On Saturday nights a group of mostly young professionals meets in a home in Midtown. They come from different backgrounds and have different stories, but together they maintain a particular identity. They are a missional community, defined by Faithwalking as a group of people who are journeying together in authentic community and working to restore God’s intended design in a specific place and/or among a specific people.
In September 2012 Chinyere Eigege and her husband, John, launched this missional community, which the Eigeges christened “Square Inch Houston.” The mission of Square Inch is to mobilize a diverse community of people to join Christ in a renewal of all things, and to bring about God’s original design of wholeness and flourishing in every square inch of his creation. They are concerned with reconciling people to God, renewing human relationships, and restoring broken social structures. The name “Square Inch” was inspired by Colossians 1:15-23, which speaks of the supremacy of Christ over all things. The name also reflects the Eigeges’ Nigerian heritage. In African naming tradition, names impart meaning on the identity, character, and destiny of the name bearer; hence they chose a name bearing witness to the scope and depth of their mission.
The Eigeges feel called by God to not only lead a missional community but also to start a network of missional communities. They want these communities to be incarnational and authentic. “Church is the way you live every day, how you work, worship, and play,” Chinyere says. Square Inch’s monthly calendar abides by three rhythms: Bible study and worship on the first two Saturdays; fellowship and service on the third; and celebration on the fourth. These rhythms reflect their intentionality in inviting others into their missional community and in getting involved in their local community.
Chinyere’s husband John discovered the Faithwalking model of missional communities during a church-planting residency, and it was he who encouraged Chinyere to attend a 101 retreat. There, she reflected on how her upbringing and relationships have formed her. What she discovered was the connection of all the Faithwalking concepts and the thread between past, present, and future. “I never thought of those connections and implications until I did 101,” she says. Coming out of 101, and later 201, she grew more mindful of how certain past relationships would impact her current relationships, especially within her missional community.
Three Faithwalking principles are an integral part of their community’s values: hospitality, authenticity, and integrity. “We are a house church and intend to remain a house church. We have a clear desire to create welcoming, non-threatening spaces to practice hospitality,” says Chinyere. On authenticity, she states, “We’re not here to tell you what to believe. People are in different places, so we want to create a safe environment where everyone can come as they are, but our commitment to the Gospel causes us to share Christ’s transformative story, knowing that his story is powerful enough to change hearts.” On integrity, she adds, “People are given responsibilities. We work on building trust. We also create space to be challenged and keep each other accountable. Everyone is challenged by the others in the missional community—new believers see a more holistic view of faith, traditional background believers are pushed outside their comfort zone.”
Chinyere acknowledges the impact Faithwalking has on her ability to co-lead the house church. “Your past experiences influence how you show up in your present day, and that has an impact in your everyday relationships and spiritual walk with God. One of the fruits of being a part of Faithwalking is being able to let go of destructive past experiences. My relationship with God is so different now. I am able to live above and beyond my vows.”
The Eigeges have a sense of urgency and calling. They are living and leading with the vision to restore every square inch of their part of the world to Christ. Christ over all, and every ounce of their surrendered lives to him.
