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What happens when the church leaves the building?
In this episode of the Rural Renewal Podcast, we hear from two sets of leaders who are reimagining church in unexpected places. Heather Jallad shares how Fresh Expressions are flourishing in rural spaces—around dinner tables, in parks, even barns—through simple, relational gatherings rooted in deep listening and trust. Then we head to Virginia, where Theresa Colomba and Tony Gray bring Church in the Park to life for people facing homelessness and addiction. Their stories remind us that presence matters more than polish, and that faithfulness in forgotten corners can bear incredible fruit. Get ready to be inspired by these stories of mission, mercy, and grassroots renewal.
Tony Gray gave his life to Christ at age 8 and has been passionate about reaching the lost ever since. After years in youth and associate ministry, he planted Vitalize Church in Smith Mountain Lake, VA, where he continues to lead with vision and heart. Tony is a Liberty University graduate, husband to Stephanie, father of three, grandfather of nine, and a worship leader who loves helping people experience life in Christ.
Terry Colomba, lead pastor of Vitalize Rocky Mount, grew up on Long Island with little understanding of Jesus until a move to Virginia opened the door to transformation. In 2013, after years of searching, she encountered God’s grace at Vitalize Church and surrendered her life to Christ. Ordained in 2020, Terry now leads with compassion, sharing the hope she found in Jesus with others seeking healing and purpose.
Heather Jallad is the Director of Training for Fresh Expressions. She is a Regional Developer for the North Georgia Conference of the UMC. She co-pioneered The Table Community Dinner in Grayson, GA, pioneered the Common Ground Network, a network of fresh expressions in Johns Creek, GA and The Douglasville Dinner Church in Douglasville, GA. She holds a BA in Mass Communications from University of South Florida, an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a DMin in Church Renewal and Fresh Expressions from United Theological Seminary.
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Interview Summary
“We often say this isn’t going to help you save your church, but it might save your soul.” – Heather Jallad
This statement captures the heart of Fresh Expressions, a movement that redefines what church can look like—especially in rural and underserved communities. In today’s episode, hosts Chris and Kathleen Blackey explore the transformative potential of Fresh Expressions, speaking with Heather Jallad, a mission strategist and trainer with Fresh Expressions, and Tony Gray and Theresa Colomba from Vitalized Church. The interview dives into the key principles of Fresh Expressions, followed by a real-world example of how these ideas are being implemented at Vitalized Church.
The Core Components of Fresh Expressions
Meeting People Where They Are
Fresh Expressions is centered around the idea of creating church in the spaces where people already live, work, and play—whether that’s at a dinner table, in a barn, or during a community event. As Heather Jallad explains, Fresh Expressions are designed “primarily for people who are not yet a part of the church.” She emphasizes that this is not about adapting traditional church models for existing congregants, but about meeting people in their daily lives, making church relevant in spaces they already occupy.
Heather highlights a powerful example from North Georgia, where a rural church created a dinner church as a way to connect with an underserved food desert community. “The pastor invited people to dinner, and 35 people showed up,” Heather recalls. This simple yet powerful example demonstrates how Fresh Expressions thrive by meeting people in their existing spaces and needs.
Blended Ecology: Embracing Tradition and Innovation
One of the key principles of Fresh Expressions is the concept of “blended ecology,” which honors the traditions of the inherited church while embracing innovative new forms of church. Heather explains that Fresh Expressions doesn’t require churches to abandon their traditional practices but encourages them to find new ways to engage people who might never enter a church building.
“The inherited church offers gifts that the Fresh Expression can build on, and vice versa.”- Heather Jallad
This mutual exchange of strengths allows both forms of church to work together, complementing each other rather than existing in competition.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Fresh Expressions thrives because of its flexibility. Unlike traditional churches that adhere to a rigid schedule, Fresh Expressions are often seasonal or event-based, aligning with the rhythms of the community.
“We don’t have to commit to a weekly time; let’s try something for a season and see what works.” – Heather Jallad
This flexibility makes Fresh Expressions a sustainable model in fast-paced and ever-changing rural contexts, where a traditional church schedule may no longer fit the community’s needs.
Building Community Around Personal Passions
Another core component of Fresh Expressions is the focus on personal passion. Heather shares that Fresh Expressions isn’t about adding another program to an already busy schedule. Instead, it’s about building church around the passions and rhythms that people already have.
“How do you look at what you are already doing in the rhythms of your life and look at it with greater intention?”
By creating space for people to live out their faith through activities they already enjoy—whether it’s skiing, cooking, or participating in local events—Fresh Expressions offers a natural, authentic way to build community.
Contextualizing the Gospel
The Fresh Expressions movement also places a strong emphasis on contextualizing the gospel, ensuring that it speaks directly to people’s lives in ways that are both meaningful and accessible. Heather reflects, “Jesus came in flesh and blood,” highlighting the importance of meeting people where they are and adapting the message to resonate with their context. Fresh Expressions leaders are encouraged to listen deeply to their communities, adjusting their approaches as needed to make the gospel accessible to all.
Case Study: Vitalized Church—Living Out Fresh Expressions
Tony Gray and Theresa Colomba, church leaders at Vitalized Church, offer a powerful example of how Fresh Expressions principles are applied in a real-world rural context. Vitalized Church, located in Franklin County, Virginia, is situated in a unique area where a mix of residents and seasonal visitors creates both challenges and opportunities for ministry. Tony shares how they’ve embraced the rural context, choosing to be active in the community rather than focus solely on their church building.
“Our desire was not to be at the building; we want to be out where the people are.” – Tony Gray
Vitalized Church’s approach to ministry focuses on creating connections with people in everyday spaces. Tony recalls how they connected with the local wine festival, a massive event that attracts 25,000 people. Despite initial resistance from event organizers, Vitalized Church persisted, eventually finding a way to serve by volunteering to park cars. “Jesus was showing off,” Tony says, reflecting on how God opened doors for the church to serve and build relationships with people who would not have otherwise engaged with the church. The church also used this opportunity to connect the festival-goers to the gospel with a shirt that read, “Jesus makes the best wine,” which led to meaningful conversations.
For Theresa, joining Vitalized Church was a life-changing experience. She shares her journey of rediscovering faith after many years away from the church. “Everything changed that day,” she says, recalling how she felt the truth of the gospel for the first time in a long time. “I had been far away from God, but I heard the truth of Jesus Christ in such a loving and accessible way.” Theresa’s story underscores the power of Fresh Expressions to create spaces where people can encounter the gospel without feeling judged or out of place.
Tony also shares how the church is intentionally focused on serving the residents of Franklin County, particularly those who work in the service industry or live on the margins.
“We’re called to the people who are living here, not just the seasonal visitors.” – Tony Gray
Their focus on community engagement, even in the midst of a resort culture, reflects the Fresh Expressions principle of meeting people where they are and serving them with love and humility.
Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Ministry
Fresh Expressions is more than a trend; it’s a movement that is reshaping how we think about church. It’s about creating spaces that meet people where they are, whether that’s at a dinner table, a local festival, or in the rhythms of their daily lives. It’s about blending tradition with innovation, allowing both the inherited church and new expressions of church to work together. It’s about building sustainable, passion-driven ministries that adapt to the unique needs of rural communities.
As Heather says, “This isn’t going to save your church, but it might save your soul.” Fresh Expressions invites churches to look beyond their walls, to serve their communities with intention, and to create spaces where the gospel can flourish in real, accessible ways.
Reflection Questions:
- In what ways can you meet people where they are in your community?
- How can you blend the traditions of your church with innovative new approaches?
- What are the key rhythms of your community that could become the foundation for a Fresh Expression?
- How can you build a collaborative team that will help sustain your Fresh Expression?
- What passions do you have that could become the basis for a Fresh Expression?
- How do you currently engage with people outside of traditional church services, and how might this be expanded?
