Our purpose is to create a safe and healing community, focused on being known by Jesus and knowing Jesus.
Chapel is a place to be encouraged by Jesus and to encourage others toward Jesus. We are learning what it means to embrace God in worship and in every area of life, and to encounter God’s Spirit through the scriptures, spiritual disciplines, and life in community.
Evening chapels are supported by Chapel Partners who walk with guests in humility, teaching in a conversational way that helps guests understand the scriptures and respond to Jesus.
We are looking to create ongoing chapel partnerships with local churches, individuals, and ministries for our evening chapels.
Chapel gatherings are a vital part of life at Water Street Mission.
Each week, we host five chapel gatherings that provide opportunities for individuals to encounter Jesus and the transformative power of the scriptures. Much like a church worship gathering, our chapel invites our guests to engage with the scriptures, participate in prayer, experience worship, and hear personal testimony.
Our chapels are rooted in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”
Through these gatherings, we seek to cultivate a community where people are encouraged to grow in their relationship with God.
Chapel Vision: “We gather to worship, know Jesus, be formed by the scriptures, and invest in transforming community.”
Chapel Values: (1) We are a place to be encouraged by Jesus and to encourage others toward Jesus; (2) We are learning what it means to embrace God in worship and every area of our lives; (3) We are learning to encounter God’s Spirit in the scriptures, through spiritual disciplines, and community.
Chapel Partnerships are pastors, ministries, and individuals who help to facilitate our evening chapels on a monthly or quarterly basis.
These gatherings are conversational teaching opportunities that also reflect a church worship gathering or small-group setting. They include worship, testimony, scripture teaching, and discussion of the scripture.
Evening chapels are held each Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monthly or quarterly chapel commitments help foster meaningful relationships with guests.
For many guests who have never attended church, these partnerships help them experience “church” as a supportive community.
There are five steps to becoming a Chapel Partner at Water Street Mission:
1. Individuals or groups are encouraged to pray about the opportunity to serve in this way.
2. Assemble a team that can support you in this opportunity and review this document, along with Water Street Mission's vision and values.
3. Suitable candidates will then be invited to interview with a member of the Pastoral Ministries Team.
4. If your group is a good fit, candidates will complete the Water Street Mission volunteer application process.
5. Potential Chapel Partners will host an initial chapel gathering to assess fit and experience.
Following the successful completion of these steps, Chapel Partners will be scheduled for regular chapels.
You can start the process by introducing yourself and your interest, and emailing the Director of Pastoral Ministries at jmclain@wsm.org.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about chapel partnerships and what this might look like for you or your group, we would be glad to connect. Please contact the Pastoral Ministries Team at chapel@wsm.org for more information.
