As we move toward becoming GardenCity, we know you might have questions—and we want to walk through them together.

Here you’ll find text and video responses to some of the most common questions we're hearing. We’ll continue updating this page throughout the process, so check back often. If you don't see your question answered yet, we’d love for you to reach out!

Why GardenCity? Wasn't FFC fine?

We believe God has given us a new name and is calling us to something new—something that reflects His vision for this church as a place where people grow, thrive, and bring His kingdom to the world. Engage more with the vision for Garden City HERE and click the video below to hear from Pastor Curtis himself.

Are we becoming a different kind of church, or is it just the name that’s changing?

This new name reflects a calling to live as people of both the Garden and the City—rooted in God’s presence and actively bringing His kingdom to the world. While we’re embracing this new identity, we also carry forward the goodness of what it has meant to be Faith Family Church for the past 30+ years.

Does this mean we’re trying to get away from the legacy of FFC? We’re doing great!

Not at all! This is a continuation of the story God has already been writing here, and we want to honor our history while following where He is leading next. Listen to Pastor Curtis explain below.

How can I be praying for Pastor Curtis and our leaders?

Pray for wisdom, unity, and for God to use this transition to deepen our love for Him and each other. Pray that we would be active participants in becoming the people of GardenCity. (and check out the rest of the GC Prayer Guide HERE!)

What do Pastors Rick and Marjie think about the name change?!

They are all in! They love what God is doing here and are excited about this next chapter for our church.

Will anything about our Sunday services or teaching be different?

While our name is changing, the heart of our worship and teaching remains the same. That said, we are stepping into a fresh vision for who God is calling us to be, which means you may notice some shifts over time. But at our core, we’re still a church that loves Jesus, loves people, and gathers to worship together.

I’ve been here a long time—will my favorite things about our church stay the same?

The heart of our church remains the same. We are still a place of worship, community, and growth in Jesus. While some things will naturally evolve as we step into this new season, the warmth, authenticity, and deep sense of family that have made this church home for so many will not change. You’ll still find meaningful worship, biblical teaching, and a community that genuinely cares for one another. If there’s something specific you love about our church, we’d love to hear about it—we want to carry forward the best of who we’ve been as we embrace where God is leading us next!

When I invite someone to church, what do I tell them about our church?

You can simply say, “Faith Family is becoming GardenCity! We’re the same church with a fresh vision for the future—a place where people grow in Jesus, find real community, and live out their faith in everyday life. I’d love for you to come with me this Sunday!"

How do I explain this to my kids? They’ve always known it as FFC.

You can tell them, “Just like people sometimes get new last names when families grow, our church is growing into a new name that fits who we are and where God is leading us! We’re still the same church family that loves Jesus and each other—just with a new name that helps us tell our story in a fresh way. You can still call it ‘our church’ because everything you love about it, from your friends to worship to the fun things we do together, is staying the same!”

What's the timeline?

May 5: Congregational Conversation

May & June: Spaces for reflection, conversation, and prayer

• Sunday sermon series exploring our GardenCity identity

• Small group discussions and prayer times

• Opportunities for questions and deeper understanding

Summer: Gradual embrace of the GardenCity Identity

September: Stepping fully into Being GardenCity Church

But when will we be GardenCity?

We are officially starting the transition after Easter (“FFC is becoming GardenCity!”) and then spending the summer becoming GardenCity! You’ll start seeing the name used more internally, and changes will roll out gradually. By Fall 2025, the transition will be complete, including updates to our signage, website, and social media. This gives us time to embrace the new name together while ensuring a smooth and intentional shift.

So lots of things are changing, right?!

The biggest change is our name, but the heart of who we are remains the same! We’re still a church that loves Jesus, values community, and is committed to growing in faith together. While we are refreshing our mission, vision, and values to reflect where God is leading us, the warmth, worship, and sense of family that make this church home aren’t going anywhere.

When will the sign change out front?

We’ll be gradually rolling out changes internally first, focusing on helping our church family transition and embrace the new name. The outdoor sign will be updated by Fall 2025, so keep an eye out for the new look as we move forward!

What about the website, emails, and social media? When will those switch over?

We’ll start using the name internally first, and you’ll see updates roll out gradually throughout the summer as we become GardenCity. The full transition—including updates to our website, myffc.info, and social media—will happen by Fall 2025. 

What happens to things that have our old name on them—signs, merch, paperwork?

We’ll gradually update items over time, so you may still see some FFC branding during this transition period. This includes signs, merchandise, and paperwork. Our goal is to honor our history while making these changes, so you might notice a mix of both names for a while (#messymiddle). We’ll keep you updated as we refresh our materials to reflect our new identity as GardenCity!

I am really sad and heavy, and I’m not even sure why.

That makes sense. Change—even good change—can bring up big feelings. We love this church, and it’s okay to grieve what’s familiar while also trusting God with what’s next. You’re not alone. We want to walk through this together—if you need to process, our pastors and leaders are here to listen and pray with you. Join the Conversation or send us a message to let us know how we can help.

Why one more change?

We understand—change can feel exhausting, especially when we’ve been through a lot already. However, we believe that God has given us this new name for a purpose. This transition to GardenCity will help us move forward with clarity and unity in the years to come. It’s an opportunity to embrace a fresh vision and mission that reflects who we are becoming as a church. While it may feel like one more change, it’s ultimately a step toward a brighter future together, where we can fully live out our calling to be a place of growth, community, and impact in the Metro East. We invite you to pray and explore with the Lord what becoming GardenCity means for you.

I want to talk about this with Pastor Curtis and other leaders.

Awesome! We’d love to have that conversation with you! 

Sign up HERE to attend a Pastor Chat, where Pastor Curtis and other leaders will share some insights about the transition and then open the floor for your questions and thoughts. 

If you can’t attend but still have questions, you can fill out THIS FORM with any inquiries you might have, and someone will be in touch soon. We want to ensure, to the best of our ability, that everyone feels heard and informed during this exciting time!

How can I help? Is there anything I can do?

Absolutely! First, we encourage you to embrace the new vision and help others do the same by sharing your excitement about the transition. Start using the new name in conversation—it helps normalize it for everyone! If you’d like to serve in any way during this transition, please let us know; we would love to have your support!

Additionally, you can dig into our current sermon series, The Garden and the City, and engage in your own journey of becoming a person of the Garden and the City. This personal commitment not only enriches your faith but also strengthens our community as we all grow together during this exciting time!

How can I make sure I know what’s going on?

We’ll continue to communicate about this transition through emails, services, and various announcements, but we understand it can be easy to miss something. To stay up-to-date, we recommend checking back here, where you can find all the latest information. 

If you still have questions or want to make sure you’re in the loop, don’t hesitate to fill out THIS FORM. We’re here to help and can provide any details you may have missed. We want everyone to feel informed and engaged as we navigate this exciting change together!