In the City, for the City: Own Your Geography (week 1)
What happens when your plans change, your comfort is disrupted, and God redirects your steps? You lean in and listen. That’s exactly where we are as a church—and what a beautiful place to be.
This week, we kicked off a new series called “In the City for the City.” It’s more than a title—it’s a declaration. In this season, God is calling us to see our homes, jobs, classrooms, and favorite coffee shops not just as part of our routine, but as part of our mission field.
Because the truth is—revival doesn’t start on a stage. It starts in your living room, your office, your lunch break, and your neighborhood sidewalk. You were placed in Austin on purpose, for a purpose. And the question we’re asking as a church is this: What would it look like to own the geography God has given us?
Let’s dive in.
If you were with us last week, you remember church in the dark—literally. A power outage tried to shut things down, but the hunger in the room lit up the place. What a picture of what we’re building together: a church that shines even when the lights go out.
And that heart—hungry, flexible, faithful—is exactly what we’re going to need for the new season God is inviting us into.
The Mission is Greater than the Building
We spend maybe four to five hours a week inside a church. But we’ve got 112 waking hours outside of it. That’s the mission field. That’s where the church becomes the church.
So we’re asking:
What would it look like to own our geography?
What would it look like to see our jobs, homes, campuses, and circles of influence as holy ground?
What if our prayer for Austin matched Jesus’ own: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in Austin, as it is in Heaven.”
We’re Not Called to Blend In - We’re Called to Stand Out
In Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus says something powerful about who we are:
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
From the very beginning of this church, this passage has been core to our calling. Not just to be changed by Jesus—but to shine with His light wherever we go. And just like salt brings out the flavor in food, your presence—your faith—can bring out the God-colors in the people and places around you.
It doesn’t take a stage to make an impact. It doesn’t take a platform to matter in the Kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven alive in you can and will transform what’s around you.
What’s In You is Meant for Around You
One of the enemy’s greatest lies is that your gifts, passions, and voice don’t matter. But Jesus flips that narrative in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30). Whether you've been given a lot or a little by the world’s standards, what matters is what you do with what you've been entrusted.
It’s not about how much you have. It’s about who gave it to you—and whether you’re using it to join His mission.
God isn’t measuring your life by the size of your platform but by your faithfulness to steward what He’s placed in your hands.
So whether you’re a CEO or a student, a full-time parent or part-time barista—you matter. Your geography matters. Your obedience matters.
Let’s Be Light-Bearers, Together
The Message version of Matthew 5 puts it this way:
“You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world... Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God.”
That’s it. That’s the goal. That’s the mission.
To live open-hearted and mission-minded.
To bring out the God-colors in our city.
To be a people who don’t just attend church—but become it.
What’s Next?
Over the next few weeks, we’ll keep unpacking what it looks like to “Own Our Geography.” We'll look at:
Why Us? (What is God doing through us as Antioch?)
Why Here? (Why does it matter where you are?)
Why Now? (Why is this moment so significant?)
And as we continue, we’re believing this:
That Austin won’t be transformed by a building alone, but by a people who have been transformed—and sent.
So let’s go. Let’s own our geography. Let’s live like we’re in the city for the city.