121 Community Church was founded in 1999 by a group of individuals who were seeking to build Christ-centered relationships. Twenty five years later, 121 Community Church still has the same emphasis on relationships—both within and outside of the church, including life groups, volunteer opportunities and more.

The church offers worship services every Sunday at 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11 a.m., and a 2 p.m. service in Spanish. Communications Director Lauren Rose said church staff encourage members to get involved in a small group and build relationships with other church members.

“We have life groups for all different ages and stages,” Rose said. “At an early age we start talking about the importance of community to our kids.”

The church provides 120 different groups individuals can join to find others in their same stage of life. There are groups for children, teenagers, young adults, newly-married couples, first-time parents, single parents and empty nesters.

“[The church] is just authentic,” Rose said. “It is people who genuinely care about you and what you're going through. I can't tell you how many meal trains have been started for people in need. ... There's just something different about being surrounded by people who genuinely love you.”

121 Community Church also offers groups for individuals struggling with addiction, groups for widows and individuals experiencing grief and loss.

In addition to providing community within the congregation, 121 Community Church encourages its members to volunteer through various outreach opportunities.

“I think the coolest thing has been to see how 121 has really gotten outside of the church and built relationships with various partners inside the community,” Rose said. “We really love to get out and serve and have developed some really awesome relationships with the city of Grapevine... and the GCISD athletic programs.”

Rose said the church has participated in Grapevine’s GrapeFest for the past few years, offering free crafts for children. Staff have offered the building to GCISD teachers to hold workshops and conferences and provided treats for teachers throughout the year.

“It’s a really great way for the people of our [church] to go out and engage with the local community and learn more about them,” Rose said. “The ultimate goal would be if people are looking for community or relationships or wanting to discover their faith that they would come to church.”

In addition to city partnerships, 121 Community Church partners with nonprofit organizations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex as well.

“We just had a luggage drive for an organization called Together We Thrive,” Rose said. “They work with vulnerable children who don't have a stable place to live. The luggage is where they're able to keep their things as they often bounce in and out of homes.”

To celebrate the church’s 25th anniversary this fall, Rose said staff are encouraging members to volunteer in their cities from Sept. 12 to Sept. 15.

“We are praying for 2,500 people to sign up to serve throughout the community for an entire week, and we are intentionally timing that at the same time as GrapeFest. “We think it's a great opportunity for people in our body to go out and serve.”

121 Community Church is located at 2701 Ira E. Woods Ave., Grapevine. To find out more about the church or to get involved in a group, visit 121cc.com.

The above story was produced by Multi-platform Journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.