From Europe’s post-Christian landscape to Africa’s need for gospel transformation, leaders across the globe are embracing unique challenges. The movement has shifted from “the West to the rest” to “everywhere to everywhere,” with leaders from Latin America and Asia now supporting efforts in the U.S. and Africa. As a younger, more diverse generation takes the lead, the future holds a renewed commitment to unity and gospel-driven impact in cities worldwide.
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Chapter 7: We've Only Just Begun
The years 2020-2023 tested City to City like never before. The pandemic upended church planting efforts, forcing churches to close and limiting in-person training. At the same time, the murder of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests, exposing deep divides within society and the church. Adding to the turmoil, Tim Keller was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and two founders—Jay Kyle and Keller—passed away within a year. Amid these challenges, City to City embraced a collaborative process of discernment, re-configuring itself into a smaller, more focused organization.
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Chapter 6: All These Cities are Connected
Through training programs like the International Intensive, the influence of Tim Keller’s books, and the creation of networks like City to City Asia Pacific, the movement spread around the world as leaders adapted its model to their own contexts. By 2018, this decentralized, global network empowered regional affiliates on six continents to lead, ensuring City to City’s vision thrives far beyond its New York beginnings.
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Chapter 5: The Most Fruitful Decade Yet to Come
In 2012, Dominican American pastor Robert Guerrero joined as the New York City Church Planting Catalyst, pushing for structural changes such as diversifying leadership and redesigning training to support Black and Brown planters. This work was an instrumental part of The New York Project, launched in 2014, which aimed to plant new churches, train diverse leaders, and establish a permanent home for Redeemer East Side and a leadership development center.
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Chapter 4: A Church Not for Itself but for Others
When tragedy struck New York City on September 11, 2001, Redeemer Presbyterian Church saw its attendance surge as New Yorkers sought solace and answers. The church stepped into the pain of a grieving city with compassion, support, and hope, while the Redeemer Church Planting Center began training leaders in global cities, laying the groundwork for what would become Redeemer City to City.
The story of a global movement told by the pastors, founders, and innovators who lived it. "A Fire Is Lit" is a limited series podcast that traces the story of City to City from the founding of Redeemer Presbyterian Church to the present. Join our Substack to receive alerts about new episodes and access to exclusive bonus content: https://afireislit.substack.com/
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