“Jesus is resurrected from the dead, so ultimately, everything is going to be alright.”

It’s a message Ben Bechtel often returns to at Midtown Community Church, the Acts 29 church he planted in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 2023. About every third sermon, he reminds his congregation of this simple truth: because Jesus rose from the dead, hope has the final word. “Jesus is resurrected from the dead, so ultimately, everything is going to be alright.” Condividi il Tweet

That message resonates deeply in Midtown Harrisburg, the neighborhood where the church is planted. Ben describes the area as pessimistic, cynical, and “a little punk rock.”

As Ben prepared to plant, Acts 29 leaders walked alongside him, helping shape him and the church. He shadowed Acts 29 pastors who showed him how to plant a church and “not lose your mind.” His cohorts poured into him so he could pour out. “There are things that the Lord is doing in our church now that are borne out of my time with other church planters in my cohorts.”

Three years later, Midtown Community Church has outgrown its original meeting space, and stories of gospel hope continue to multiply.

A man recovering from drug addiction celebrated the first birthday party of his life because his community group wanted him to know he was loved.

A man struggling with mental health challenges came to faith in Christ, and today he and his wife are faithfully following Jesus.

A woman discovered the church on Instagram, trusted Christ, and now eagerly studies Scripture, continually asking questions as she grows in her faith.

In a neighborhood often marked by cynicism, hope is emerging.

This year, the church hopes to share a larger church building with another Midtown congregation, nearly doubling its Sunday capacity. The new space will create room for more neighbors to hear the good news of Jesus—the same good news Ben continues to proclaim: because Christ is risen, there is hope, and ultimately, everything is going to be alright.