Inside Out Thinking

Renewal happens when churches turn their focus from inward preservation to outward mission, leading to joy in reaching the unreached. When Long Beach Church of Christ faced the point between slow decline and courageous change, they chose to flip their church inside out. They shifted from wondering how long they could survive to celebrating how many lives could be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Their journey from 35 to 100 attendees on average proves that churches come alive when they look beyond their building.

The Challenge 

When Grey Powell arrived at Long Beach Church as the new minister, the congregation had endured a devastating series of setbacks. “The church was facing the death of pivotal members, replacing a longtime minister, and dealing with Covid,” Grey recalls. The congregation had shrunk to a small number of members who were wondering how long they could hold it together. They were trapped in what Grey describes as “a feeling of dread, skepticism & despair.” This once-vibrant lighthouse that had served the Long Beach community for decades was now, in Grey’s words, “crumbling and dimming.” The congregation had turned inward and could barely see beyond their own walls.

The Discovery

Grey Powell’s introduction to Heritage21 began through long-standing ministry relationships. He had served alongside H21 board member Scott Lambert and renewal coach Jon Reed in Southern California ministry for over two decades. In January 2024, Heritage21 held Awareness Gatherings in the Los Angeles area, including one at Long Beach Church of Christ. At that gathering, the leaders began to learn more about H21’s approach to church renewal, as Executive Director Doug Peters and others shared their vision for helping churches Renew, Repurpose, and Replant. The Heritage21 team recognized that Long Beach was ripe for a renewal coaching relationship. Grey also knew that they needed spiritual partners to walk alongside them as they led the church forward.

The Partnership

H21’s approach to the Long Beach church centers on providing Grey and the leaders with a consistent coaching partner in Jon Reed. He and Grey have established weekly sessions that create what Grey describes as an “invaluable opportunity to bounce ideas off of Jon, get advice on strategies, and share wins and losses.” The coaching relationship goes far beyond simple consultation to become a collaborative partnership. Grey explains, “We actually determine the goals and best next steps to most effectively reach our objectives.” The broader Heritage21 team provides the framework for what Jon identifies as the critical first step: helping Long Beach “turn the church inside out” by focusing on reaching those in the community who don’t know Jesus.

The Solution

Armed with Jon’s coaching framework, Grey and the leadership team implemented an outreach strategy designed to turn their focus from internal survival to external mission. Grey embraces the B.L.E.S.S. approach—teaching members to Begin with prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, and Share with their neighbors, which he describes as “the Jesus way” of reaching those in the community who don’t know Christ. 

The church established a powerful partnership with World Vision and Costco. This enables monthly community giveaways where they can meet hundreds of neighbors, build relationships and develop a large contact list. Grey also put solid welcoming and follow up systems in place to ensure that the growing number of guests feel genuinely welcomed and want to return. 

Beyond these foundational changes, the church expanded their community presence through partnerships with the Long Beach Rescue Mission, a local YMCA, Wrigley Coffee, Hope Coffee International, and Jordan High School Football. They launched Wednesday Night Raw, a meal and Bible study designed to create accessible entry points for unchurched community members.

The Transformation

The measurable changes at Long Beach Church tell a remarkable story of renewal in action. In just over a year, the congregation has grown, consistently welcoming 90-100 people each Sunday, with Easter Sunday 2025 drawing an incredible 135 attendees. Grey celebrates the fact that “the people that we’re meeting are unchurched people—they’re not coming from another church.” The momentum continues to build with 200+ first-time guests visiting in the last year and multiple baptisms every month. Additionally, the church has connected with over 1000 people in their community as a result of their outreach efforts!

The Vision

What has emerged from Long Beach Church’s partnership with Heritage21 is a complete renewal in identity and purpose. Where once the congregation wondered “how long they could hold it together,” they now celebrate how many lives they can reach. Grey’s conviction that “no one should do life alone and definitely no one should try to do ministry alone” is shown in his leadership focus. The church has rediscovered its calling as a lighthouse for the community, a vibrant center where “atheists are becoming believers” and “lives are being changed and people are experiencing the love of Jesus.” Their vision expands far beyond their own survival to embrace what Jon identifies as the essence of renewal: reaching “those in the community who don’t know Jesus, so they can get to know Jesus and his Church.” The excitement in Grey’s voice is unmistakable when he reflects on a congregation that has fully embraced their mission to be salt and light in Long Beach.

The Testimony

For Grey, the coaching relationship provides a trusted partner outside the congregation who can offer wisdom without the complexity of internal church relationships. “Having someone who is a person not directly associated with your church is very beneficial and uncomplicates a lot of things,” Grey explains. “It’s easier to be real and authentic when you don’t have to weigh your words, wondering how someone in your church or leadership team might take what you are saying.” 

Reflecting on his partnership with Grey, Jon shares his own transformation: “As churches find renewal, people come to Christ, and healthy growth occurs. I am richly blessed to serve alongside full-time ministers who are in the trenches daily, leading people to Jesus.” 

Their mutual testimony reveals Heritage21’s unique approach of not just providing expertise, but walking alongside church leaders as true ministry partners in the challenging and joyful work of growing God’s kingdom.

The Community Impact

The Long Beach congregation’s transformation from inward focus to outward mission creates ripples of kingdom impact that extend beyond Sunday morning attendance. Through their monthly World Vision giveaways, the church now connects with hundreds of families who might never otherwise step foot in a church building. These connections build trust that opens doors for spiritual conversations. Their partnerships with local organizations—from the YMCA to coffee shops—position the church as a caring, contributing presence in spaces where the gospel desperately needs to be seen and heard. 

Perhaps most significantly, the church’s willingness to embrace what Grey calls “the messy business of church” with new believers creates a vibrant community where “young adults are falling in love with Jesus, children are laughing, singing, and running up and down the halls of the church, and people are worshipping with great passion.” The Long Beach community is witnessing what happens when a struggling congregation chooses mission over maintenance. The result is a church that Jon describes as demonstrating that “absolutely nothing brings more life to a church than seeing people from the community put their faith in Jesus Christ, be buried in baptism, and join the church family.”

The Lessons

Long Beach Church’s journey offers vital truths for congregations wondering if renewal is possible for them.

Prayer must lead the way. Perhaps this is the most overlooked path for renewal. Mobilizing prayer teams, prayer walks, and fasting for the church to make a difference in the community is essential. Without God’s blessing and guidance, even the best strategies fall short.

Outreach is not optional. It’s essential. Only 1% of churches today are doing the one thing that will bring about health and renewal—and that is outreach. Churches cannot grow by simply hoping people will come; they must intentionally go into their communities with the love of Christ.

Welcome systems matter as much as invitation. It’s not enough to attract guests. Churches must treat them well. As Jon notes, “Thousands of church guest surveys have been completed and guests say they do not feel welcome.” Intentional welcoming and follow-up systems ensure that first-time visitors return.

Leaders need partners. Grey’s experience demonstrates that even capable leaders shouldn’t navigate ministry alone. Having a coach outside the congregation provides the safe space, wisdom, and accountability essential for sustainable transformation. Asking for help shows wisdom, not weakness.

Looking Forward

Long Beach Church of Christ’s story is far from finished. As Grey and the congregation continue their partnership with Heritage21, they face the beautiful challenge of sustaining momentum—adding additional members to support growing children’s and student ministries, developing new leaders from among their many new believers, and refining their systems to welcome the steady stream of guests discovering their congregation. 

Yet the greatest testimony to their future lies not in strategic plans, but in their confidence in the faithfulness of God. As Grey says, “The thing that gives me the most hope for Long Beach Church is our God! He has never left us. He has never forgotten us. And he isn’t about to start now!” A congregation that once wondered “how long can we hold it together” now asks “how many lives can we reach.” When churches dare to turn inside out, they come alive with kingdom purpose!

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