A Parish Story from Hilltop | Tacoma (and to the world)

Today we share an extra special Parish Story to honor Paul Sparks’ transition out of leadership of the Parish Collective. As our co-founder, Paul has had an indelible mark on our organization. We celebrate him while sending him forth as he continues to press into God's dream for the neighborhood.

In the beginning of the Parish Collective, there was just a hopeful hunch ... what if there were thousands of everyday Christians seeking to be the church in their neighborhoods with no real way to meet one another?

13 years later, as connections have compounded and grown all around the world, Paul has relentlessly embodied the soul of this broader Parish Movement. Thousands have been inspired and encouraged by Paul's exhaustive travels, attentive questions, and patient counsel.

“Paul makes space and invests in people and ideas and he marks out places for others to gather, dream, and imagine. He curates hopeful gatherings of creatives, prophets, care-givers, pastors, local workers, international speakers. He gives voice to the forgotten, and the silenced, and the quiet. He invests his time and passion and prayer into people and communities and stories. His is the voice of the tap that will not stop dripping and every drop whispers, “neighbourhood,” “grace,” “place,” “hope,” “kingdom,” “together.” He is the carrier of a thousand community maps and he makes connections across oceans, constellations being scribed from community to community.”
- Rev Tim Watson, Madeley and Betley | Crewe, UK

Paul has walked the streets of over 300 neighborhoods and slept on more couches than we can imagine. Because of the hundreds of walks around his own neighborhood, he’s a quintessential “known character” by his neighbors. He’s modeled for us how to experience the patient presence of God and revelation at the human pace of one foot in front of another.

“Paul came to me, walked through my neighbourhood, prayerfully discerned, encouraged me to write, and live out this amazing life with Jesus in my place. Paul told me to stand up and speak, and care for my city well. Thank you. Paul is a gift to many, me especially. I remember that he left his shoes and I held onto them for years. They were a reminder of all the places he’s walked, and encouraged me to step out here too.”
- Preston Pouteaux, Chestermere | Alberta, CA

Paul is tenaciously curious, profoundly wise, and has remained faithful to the vision that God is renewing and restoring the church at the neighborhood level. Paul’s embodiment of the soul of this Parish Movement is most keenly evident when he is immersed in the place and story of another. As Paul takes gentle and bold steps into the unfolding future, we bless him with the felt presence of God and the deep joy of the thousands of others who have had the honor of walking alongside him. 

“It is hard to estimate the ripple effect of Paul’s life of love that has been laid down on behalf of his vision for church embodied in the neighborhood, the hope of the whole world, and all of humanity! I have no doubt that the hope of small actions will persist in new and fruitful ways in the season ahead!”
- Jessica Ketola, Richmond Highlands | Shoreline, WA