Non-Profit Spotlight: The Park City Christian Center

The Christian Center of Park City, Utah, fulfills a unique role in this mountain resort community. Not only do they function as a networking hub for all the faith-based organization in Park City, but they have served as a focal point for mercy ministry to people in need throughout Summit and Wasatch counties, providing meals for the hungry, clothing for the working poor, and safe space for people of all stripes to explore faith and humanity for the past 10 years.

We took some time to chat with the folks at the Christian Center, including center Director Tim Dahlin, and asked them to describe what they they do.

What can you tell us about the Christian Center? What exactly is it, how long has it been around and what is your mission?

Ours is a unique ministry in Utah. We are not a church, but work as a service arm to many churches. Together we touch areas of tangible needs – housing, food, clothing, hot meals, household furniture and supplies, emergency assistance, jobs and job training, counseling, etc. Beyond that we are a Christian resource that helps others through our prayer group, Bible studies, our Bookstore with its many resources, mission teams, special seminars, and counseling.

We began in January of 2000 as a 501c3 with the mission to “Meet people at their point of need as an expression of God’s love.”

How was the idea for the Christian Center birthed, and how did you get involved?

The idea for the Center grew out of networking churches for the John Guest Evangelistic Team’s outreach to Utah in 1997. Two individuals involved with that crusade had the notion to create a permanent networking entity here in Utah. That couple joined the JGET Board, met Tim and Pattie and got to know them over a two year period, and then asked them to come and give leadership to their vision. Tim and Pattie Dahlin moved to Park City at the end of 1999 and since then have given leadership to the ever-evolving vision for the Christian Center.

What has been the most rewarding work for you here?

Working with the international seasonal workers has been the most rewarding facet of ministry. They are sharp, intelligent world leaders. They come here for fun, excitement, skiing, to improve their English, and to make a little money. But while here they are exposed to needs not common to them in their home countries. That provides us with the opportunity to share Jesus Christ and His love while we meet those social, physical, and emotional needs.

What do you see as the most pressing needs of the surrounding community?

Park City needs a sustainable population. We are a resort community that relies heavily on entry level workers who really cannot afford to live here. The Center has become a huge resource to those who are impoverished and have very tangible needs. Again, in Christ’s Name we help them and point them to Jesus.

How can people get more involved?

We always need volunteers for our seasonal international dinners (January – March), volunteers for our pantry year around, help with sorting clothing and food, assistance with our Navajo Missions each year, and general support help around the office. And of course – we always need money to meet our annual budget of about $550,000.

Our thanks go out to the Christian Center for their vision and faithfulness to the residents of park City all all of Summit and Wasatch Counties!