16

  • We train in grace to walk by faith — preaching what we practice.

    Through prayer, Scripture, and service, we position ourselves for God to change our lives. Every practice is an invitation to lean on the Spirit, be reshaped by grace, and carry the hope of Christ into the world.

    • Scripture: John 15:4–5; Romans 12:2

  • We open our lives because Christ opened His to us.

    Hospitality is grace in action. Through kindness to strangers and love for enemies, we mirror the God who welcomed us when we were far off. Our homes, time, and presence become sacred spaces of belonging — where friends become family.

    • Scripture: Romans 12:13; Luke 14:12–14

  • We humbly seek to understand Scripture and live the Gospel. Disciples never stop learning.

    We learn together with curiosity and humility — letting the truth of Jesus transform us and overflow through our teaching and witness.

    • Scripture: Proverbs 2:2–6; Colossians 3:16

  • We are the church, and we carry the mission together.

    Church is a family to belong to and a mission to live out. We show up, lean in, and offer our gifts so that together we become the living body of Christ in the world.

    • Scripture: Nehemiah 4:6; Ephesians 4:11–13

  • We work from rest, not for rest.

    In Sabbath and stillness we remember we are held, not driven.

    We lay down our hurry, breathe in God’s delight, and let Him renew us to live faithfully in His strength.

    • Scripture: Exodus 20:8–11; Matthew 11:28–30

  • We reflect God by creating with Him.

    Through art, music, story, and imagination, we join the Creator in filling the world with signs of His glory and hope.

    • Scripture: Exodus 31:1–5; Philippians 4:8

A woman in a plaid shirt singing into a microphone while a man stands nearby with his eyes closed in a performance setting.
A man sitting on a bench with a young boy on his lap, with other people around them, in a waiting room or public space, depicted in black and white.
A church or community gathering with people seated and a panel of speakers at the front, with balloons and musical instruments nearby, in a modern industrial-style space with large windows and exposed ductwork.

What do we believe?

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Drew Daniels: Lead Pastor

Drew Daniels: Lead Pastor

A man with short, dark hair and a tattoo sleeve on his left arm, wearing a white T-shirt, sitting on a black couch, smiling and looking to the side in a well-lit room.

Paige Daniels : Executive Pastor

Paige Daniels : Executive Pastor

A woman with short dark hair wearing a blue headband, smiling, sitting on a black couch, in a black shirt with an arm tattoo.

Carly Shanahan : Connections & Care Lead

Carly Shanahan : Connections & Care Lead

A smiling woman wearing a beige cap, sunglasses hanging on her white shirt, and black overalls. She is standing in front of lush green foliage.
Black and white photo of a sidewalk outside a store with large windows and a sign that says 'MI DAS'. A flag with 'churchlambdon' is on the sidewalk. Several parked cars and leafless trees line the street.

THE GOSPEL 

The Gospel is the core of Christianity and the power that saves us and changes us over time.

The word “Gospel” means good news. In Jesus, God has done what we could never do for ourselves, opening the way for our deepest longings to be met in God, increasingly now and perfectly forever. (John 14:6)

The gospel is the way into life with God, and it’s the way we’re changed over time. (Rom. 1:16–17; Gal 3:3)

We all long for love, purpose, and a life that holds together. Those longings point beyond themselves: we were made for God, and we long to be home in Him. Jesus and the Holy Spirit make it possible. (Ps. 42:1–2) 

  • Creation: God made the world good, and made us for life with Him and one another. (Gen. 1:27–31)

  • Fall: We turned from God, and the world fractured in sin and sorrow. We use strategies to get our needs met by ourselves, apart from God. (Rom. 3:23)

  • Redemption: Jesus lived, died, and rose to forgive, adopt, and give new life by the Spirit. (1 Cor. 15:3–4; Rom. 8:15–16)

  • Restoration: We receive this gift of new life in Jesus by grace through faith. God continues restoring our hearts and lives as we trust in Jesus. (Eph. 2:8–10; 2 Cor. 5:17)

  • New Creation: Jesus will return and make all things new: new heavens and new earth. This living hope shapes our daily courage, patience, and joy. (Rev. 21:1–5; Titus 2:13)

How we specifically come to know and grow in the gospel:

  • through Scripture, God’s trustworthy witness to Jesus (2 Tim. 3:15–17)

  • through the Holy Spirit, who makes Jesus real to us, (Rom. 8:15–16)

  • and through God’s people, as the gospel is spoken and embodied in everyday life together. (Rom. 10:14–17)

Our Spiritual Formation Model

God forms whole-life disciples through four integrated pathways:

  • Learning

    • Scripture reshapes our identity and decisions. (Col. 3:16)

  • Practicing

    • Jesus’ way becomes our way of life through regular habits. (Matt. 7:24)

  • Sharing:

    • The Gospel is shared with others in daily life and community: we witness, confess, forgive, carry burdens, and speak hope. (Gal. 6:2)

  • Serving:

    • Mercy and justice become love made visible. (Mic. 6:8)

How do we measure spiritual growth at BLVD?

Over time, healthy Jesus followers increasingly:

  • live from grace, not performance, (Rom. 8:1)

  • tell the truth and grow in emotional health, (Ps. 62:8)

  • stay connected and practice repair in relationships, (Eph. 4:1–3)

  • keep growing in Christ under pressure, (2 Cor. 4:7–10)

  • turn outward with hospitality, generosity, mercy, and witness (Matt. 5:16)