At Christian Fellowship Church (CFC), Living on Mission is not a program…it is a posture. It is a way of embodying faith through everyday rhythms, ordinary relationships, and intentional presence in the places God has already positioned His people. As leaders Zach Detweiler and Dave Doherty describe it, Living on Mission is about recognizing that ministry does not begin when someone walks through church doors; it begins in neighborhoods, gyms, schools, workplaces, and living rooms across Ashburn and the surrounding communities.

Both leaders trace their involvement in Living on Mission to a shared conviction: transformation happens through relationships, not transactions. For Zach, that conviction deepened through years of community-building at CFC and a formative small-group experience centered on The Tangible Kingdom. The question that reshaped his family’s choices was simple but profound…Who are we choosing to spend our time with? From that point forward, Zach and his wife Nicole began structuring their lives around proximity to those who may not yet know Christ, trusting that consistent presence and authentic care would open doors for deeper conversations.

Dave’s journey reflects a similar arc shaped by redemption and resilience. After coming to faith during his military service, walking through seasons of brokenness, and later helping plant a church centered on relational ministry, Dave found his way to CFC during a period of healing. What once felt like failure was ultimately revealed as preparation. The DNA of Living on Mission mirrored the very vision he and his wife had lived out for years …loving neighbors intentionally, building community patiently, and trusting God with the outcomes.

The impact of Living on Mission in Ashburn is not measured in attendance figures or one-time events, but in lives slowly transformed through trust. Leaders shared stories of neighbors who once kept to themselves now finding belonging, of marriages restored because someone created a safe space to talk, of children welcomed into church environments because parents felt seen and respected. One recurring theme stood out: people turn to those who have already shown them love when life becomes hard. That trust is the fruit of mission lived over time.

CFC’s broader vision (to be indispensable to the community) comes to life through these personal stories. Living on Mission equips church members to see their existing routines as sacred ground. Whether hosting a holiday appetizer party, gathering neighbors for Bible discussion at a gym, mentoring at local schools, or simply learning to ask better questions, members are encouraged to live with spiritual attentiveness rather than adding more to their calendars.

Most importantly, Living on Mission affirms that every believer is called…regardless of personality, background, or experience. The ministry does not rely solely on those with overt gifts of evangelism; instead, it helps people discover how their unique wiring can remove barriers to faith for others.

An open heart, willingness to listen, and desire to love well are the only prerequisites.

To sustain this work long-term, the leadership team emphasizes shared ownership and support. Alumni gatherings, peer-to-peer mentoring, small-group integration, and intentional partnerships ensure that no one lives on mission alone. As leaders note, loving people deeply can be costly, but it is also where joy, renewal, and God’s presence are most clearly experienced.

Living on Mission ultimately invites a simple yet challenging call: be present, love your neighbors, and trust God with the rest. In doing so, ordinary lives become extraordinary testimonies of grace at work …right where life happens.

Written by Dr. Shakira Munden