A Ministry on the Escarpment
Relevant Word Christian Cultural Center sits on South Institute Street in Colorado Springs, at what its members describe as the precipice of an escarpment overlooking the city. From that vantage point, the church has built its identity around reaching the people who live at the margins of that view: the unchurched, the spiritually and emotionally wounded, and the needy. The congregation calls itself a large, extended family that still manages to offer an intimate worship experience, and it pursues excellence in spiritual growth alongside direct service to the wider community.
The church identifies itself as a Bible-believing, non-denominational community that embraces the centrality of the Old and New Testaments as the authoritative Word of God and the only sound basis for teaching, doctrine, and Christian conduct. Under the leadership of its Senior Pastor, the Reverend Promise Y. Lee, Relevant Word has set its sights on more than Sunday worship, growing into a multipurpose neighborhood DreamCenter, a Christian Cultural Center for gathering, and a network of small groups and paraministries.
The Senior Pastor and the Story of Pardoned
Pastor Promise Lee is the public face and the driving energy of Relevant Word. The church describes him as a compassionate and dedicated servant of God, a fervent believer in the power of prayer and fasting, and a frequent voice for people who have no one to speak for them: indigent families who have lost loved ones, the lonely, the sick, and the forgotten. His calling, the church teaches, is to the lost, the neglected, and the abandoned, and he often eschews the familiar patterns of more established ministries in favor of getting food and subsidy directly to the needy, counseling the troubled, and supporting families in crisis.
Lee leads the church with an emphasis on prayer, meditation, praise, and worship, and he underscores every decision and activity by invoking God's presence in it. The church credits a combination of resourcefulness, inventiveness, wit, drive, and an unshakeable faith for helping him overcome obstacles. His life story has been published in his memoir, Pardoned, which is now being adapted into an independent film with screenwriter Christopher James Priest. The church frames the project as part of its fight for criminal justice reform and a way to earn Pastor Lee the justice he deserves.
Outside the walls of the church, Lee serves as a spokesperson for the Bailey family and leads the Justice for De'Von Editorial Board, which works to redress and prevent injustice toward Black and Brown youth by police violence. He is also a featured voice on education justice in the Colorado Springs community, having published an op-ed in the Gazette titled "We Have a Dream: Justice in Education" in January 2021, and a recognized figure in the Concerned Clergy Coalition of Colorado Springs, a forum for local clergy.
Sunday Mornings and Spanish-Language Worship
The weekly rhythm at Relevant Word centers on Sunday. Sunday School meets at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays except for the first Sunday of the month and is facilitated by Dr. MelindaJoy Mingo. The English-language Worship Service follows at 11:00 a.m. Later in the afternoon, the church gathers again at 3:00 p.m. for Adoración Español, a Spanish-language service that reflects the bilingual reach of the congregation. Together these services give the church a steady Sunday presence from morning through mid-afternoon in both English and Spanish.
On Tuesdays, the community gathers at 9:30 a.m. for the Tuesday Devotion, a weekly time of prayer and Bible reflection that has been a fixture of the church for years. Communion is celebrated periodically and is open to those joining online as well as in person, with members encouraged to have juice or water and a cracker or bread ready at home.
The church livestreams on YouTube, so members who are unwell, traveling, or otherwise unable to attend in person can still participate in worship and special services. The Senior Pastor has also spoken publicly about accommodations for those who feel vulnerable during times of community illness, including the option to stay home and call the church for assistance.
Five Core Values
Relevant Word organizes its teaching around five core values that spell out its theological identity.
- Scripture. The centrality of the Old and New Testaments as the authoritative Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. The church teaches that the alternative is clear: to not be shaped by the Word of God is to be shaped by the world.
- New Birth. The necessity of the new birth for entrance into God's kingdom, and the importance of continuing growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ for sound spiritual health.
- Fellowship. The Church as a fellowship of believers, characterized by mutual participation in and sharing of the new life in Christ. Membership is open to all who confess personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, regardless of class, race, education, pedigree, wealth, or prestige.
- The Ministry of the Holy Trinity. The work of the Holy Spirit, who with the Father and the Son calls the church into being, empowers its witness, guides its mission, and supplies the gifts needed by the church and its members to exalt Christ.
- Freedom in Christ. The reality of freedom in Christ, who delivers from the power of sin and moves believers by grace into a whole new experience of obedience and life, while still preserving the centrality of the Word and the mutual responsibilities of the spiritual community.
A Campus of Ministries
What distinguishes Relevant Word is the sheer breadth of ministries operating under one roof, each with a clearly defined purpose.
The Bible School provides classes, groups, and ministries that engage spiritual, political, and cultural questions through sound doctrine. The Deacon's Ministry is made up of trusted stewards who oversee the physical operation of the church, shore up the needs of God's house and people, and support the pastoral staff so they can focus on the spiritual life of the body.
The Men's Ministry is an active brotherhood that helps men understand and maximize their full potential, building camaraderie among men from diverse backgrounds as they face the challenges of society together. The Women's Ministry brings women together to support one another in the Christian life, embracing social, economic, ethnic, and cultural differences, and pursuing God-given purpose through teaching, prayer meetings, and interactive fellowships.
The Seniors Ministry meets the unique needs of Colorado Springs senior citizens, hosting weekly Christian fellowships and Bible studies, exercise classes, and lunches for those 65 and older, with Bible studies open to all ages. The Children's Ministry nurtures children by equipping them with God's Word to understand who Jesus Christ is, His saving power and redeeming grace, and by developing life skills, critical thinking, and social maturity.
The Youth Ministry fosters spiritual growth in young people and helps them acknowledge God in their lives through mentorship, fellowship, life skills, and activities that extend beyond the church walls. The Music Ministry aims to usher in the presence of the Holy Spirit through praise and worship to glorify God. The Creative Arts Ministry takes gifts often viewed as worldly, including dance, rap, spoken word, and mime, and redeploys them to glorify God.
The Hospitality Ministry creates a welcoming atmosphere through men and women who use their gifts of helps, discernment, and administration. The Usher Ministry serves as the doorkeepers of the house, while the Media Ministry records worship services and special events, providing PowerPoint, sound, recording, multimedia and video production, TV production, and studio design.
The Pastoral Care Ministry handles prayer, discipleship, bereavement, hospital and shut-in visitation, community resource identification, and follow-up with new members. A Transportation Ministry assists members and visitors who need help getting to the church, with rides scheduled by phone.
For a bite or a browse between services, The Cornucopia (Horn of Plenty) acts as the church's refreshment stop, offering a variety of healthy juices, exotic teas, health bars, and other nutritious items alongside books, tapes, T-shirts, CDs, and more.
Partnering With the City
Relevant Word sees its work as extending well beyond its own building. The church partners with several organizations that share its commitment to the underserved population of Colorado Springs.
SEATO (SouthEast Access to Opportunity) Mentoring is a nonprofit for at-risk young men ages 10 to 17, and Relevant Word helps promote and support that work. The church is also a member of the Concerned Clergy Coalition of Colorado Springs, a forum for local clergy, and it works alongside Colorado Springs Savvy Seniors to provide school supplies such as pencils to students at Adams Elementary, easing the cost of education for low-income families and teachers.
Through Pastor Lee's leadership, Relevant Word is closely tied to the Justice 4 De'Von Bailey effort, an editorial board that works to redress and prevent injustice toward Black and Brown youth by police violence. These partnerships reflect the church's understanding of mission as a way of life, not a program.
Giving, Teaching, and the Life of the Church
Relevant Word teaches that an offering is a free-will supplemental gift to God, expressed through sharing time, talent, and treasure, and that tithing is the act of returning to God a portion of what He has blessed. The church frames tithing as every Christian's first duty and the church's first resource for its support, citing Malachi 3:10 as a foundation for bringing tithes into the storehouse.
Visitors who want to know more can reach the church by phone at 719-635-6640 or by email at church@relevantword.org. The address is 1040 South Institute Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Services, sermon videos, and special events can be followed on the church's YouTube channel and Facebook page, with audio also available through SoundCloud. Whether someone arrives on a Sunday morning for worship, a Tuesday for devotion, or a Sunday afternoon for the Spanish service, Relevant Word Christian Cultural Center offers a wide door into a community shaped by the Bible, sustained by prayer, and rooted in the belief that the church exists for mission.