The Core was birthed in the summer of 2005, out of a partnership between Ryan & Christina Wiksell and Matt & Melissa Stephens.  However, each couple had been following God’s call to this mission in unique ways prior to their partnership.  To start with, both couples moved into center-city neighborhoods within a short distance of Park Central Square , out of a love of city life and a commitment to be a real part of the urban community.

In addition to that, each couple had been busy studying the first century of the Church, and some of the ways that God wanted to bring us back to our roots.  They felt that many people were being unnecessarily excluded from belonging in God’s family, and that God was calling us to return to the idea of the church as a close-knit community of faith.  Through mutual friendships, the Wiksells and the Stephens discovered their common goals, and began working together to put their ideas into action.  Out of this initial connection emerged a partnership and friendship which has compelled them to move forward in the common vision God has given them.

The Stephens and Wiksells have been spreading this vision throughout center-city and to other churches to establish their cause for urban Springfield and develop partnerships.  During their year together, they worked to build a ministry team and gathered in homes for fellowship, worship, prayer and Bible study.  They built relationships on the downtown square, in coffee shops, and via regular discussion groups called Socrates Café.

In June 2006, Matt & Melissa announced that they were moving to Chicago to attend seminary, leaving Ryan & Christina behind to continue building up the vision they had begun together, but not without help from Mik Mikulan, Josh & Krissy Wilmoth, Phillip & Amy Scoggins, and many others.

On Friday, August 31, after a last-minute freak-out to get some sort of occupancy permit, we are granted a partial, temporary permit by the city at 3 pm, Just 3 hours before setting up for the Front Porch's Grand Oening, and first official concert: Andy Zipf. A week later we receive our full occupancy, and we hit the ground running, gathering volunteers to run the coffee bar, and hosting movie nights, concerts, and everything else we can manage.

At the end of October, The Core decides to change its Worship Gathering schedule from Sunday evenings to Sunday mornings, and incorporate a Free Brunch beforehand. Although our evening gatherings had garnered some interest, it was a different group of people every time, and we seemed to be gaining no traction. On October 28 we held our first Sunday morning gathering at the Front Porch, with roughly fifteen people. At first it was called "Merge" but shortly thereafter changed to simply The Core Worship Gathering. On September 4, Ryan began a six-month-long discussion series entitled "The Jesus Saga" to walk through the entire story of Jesus, starting in Genesis. Although the group has fluctuated wildly in size, for now (3/4/08) it seems to have settled into a comfortably full gathering of several dozen, with a few families, a handful of baby boomers, but consisting primarily of Missouri State students. New people come to check it out every week, and there is a real energy present, anticipating what might lie ahead for us as a body.

As of March 1, 2008, the Front Porch has been open for six months, giving us new adventures every week. We believe it is becoming a venue where everyone can feel at home, no matter what they believe, look like or talk like. The menu is expanding every day, with free basic coffee and bottled water, plus other inexpensive beverages and gourmet desserts. We are also hosting a full slate of concerts, arts events, discussion groups, worship gatherings, etc.  This is the where we're at with The Core, and the story continues to unfold.  We would be thrilled for you to be a part of it.

Fall/Winter 2004-2005 - God begins giving Ryan & Christina Wiksell a vision for a new church geared for urban post-moderns, possibly called "The Core", and including a downtown storefront that will serve as a center for culturally relevant relational ministry.

March 20, 2005 - Ryan & Christina (R&C) visit a church in the Chicago area, in consideration of a Worship Arts ministerial position. It does not seem to be in God's plan.

April 17, 2005 - During a Sunday morning sermon (about a completely different topic) R&C simultaneously feel very clearly that God is telling them to stay in Springfield and start The Core.

May 7, 2005 - With a few friends, R&C begin spending Saturday evenings hanging out on Springfield's Park Central Square, bringing guitars, hand drums, and free waters and sodas. They continue this throughout the summer, building relationships and learning about urban relational ministry.

July 2005 - R&C meet Matt & Melissa Stephens through a mutual friend. A partnership is formed, with plans for Matt to become The Core's pastor, and Ryan to be co-pastor and worship director.

September 3, 2005 - At the Radish Infoshop on Boonville, Ryan & Christina begin a bi-weekly activity called "Socrates Cafe", inviting people of all backgrounds to come and discuss social and philosophical issues. This continues on and off for about a year.

September 11, 2005 (see pictures) - R&C join Matt & Melissa in inviting friends to start a weekly house church gathering on Sunday evenings.

October 15, 2005 - R&C buy a house in the historic Grant Beach neighborhood, cementing their commitment to center-city Springfield.

October 30, 2005 - Josh & Krissy Wilmoth move, with their toddlers Jamie & Allana, back to Springfield from Michigan. The Wilmoths knew the Wiksells from their earlier days living in Springfield, and decided to return to finish up their schooling and help start The Core

December 16, 2005 - Ryan launches The Core Blog.

Winter 2005/2006 - The Wiksells, Stephens and Wilmoths continue meeting together, with various friends, at each others' homes on Sunday evenings for worship, discipleship and fellowship. Socrates Cafe continues, and the search begins for a downtown storefront, as envisioned over a year ago. Matt Stephens describes it as The Core's potential "Front Porch" to the community, and it is agreed to call the building the Front Porch.

February 21, 2006 - The Core registers with the State of Missouri as a Church, and a Not-For-Profit Corporation.

Spring 2006 - Ryan contacts Michael Ngo, owner of 310 South Avenue in downtown Springfield, to talk about lease arrangements to establish the Front Porch there.

May 2006 - R&C meet Phillip & Amy Scoggins, who had recently started a home church of their own, and have a passion for urban and relational outreach. On May 22 the two home churches have their first joint gathering in the conference room at the Creamery Arts Center.

June 28, 2006 - Matt & Melissa announce that God is calling Matt to go to Seminary. They eventually decide to move to Chicago to attend Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. It is decided that Ryan will become the lead pastor of The Core.

July 2006 - R&C meet Michael "Mik" Mikulan, who shortly thereafter agrees to become Front Porch Project Manager, to oversee all aspects of construction, and manage volunteer efforts. Phillip & Amy commit to a leadership role in The Core.

August 9, 2006 - The lease for 310 South Avenue is finalized and signed.

Fall 2006 - Blueprints for the Front Porch are completed quickly, but the city's approval process lingers through November.

December 1, 2006 - The lease period and infill construction of the Front Porch begin. Rent payments are set to begin in August of 2007. (See Pictures of Construction from beginning to end)

February 3, 2007 (See Pictures) - The Core hosts its first Open Mic event, at the new Bellwether Gallery of the Arts in downtown Springfield. That morning, The Core gets its first mainstream-media mention, in an editorial column by Brian Lewis, for the Springfield News-Leader. Renowned local tv reporter Joy Robertson reads it, and comes to Open Mic that evening, then reports favorably about it on KOLR 10 the following Sunday night.

Spring 2007 - Remodeling at the Front Porch continues slowly, but surely. Open Mic Nights continue each month, the day after First Friday Artwalk, gathering a wide array of people.

May 28, 2007 - The Core gets its first journalistic expose, in the alternative local bi-weekly, GO Magazine.

April 15, 2007 - The Core gets its second dose of local tv news attention, when Steve Grant of KY3 does a piece about The Core and the Front Porch.

May 26, 2007 - Well before completion, the Front Porch has its first event: a luncheon for those interested in becoming involved there.

July 6, 2007 - The Front Porch opens its doors to First Friday Artwalkers for a Sneak Peak. There are wood floors, lights, rooms, and some paint on the walls, but not much else. (See Pictures of Construction from beginning to end)

August 3, 2007 (See Pictures) - The Front Porch has a second Sneak Peak, but this time all that's missing is a coffee bar, and some construction details. The evening is a huge success, as people view the artwork of Deby Gilley, enjoy the performances of Bailie and Annie Potter, eat refreshments, play foosball, entertain their kids in the kid room, and relax on the furniture.

August 31, 2007 (See Pictures) - The Back-to-School Concert Weekend kicks off the beginning of the Front Porch's official occupation. Andy Zipf plays on Friday night with Nathaniel Carroll, to a comfortable crowd. Farewell June plays on Saturday night to a capacity crowd (although our capacity was limited to 49, until the back door was reversed to swing outwards.) This weekend was a close call, since we didn't receive our limited occupancy permit until about 3 pm that Friday. Whew!

Fall 2007 (See Pictures) - The Core becomes a vibrant and diverse community hub for downtown Springfield, hosting a wide array of concerts, worship gatherings, discussion groups, benefit events and movie screenings. There's some hit-and-miss, but overall the Front Porch proves to be an instant success.

October 28, 2007 (See Pictures) - Re:Group is shelved, to be replaced by weekly Worship Gatherings on Sunday mornings. Immediately The Core begins to see a group of people very committed to these gatherings, providing the seeds of growth. At first the name Merge is carried over from before, but soon it is dropped in favor of the name The Core Worship Gathering.

December 8, 2007 (See Pictures) - The Core hosts its largest event ever, a fashion show benefit called "Hit the Lights", as part of a Weekend of Culture and Compassion featuring Spirituality in the Arts the night before. 110 tickets sold for Saturday night's fashion show, and the building was completely packed out to see the exhibition 30 garments from 10 local fashion designers.