Over the last year Bryan and I have met a handful of people that are also moving out to Denver. When we would ask them why Denver most of them would respond with something along the lines of “well, it is just a really cool city and it is so beautiful out there”. We can definitely relate to this statement but there are so many other aspects of Denver that we have fallen in love with. Please do not consider this an exhaustive list of all the cool aspects of Denver but it is a start for us.
The city of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the state of Colorado. Denver ranks as the 24th most populous U.S. city and the Denver-Aurora metro area is ranked as the 21st most populous U.S. metropolitan area. High in those rankings=lots of people. Our church hopes to reach people!!! PEOPLE need Jesus! (thanks Wikipedia for these facts!)
Speaking of people, the NATIONS are in Denver. Just to name a few-presently in Denver there are 116,000 Mexicans. 5,000 Russians. 350 Nicaraguans. 2,000 Peruvians. 10,000 Vietnamese. 1,000 Colombians. 1,400 Ethiopians. 2,800 Japanese. 800 Australians. These facts are from the 2000 census so I am so excited to see the new numbers once the 2010 census is processed (I guess 2010 has to come first, right?). (thanks peoplegroups.info for these facts!)
Culture in the form of sports-every major professional sport is represented in Denver. NFL-Go Denver Broncos! MLB-Go Colorado Rockies! NBA-Go Denver Nuggets! NHL- Go Colorado Avalanche! and did i mention Go Broncos-i am really not into football-especially NFL-but even if you aren’t the Broncos have surely gotten your attention this season: 6-0! This influx of sports could mean trouble for traffic and wallet reasons but for Great Commission reasons-what a great way for Bryan to hang out with a guy at a baseball game and bring the gospel into their hangout time! And for opportunities for girls-”hey, why don’t we hang out since our husbands are going to be at the game?” We hope to use these secular aspects to form relationships with people with the hopes of bringing the great Gospel in!
Culture through communities-we were told how there are so many different areas of Denver with their own feel-Stapleton, the Highlands, Uptown, LoDo, Capitol Hill, neighborhoods around Wash Park. Denver is also known for its MANY parks-Cheesman, Wash Park, City Park-just to name a few. In the Denvergov.org site, under the “Find a Park in Denver” link I counted over 200 parks! I told you Denver has LOTS of parks!
I wouldn’t say that Denver is incredibly known for its influence on the US as some other major cities are but I would say that Denver is one of the cities leading (and leading well) the green movement! Go Green! I am so thankful that Bryan and I were pretty green before having our eyes set on Denver or we would have a lot to learn (cough cough Andy).
Again, these few paragraphs do not define Denver! If their are any Denver natives or dwellers reading this, I truly realize that I have a lot to learn about Denver and this is nothing but exciting for me! I cannot wait to immerse myself in this city that I have already fallen in love with.
I hope that answers some questions as to “why Denver?”. Maybe not. All of the above are great reasons and as best I know, very true. The real reason that we are going to Denver is for Jesus. God has given us the chance at intimacy with Him again through sending his son, Jesus Christ. We are going to Denver out of hearts that are grateful and humbled by the fact that Jesus would become sin for us so that we may become the righteousness of God. We want others to know this truth and wrap their entire lives around it. It’s all about you Jesus. May it never be about culture, being green, or being active-may it always be about you.
Great post!
It’s funny how the Holy Spirit works on our hearts. When you guys first mentioned Denver I was like, “Have fun…I definitely won’t see you there!”
But the more I learn about Denver the more excited I become. I really cannot wait to move out there…get to know the city…and to preach the gospel. What an exciting opportunity and what a privilege that God allows us.