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    our name

why living roots?

On the way home from the trip where we decided that Santa Rosa, California,  was the place where we were called to plant a church, we decided that the next question was, “Now that we have found the place... what’s the name?”

My wife, Christina, and I tossed out names for 45 minutes straight without any luck,  We were looking for a name that was unique and fit the Santa Rosa location and culture.  Though Christina knew what our research had shown about the city, she asked me again,  “Tell me again, what is Santa Rosa known for?”  I said, “Well, it’s the biggest city in the Redwood District... the biggest city in wine country... and it’s pretty artsy.”  

So wine, trees and art... creativity.  After prolonged silence, Christina began to describe an image God gave her.  She started to paint the picture with her words, 
“Picture a blank canvas.. about halfway up on the canvas is the ground of Santa Rosa.  On top of the ground, picture the cityscape of Santa Rosa... all of the city is in black and white.  A large tree towers over the city and  you see its roots descending deep under the cityscape going as deep as the tree is high and as far as the city is wide.  Up from these roots spring bright green shoots...the only color on the canvas. These shoots slowly begin to penetrate the city at the ground level, bringing life to the dark and lonely places.  Then she says, “We are called to be living out our faith and to be rooted in Christ.... we are Living Roots.

I said, “That’s IT!  That’s the name!  We are Living Roots.”

Art Cena
Gospel Community Leader


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LIVING ROOTS: 801 Cherry St, SANTA ROSA, CA 95404 
707.955.5722

  • Home
  • About
    • Who we Are >
      • Beliefs
    • How We Live
    • Why >
      • The Gospel
      • The Great Commission
    • Our Roots >
      • Our Name
      • Why Santa Rosa
  • Sundays
    • Sunday Gatherings
    • Sermons
  • Connect
    • Calendar
    • Serve
    • Leadership
    • Contact Us
  • Ministries
    • Gospel Community
    • DNA Groups >
      • Resources
    • Children's Ministry
    • Gospel Roots Conference
  • Give
    • Give
    • Rebuild Fundraiser
  • Blog