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Participation is key at Youngstown Metro
Church in the city evolves from home site to a new home in a building.
YOUNGSTOWN — After graduating from college and earning advanced degrees, Joshua and Aimee Shank could have relocated away from the Mahoning Valley and made a life elsewhere. They returned to build a life and church here.
“We have a heart for the area, a love of Youngstown and an interest in being part of the revitalization,” Joshua Shank said. He also had something else — a desire to be in ministry. “I felt called,” he said.
Aimee Shank said, “I always felt a calling to be involved; though not as a pastor.”
What began as a gathering of friends in the Shanks’ home has evolved into Youngstown Metro Church, where he is founding pastor.
“Our generation is spiritual but usually not committed to a church and least likely to attend,” Aimee Shank said. She said at first, it was her husband, herself and some friends.
As that group grew, it moved to a coffee shop in Poland, then to Youngstown Christian School then Oakland Theatre. Each site worked for a time.
“Setting up and tearing down at the school was exhausting,” she said. “We wanted to be downtown, and Oakland was good and had a stage.”
It was by chance that they noticed the church building at 801 Wick Ave. was empty. “It wasn’t for sale when we first saw it,” Aimee Shank said, but after some detective work, they contacted the owner and eventually bought the building.
Youngstown Metro Church received financial help from Summit Church, Durham, N.C., where Joshua Shank was on staff. He attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C.
“Summit supports missions,” Aimee Shank said, and the Youngstown church was that. “They loaned us money with an interest-free loan,” Joshua Shank said, and added pledges made the move to buy the property on Wick Avenue possible.
That’s the business side of the church. The spiritual side, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, has a strong belief in following the example of Jesus. “What you believe should be revealed in how you live,” Joshua Shank said.
Youngstown Metro has about 65 members with about 90 attending worship at 6 p.m. Sundays. “Our services are informal, somewhat casual, and there is meditation and reflection,” Joshua Shank said.
Music is a part of the service. “We’re involved in a systematic study of Matthew,” he said.
After the service, the group shares a meal, which is another means of building relationships.
Joshua Shank said most members fall into the 18- to 34-year-old age range though there are some people in their 60s. “Many are young professionals who have a spiritual side but haven’t been committed to a church,” he said.
“A member at Metro is a participant,” Joshua Shank said. “There’s a difference between going to church and being the church. We’re focused on being the church,” he said.
Forming, building and expanding one’s relationship with God and other church members is key at Metro. “We want members to be involved in each others’ lives,” he said, noting that this enhances accountability.
One means by which that is accomplished are the life groups for women, men, co-ed and couples. “Grow deeper in your faith and build friendships with a small group of people at a life group. Find a group that fits your interest” is how they’re described on the Web site, www.loveismycause.com.
At Metro, “being connected” to other members is vital. It’s not coming to church to connect with God, but connecting with others who share faith.
For us, the main thing is loving people holistically ... that means telling them something they may not want to hear,” Joshua Shank said.
The church also values the importance of social issues. To that end, Youngstown Metro will sponsor 10 Miles to Cure Thirst, a running and walking event set for May 17, that raises money to build clean water wells in Liberia. Last year, Metro sent a mission team there and built five wells and set up malaria clinics. This year, the funds will help the team do more.
On the home front, Shank said Metro reaches out to Youngstown State University students and especially its international students. The church offers a spiritual place for these young people to worship and get to know other young people of faith. Shank said the church location is easily accessible for students.
Though the church is on the youthful side, Joshua Shank said its older members offer a vital input. “So many young people come from broken or dysfunctional homes where there is no strong parental model,” he said, noting older members offer mentoring that is priceless.
On its Web site, members may build profiles. The site also features sermon and music podcasts, a prayer wall for prayer requests and teaching and worship blogs.