Back to Church Project 

September 21, 2025  is Back to Church Sunday

Many people who profess their Christian Faith are not part of a local church.  The Bible describes "the Church" that is the body of believers, as the "Bride of Christ".  (2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:27 and Revelation 19:7).  If we love Jesus Christ, it makes sense that we would also know and love "his bride",  and be a part of a local church.

People stop attending church for many reasons:  COVID  children's sports,  the Pastor was too political, (or not political enough),   offense, hypocrisy, they don't like the music,  etc.  The Back to Church Project invites all former church goers  to reconsider, reorganize their schedules and return to church.  It doesn't have to be the church you left, but a church where you can worship, learn and connect with fellow believers.  
 Why go back to Church?
  • To Worship God.
  • To learn and be inspired by teaching and preaching.
  • To fellowship with other Christians.
  •  To serve the local community of believers and non-believers.
  • To stay focused on the love of Christ when life gets tough.
Why not go back to Church?
  • Have you heard people say  "church goers are all hypocrites"?  Jesus said he came to help sinners, not the righteous.  We are all sinners. 
  • "I can praise God at home" -- Jesus said when two or more are gathered in my name, I am there with them. 
  • "I can't find a church I like." -- Loudoun has around 300 churches,  are none of them a place where you can worship God?  Visit the Loudoun Awakening mobile app to access our Church Directory. 

More about the Back to Church Project

Churches Aren't Perfect 

People make up churches, and we know people aren't perfect.  Therefore  Churches aren't perfect either.  That's why Jesus commanded us to be kind, tender-hearted, loving one another,  forgiving one another, even as God has forgiven us.  Some may need to pray for God to help them forgive the hurt they experienced at church, by Christians.

Church Directory

Loudoun Awakening is building a church directory for Loudoun County.  There are literally hundreds of churches in Loudoun County, and most are not visible from a major street.  We organize the churches by denomination as well as location.  We list churches that are known to be in line with the Loudoun Awakening Statement of Faith 
If you know of a church that you think should be listed, please contact [email protected].  The current list is accessible on the Loudoun Awakening Mobile App.

Resources 

Loudoun Awakening is planning a media and social media campaign to encourage people to go back to church.  We have many 30-60 second testimonies of community leaders sharing why they think church participation is important.  
We are also building a list of resources that may be helpful.

(Photo by Bree Anne on Unsplash)   

National Back to Church 

There is a National Back to Church movement in existence for many years.  Churches are encouraged to sign up as hosting back to church project as churches are listed on their website.  They have many other resource such as sermon tips.  resources

How you can participate

What individuals can do:                                                                                                                                                              What Churches can do: 

  • Sign up for emails (at the bottom of the home page), and/or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. 
  • Forward and like posts, especially for friends you think may not be attending church. 
  • Ask your church to participate. 
  • Be prepared to share why you go to church. 
  • Invite people to attend church with your on Sept. 21. 
  • Sign up on the Back to Church Website so that your church will be listed on the national webpage. 
  • Post bulletin notices and make announcements to encourage church attendees to invite friends to church on Sept 21.
  • Prepare a special welcome, announcement or even a sermon appropriate for people returning to church.

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