Extravagant Grace: A Message From Pastor Dale Shaw At College Park Church

Dale Shaw

In 2008, College Park Church forged a partnership with Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic to help improve and strengthen the Brookside neighborhood on the near east side. We have enjoyed the grace they bring to our community through their efforts towards justice. And we support one another in offering love and care to our neighbors in need.

College Park Church

Indeed, College Park Church was built on such a foundation. Our founding pastor, Kimber Kauffman, often said, “We want to treat others with the same grace that God has given us.” I had the privilege of experiencing this grace firsthand in the first few years of College Park’s existence. The leaders of the church firmly—but kindly—led me to a realization of alcohol addiction in my life. Then, they walked with me towards a path of freedom.

The grace was especially extravagant when, 13 years later, the church hired me to be a pastor. God’s extravagant grace at College Park is expressed in our outreach efforts as well, where over 35% of our budget is focused on ministries outside the walls of our church. We concentrate on unreached people groups around the world, church-planting efforts in the metropolitan area of Indianapolis, connecting with the 115,000 people who live within a five-mile radius of our church, and committing our resources to urban renewal efforts in Indianapolis.

College Park congregation

College Park’s call to urban renewal rests on this foundation: “We want to build bridges of grace that can bear the weight of truth.” For us, this manifests itself in a variety of ministries that support men and women and children in their search for education, housing, job security, a community of faith, and a sense of belonging. It also leads us to support Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic for their 25th Anniversary Justice for All Gala on Oct. 3.

Through funding and by a great representation of College Park members being in attendance at this event, we are excited to help usher in the next chapter of our partnership. Thank you, Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, for who you are and for what you do. College Park Church loves and appreciates you and we are blessed to seek justice together.

To register for tickets, please visit JusticeForAllGala.org. Use coupon code “EARLYBIRD” for 25% off regular ticket price. Offer expires 9/10 at 11:59 PM.