COMMUNITY
Connect Church is a community church. That means we believe our greatest impact for God’s Kingdom comes through serving the local communities we’ve been called to be a part of. For us, that specifically includes the Windstone community, located around our property at 98th & Upland, and the Northridge community, located around our worship facility at 11th & Milwaukee. Since 2021, we’ve formally adopted Upland Heights Elementary and Primrose Retirement Community as places where we intentionally serve and invest. In 2024, our community efforts expanded to include Northridge Elementary, further deepening our commitment to love our neighbors and share the heart of Jesus right where we're planted.
UPLAND HEIGHTS
Elementary
When Connect Church purchased the land at 98th & Upland, we looked across the street to our south and saw Upland Heights Elementary. We had prayed for God to give us the place of greatest impact for His Kingdom, and He not only gave us the location of impact but the impact itself: to love and support our closest neighbors. These students and families need the love of Jesus, and if not us, then who will show them His love?
From that conviction, we committed to build a full-time daycare that would feed into Upland Heights, giving us daily opportunities to impact students, families, and staff. Since adopting the school in 2021, we’ve blessed teachers with shirts, letters, and gifts, cooked them breakfast, prayed over classrooms and new school years, we've provided supplies for students, joined fall festivals, adopted families at Christmas, and delivered meals in times of need.
Our vision is to expand this impact even further. Through the daycare, afterschool program, and summer care, we will be able to share the love of Jesus with children and families five days a week. We believe God has entrusted us with this mission, and we are committed to serving Upland Heights Elementary year after year.
NORTH RIDGE
Elementary
When God opened the door for us to secure our worship facility at Milwaukee and 11th Street, we couldn’t help but look around. And wouldn’t you know it, right across the street to our north stood another elementary school: Northridge Elementary. Just like before, it didn’t take any convincing. We already knew God places His church in specific locations for a reason, and Northridge was no coincidence.
Since October 2024, we’ve been building relationships with the principal and office staff, striving to be good neighbors and a steady presence of encouragement. We’ve started finding simple but meaningful ways to show the love of Jesus to students, families, teachers, and staff, just as we’ve done at Upland Heights. And we know this is just the beginning.
We’re excited to discover even more unique opportunities to partner with Northridge Elementary, continuing to live out our calling to be Jesus to our community.
primrose
Bible Study
Every Sunday at 4:00 PM, Connect Church hosts a weekly Bible study at Primrose Retirement Community. Together with the residents, we open God’s Word and walk book by book through the Scriptures. It’s a simple rhythm, but over the years God has used it in incredible ways.
We’ve had the privilege of celebrating life’s milestones—like members’ 100th birthdays and even a couple’s 80th wedding anniversary. We’ve witnessed an 88-year-old read from an English Bible for the very first time, and we’ve rejoiced as a few residents for the first time in their life have come to know Jesus as Lord and savior. These moments remind us that it’s never too late for God to move, and that His Word truly is alive and active. Each week, this Bible study brings encouragement, fellowship, and the hope of the gospel to our Primrose neighbors, reminding them that their story is still being written in Christ.
Primrose
The Gathering
"The Gathering" ministers weekly on Wednesdays at 10 am as we sing hymns with our friends at Primrose Retirement community.
Directly across the street from our 98th & Upland location sits Primrose Retirement Community. Even before their doors officially opened, we felt called to love and serve our neighbors. Over the years, we’ve brought poinsettias at Christmas, performed Christmas plays, and sung carols through their hallways and streets. We’ve joined in many of their activities, shared meals, offered companionship, and week after week we’ve had the privilege of bringing smiles to their faces by honoring them and reminding them that they are deeply loved and not forgotten.
As a multi-generational church, we see our time at Primrose as a sacred opportunity. We come to honor the generation that has gone before us. Through weekly worship, we usher them into God’s presence, often awakening treasured memories through hymns that shaped their faith. These moments of song and joy can spark life, restore purpose, and strengthen hearts as they are reminded of God’s faithfulness.
In addition, we've added another facility to care for: Fountain Hills. We sign with our friends at Fountain Hills every other Wednesday at 1 PM.
Griefshare
Ministry
At Connect Church, our Good Grief ministry exists to remind people that even in life’s hardest moments, God is the God who gives beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness. Grief is difficult, but we believe God meets us in our pain and walks with us through it.
That’s why we partner with GriefShare, a Christ-centered, biblically based support program that helps people heal from loss. Grieving looks different for everyone—some feel anger, regret, or depression; others live in a fog or feel pressure to “move on.” But grief cannot be rushed. Healing takes time, and it happens best when we walk the journey together.
Good Grief offers a safe place where people can process honestly, receive encouragement from God’s Word, and find strength in community. No one can erase the pain, but no one has to face it alone. Week by week, we’ve seen God use this ministry to bring hope and healing to those who are hurting.
