OUR STORY
BEGINNINGS
In 2016, God began a stirring in Pastor Jason Montano’s heart. His years of ministry began to reveal something God had placed deep inside him—so many people need to have help and assistance through the hard times of life. Jason would watch people walk into church each week with deep hurts, but no place to turn or be authentic. He started to seek God and ask what He wanted him to do to help the hurting people of the community. The first step was marriage ministry to help couples in crisis. The demand was so great that all of the counseling slots were filled up before the ministry even went public. It was clear—God was inviting Jason to open a new chapter of love and care for all people, especially those who are hurting.
In December of 2017, a discussion began about church planting. Originally, there was no interest. Jason saw his future as assisting and building ministries that would help people, much like the marriage ministry. However, God had a different plan. He started a course of events that made it clear—the invitation to church planting was God’s. In March 2018, Jason began exploring church planting to see if this was what God was asking him to do. God affirmed it over and over again: Jason was being asked to start a new church in Washington County.
On June 24, 2018, six families met together for the first time to talk about starting a church. They each desired a place where all people, regardless of their past or present, could all come together and explore what it means to be transformed to have the characteristics and priorities of Jesus. They all agreed that God was calling them to become a church that makes disciples to make other disciples. That day, Mosaic Church was born. However, to be a disciple-making church takes time. Instead of launching weekend gatherings, the group met together in the Montano home for a year to learn, grow, and explore what it means to live out this vision. During that time, the group grew to over 50 adults and children who called Mosaic their home.
GOING PUBLIC
At 10am on October 6, 2019, Mosaic Church had its first public service at Slinger Middle School launching its first series— Greater Love: Exploring the Radical Love of God. New guests, friendly faces from the community, and a growing group of core families all joined together for worship and celebration of everything God had done. It was the beginning of consistent growth and connections with new friends and families from Washington County.
December 24, 2019 was also a very special day when Mosaic hosted its first Christmas Eve service, "A Country Christmas," at Glacier Hills County Park. We planned for approximately 100 guests at the service, and still the team continued to add more and more chairs until the room was near capacity. It was a joyous time of celebrating the birth of Jesus and the hope we have at Christmas with our community!
COVID-19 and 3010 helsan drive
Mosaic continued growing in early 2020 and everything was pointing toward a very exciting first year. But we were also beginning to hear more news about the COVID-19 pandemic. As the year progressed, state and local mandates shut down large gatherings of people—like church services—to stop the spread. Then in March, Mosaic learned that in order to protect the students, we would no longer be able to hold services at Slinger Middle School. So on Sunday, March 15, Mosaic pivoted to online services via Facebook Live. This was a challenge for such a young church, but also a time of amazing creativity from our volunteers. Each week, the team worked to encourage and bring hope to those who tuned in from living rooms in our community and across the country.
Once churches were able to meet again, Mosaic searched for a place to hold Sunday gatherings. Once again, God provided. On June 14, 2020, Mosaic met in person at 3010 Helsan Dr. in Richfield. The gathering looked different due to COVID-19 precautions, with people in masks and hand sanitizer everywhere, yet the joy of being together again was unmatched. Through the summer, fall, and winter, new families have come to explore Mosaic's community and the church has grown, nearly doubling in size.
206 Slinger rd.
Knowing that the Richfield location was temporary, the team began to look for a permanent location in Slinger. After many months of searching, praying, and negotiations, Mosaic received the keys to 206 Slinger Rd. on January 1st 2021. This building was the perfect location for the heart and vision of Mosaic…directly across the street from Slinger High School. Renovating a building from a former batting cage business into a church came with many challenges. Once again, God provided. Countless volunteers came to help any way they could. People both inside and outside of Mosaic were radically generous and helped raise the funds needed. Friends from other churches donated funds and volunteers to help. It was a time of unity and growth as Mosaic linked arms together and with other churches to make the building a church home.
April 25th was the last Sunday gathering at the Helsan location, and on April 30th the Richfield location was officially closed. However, the Slinger location was not ready yet to hold services. On May 2nd Mosaic gathered together for an outdoor service in the parking lot of the new location. It was an exciting and electric day as Mosaic celebrated all God has done. This day also marked a time when many of the families who have been socially distancing returned. The Mosaic family was coming back together again…14 months after the COVID-19 lock down.
MOSAIC HAS A HOME
From May through July, all of the Sunday gatherings were held outside as renovations continued. Then, the big day came! On August 1st 2021, Mosaic held its first indoor service in their new home. It was a day of celebration, laughter, and tears to see all of the work come together. Another big day came on October 2nd, as the church family celebrated 2 years of going public. This day was extra special as Mosaic had the building dedicated to the community, volunteers and donors were honored, and God was worshiped for all He had done.
The story of Mosaic has had more twists and turns than one could ever have imagined. However, if you look carefully you will see a very important theme: the fingerprints of God are seen in every moment. When there was a need, God provided. When there seemed to be no way to continue, He provided a way. It has been Him every step of the way. Today, we join together to celebrate all He has done, is doing, and will do through a bunch of broken people who followed the call to start a new church.