Who we are
The Vermont Project, beginning with Redeemer Presbyterian in historic Burlington, VT, is the genesis of a humble new church planting movement for the state of Vermont. At its core is a vision for a “town and gown” church in center city Burlington, with a foot firmly planted in both the vibrant life of the city as well as the UVM community that energizes it. Called Redeemer Burlington, this new mission church has been holding regular gatherings since the summer of 2011, with the goal of building a worshipping community that will bless the city in word and deed. We are convinced that there is wisdom in moving slowly and thoughtfully, listening to and loving our neighbors as we ask the question, “What would it require of us to begin a church not for ourselves, but for this city?” As such, regular Sunday worship will begin after a season of prayer and discernment, as we learn to care for one another and serve needs in the city. Over the course of 2012, Redeemer will be launching a new art and culture center called the New City Galerie, located at 132 Church Street across from the BCA Firehouse gallery. You can read about the vision for this space at www.newcitygalerie.org.
Rooted in the belief that the historic Christian gospel powerfully changes lives from the inside out–moving us from fear to freedom, from alienation to peace, and from cynicism to hope–we long to see a growing, gospel-shaped community that is distinctively for our neighbors and for our city. Our hope and desire is that together with a new RUF campus ministry at the University of Vermont (UVM), our church will over time be able to seed and send out other church plants throughout the state. The Vermont Project is a work of the Northern New England Presbytery (PCA) and falls under its oversight. If you are interested in learning more about the Vermont Project, please email us at info(at)thevermontproject.org. A prospectus and 5-year budget are available upon request.
Organizing pastor Rev. Joseph Pensak and his wife Katie and three daughters Nadine (7), Lucie (4) and Maelle (8 weeks) moved to Burlington in July 2011 after ten years of ministry in New England, both in Boston and Northeastern Connecticut. Joseph is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, located on the North Shore of Boston, and has been involved in entrepreneurial ministry work since 1998, when he co-founded an ESL (English as a second language) camp in Istebna, Poland. While in seminary, Joseph interned at Christ the King Presbyterian in Cambridge, MA, beginning an ESL program among the Brazilian immigrant community there. After graduating seminary in 2004, Joseph became the founding campus minister for a new RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) chapter at the University of Connecticut, where he served for seven years. In 2007, Joseph co-founded Bifrost Arts (www.bifrostarts.com), an ecumenical sacred music organization committed to providing new music, resources and training for the renewal of worship in the church. Feel free to contact him at joseph(at)thevermontproject.org.