What Is The Missiongathering Movement?
We are a Progressive Church Planting Movement of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that exists to be a committed community of Christ followers dedicated to growing in faith, living whole lives, and seeking justice for the good of our neighbors.
The Missiongathering churches are communities of faith that are seeking to form life-changing hope, love, and imagination in the life and message of Jesus, the Christ, and we simply desire as many people as possible to experience that exact same freedom, healing, and renewal.
If You Identify as
Professional
Queer
Transgender
Doubter
Survivor
Skeptic
Lesbian
Gay
Straight
Liberal
Immigrant
Citizen
Veteran
Male
Woman Leader
Non-Binary
Young
Differently Able
A-Sexual
Cisgender
Female
Believer
Hopeful
Indigenous Person
Elderly
Refugee
Atheist
Seeker
Special Needs
Scientist
Conservative
Spiritual
Non-Religious
You Are Welcome at Our Table of Grace.
Join Us Sundays
at 10:30
420 E. 15th Street
CLT, NC 28206
Across from the new "Optimist Hall"
Andrew Shipley
Andrew Shipley was raised in Charlotte, NC. A regular in Charlotte’s music and nightlife scene, he and his friends helped to start several emergent church groups in the late 2000s to reach out to underserved communities. When those churches eventually went away, Andrew lost hope that he and his wife Jessica Donahue would ever find a church that really accepted and affirmed all people.
In late 2015, Andrew was contacted by Rich McCullen, the Planting Pastor of Missiongathering Charlotte, to help open a music venue. But when he heard more about the church being planted, Andrew asked what he could do to help. After 3 years of hard work and dedication, Andrew was ordained into Christian ministry through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Shortly after his ordination, Planting Pastor Rich McCullen was called to plant a new MG in Pasadena, CA. With the blessings of Rich and the congregation of Missiongathering Charlotte, Andrew took on the role of Lead Pastor at Missiongathering Christian Church (Disciples of Christ Charlotte).
It is Andrew’s goal as Lead Pastor, with the help of the community and staff at MG Charlotte, that our church continues to spread the message that God is deeply in love with each of us and to create a community that shares our Progressive, Inclusive, and Christian faith inside and outside of our church walls. Our goals are to make Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the surrounding area a place where everyone feels welcome and knows the love of God as we here at MG have experienced it. Whether we are out in the community or in our quirky historic church building we always have room at our table for more.
Rich Vreeland - Pastor of Spiritual Formation
Rich was born and raised in NYC, but has called Charlotte home since 2006. After 2 decades working in finance and software, circumstances led Rich to NC, where he began teaching middle school math. During his time here in NC, Rich began exploring various spiritual practices and traditions, in search of love and healing. Responding to a Facebook Ad that featured Rachel Held Evans, Rich attended the very first Missiongathering Charlotte Sunday service in October of 2015 and found a home.
Since attending Missiongathering, Rich answered a call to ministry and began attending Lexington Theological Seminary where he is pursuing a Master of Divinity. In September of 2017, he was commissioned as a minister, by the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ North Carolina Region, and has served as Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Education at Missiongathering Charlotte, since that time.
Rich’s own passion for seeking truth and practicing a spiritual life is something that he willingly shares with others and drives his efforts at Missiongathering. As a teacher by profession, Rich finds fulfillment in sharing the Gospel and building a church that is progressive, inclusive and Christian. A church that is loving and healing for all.
