"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."
2 Corinthians 5:20
Who We Are
The Church Outside the Walls started in 2012 as a local church dedicated to experiencing and sharing the healing hope of Christ, both within the Church walls and outside of them. Through discipleship, worship arts, home and hospital visits, prayer gatherings, and ministering in places like the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, we have been meeting needs as they occur.
In 2018, after a season of fasting and praying, our mission slightly shifted to include purposeful partnerships with other ministries and community organizations, which serves to expand our “outside” reach. Through a two-pronged focus that includes being the Church and reaching outside of the Church, via weekly church gatherings and ministering to others through “Church Outs”, the Church Outside the Walls continues to carry forth its mission of seeing Christ and being Christ.
KEY PEOPLE
Co-founder/Minister/President
Jose Rivera Sr.
Jose Rivera has been serving the Lord for over 30 years. Raised in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, Jose faced a number of obstacles growing up such as fatherlessness and academic struggles. By the grace of God, Jose was able to graduate from high school and college, earning both a B.A. and an M.A. degree. Jose has engaged in world wide short-term missions trips, worship arts ministry, sports ministry, discipleship building and church leadership. He has been married to Shanda Rivera for over 3 decades and is the proud father of three beautiful children.
Co-founder/Minister/Executive Leader
Y'Shanda Rivera, PhD
Dr. Y’Shanda (Shanda) Rivera is passionate about all things Jesus. A Christ-follower for over 30 years, Shanda seeks out opportunities to display how the Church, as Christ’s ambassadors, can reflect Him in day-to-day living. A researcher and educator by profession, Shanda's research work focuses on designing and developing ecological partnerships, across schools and community organizations, to provide academic and social supports for highly vulnerable adolescents.
A mentor to many, Shanda can often be found teaching others from the Word of God and being a bridge builder across various cultural contexts. She has been married to Jose for 3 decades and together they have served as church leaders in a number of capacities. They, along with their three children, love being hospitable.
Minister/Board Member
Angelo Vazquez
Angelo Vazquez’s life was radically changed by Christ over 10 years ago. Since then, he has been whole-heartedly committed to sharing the good news of the gospel with anyone who will listen. A city worker by day, Angelo enjoys teaching from the word of God, ministering to the hurting, playing and coaching sports, and hanging with his wife and two daughters.
CONTACT US
Get in touch with The Church Outside the Walls to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.