ABOUT US
Upward City Church is a community of people who believe that Jesus changes everything — and who are passionate about seeing that truth change hearts, lives, families, and communities in Ravenna, Ohio.
Upward City Church began with one family who desired to be obedient to the call Jesus had on their lives. Chad and Shanna Young, along with their five boys, moved from Indiana to Ravenna with a vision to see lives transformed by the gospel. They joined Orchard NEO, the church planting ministry of Christ Community Chapel, and spent almost a year building Upward City Church from the ground up. This required that they immerse themselves in the community by learning the city, meeting people, shaping the vision, and building a team. What began with a dream, quickly became a movement. With about 50 faithful launch team members, Upward City Church began hosting team gatherings, serving the city through outreach, and building momentum. Then, on Easter Sunday, April 20th, 2025, Upward City Church officially opened its doors — now meeting weekly in the Ravenna 7 movie theater with one simple belief at the center of all they do: Jesus changes everything.
Upward City Church isn’t just a place to attend, but a movement to join — one that lifts eyes upward and calls people into a story bigger than themselves. We believe that God is writing a new story for Ravenna, and He’s inviting ordinary people to be a part of it. We dream of a city where people not only hear, but experience firsthand, that Jesus changes everything — whether that’s through a heart being transformed, a neighbor being served, an addiction being broken, or a marriage being healed. We envision a church that becomes the heartbeat of a community — not just known for Sunday, but for the way it loves and serves its city throughout the week. Our desire is to see Jesus transform every corner of Ravenna — and we believe that he is only getting started in that work.
We believe the Bible—66 books of the Old and New Testaments—is the inspired Word of God, true and without error in the original writings. It shows us who God is, what He has done, and how to follow Jesus. It is our final authority and daily guide for faith and life.
We believe there is one God, eternally existing in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — each equal in essence but distinct in role.
We believe in God the Father, the first person of the Trinity. He is the perfect and all-powerful ruler over everything. He created the world, holds it all together, and works out His plans for His glory. Through Jesus, He invites us into a personal relationship as our loving Father.
We believe in Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity. He came to earth, born of a virgin, fully God and fully man. Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, He made a way for us to be saved, and one day He will return to make everything new.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who convicts the world of sin, gives new life, and lives within every believer. He leads us into truth, transforms us from the inside out, and empowers us to grow in faith and live on mission.
We believe God created human beings in His image—male and female—equal in value, yet distinct and designed to complement one another. We were made to reflect God's character and live in relationship with Him and each other. But through the fall of Adam, all people have inherited a sinful nature and are separated from God by sin. Every person needs redemption, which comes through Jesus Christ alone.
We believe that marriage is defined by God in Scripture as a sacred union of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive covenant commitment for life that reflects the love between Christ and the Church.
We believe that salvation is a free gift of God's grace, received by faith in Jesus Christ alone. It is not earned by good works but given through His death and resurrection. All who trust in Him are forgiven, made new, and brought into God's family. This relationship is secure for all eternity.
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, made up of all who trust in Him. Together, we are called to worship God, grow as disciples, serve one another, and share the good news of Jesus with the world. The Church exists not for itself, but to live out God's mission—so that more people might know the life-changing power of the gospel.
We believe that Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly to complete God's plan of redemption. He will judge the living and the dead, defeat evil, and make all things new. Those who have rejected Him will face eternal separation in hell, but those who have trusted in Him will live forever with God in the joy of heaven.
We believe every human life is created by God, made in His image, and equal in value from conception to the final breath. Because life is sacred, we are called to honor it, defend it, and stand against all that devalues it—including abortion and racism.
We believe civil government is established by God and should be respected and prayed for. We do not align with any political party, because our calling is to live for God's Kingdom and seek the good of our community, being a light in the world for His glory.
We believe Jesus gave the Church two ordinances: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is a one-time act of obedience for believers, showing their faith and new life in Christ. The Lord's Supper is an ongoing practice for believers to remember and proclaim His saving work.
OUR TEAM
Our DNA is to serve with purpose, worship without limits, and reflect the extravagant love of God in everything we do.
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