Because we were changed at the table.
About Tables & Threads
Jesus spent a lot of time at tables. Eating, drinking, and telling stories. He invited himself to unexpected tables, sat and ate with the marginalized, and even flipped tables in the temple. He then made the table a holy place as He shared His last meal with His disciples.
Our work is all about helping churches and ministries be more effective at reaching people (inviting people to Christ’s table).
PS - The “Because Jesus Eats…” canvas hung in our micro-church in Seattle. The saying and canvas came from Tiffini Kilgore’s work and online store.
Meet the Team
Kristen and Justin bring over two decades of ministry experience to the table. They reside just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, with their son, Rocco, and their dog, Buddy.
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Founder & CEO
I am a strategic leader and communications expert that serves organizations committed to making the world a better place.
Life and ministry afforded me the opportunity to lead creative teams in Los Angeles, Seattle, New York City, and (thanks to the pandemic) now Cincinnati. Over the past 20 years, I have been a Creative Director, Senior Marketing Director, Brand Director, Community Pastor, Church Planter, and Fundraiser. I am well-versed in art direction, graphic design, web development, social media, and video production.
My greatest strengths are building healthy teams and developing communication and fundraising strategies that propel the mission of an organization forward. I am often called in to help during seasons of transition or when change is necessary for an organization to survive. I know how to be a team of one when necessary, but have led volunteer and paid staff teams ranging in size from 2-200.
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Ministry & Leadership Expert
With over two decades of church ministry and leadership experience, Justin is passionate about the Gospel, discipleship, and partnering with the global church to see God's Kingdom come. Justin helps pastors and church leaders take the next best step when it comes to engaging their congregations beyond Sunday.
About The Name
In 2018, we went micro.
After 20 years of working in large church environments, we thought there might be another way. Another way to make disciples and be Christ's prophetic presence in a neighborhood. We looked at the early church that gathered in homes and around tables, and we tried it.
We rented a loft, baked a quiche, and opened our doors for church around a table. We shared a meal, and read a chapter from the book of Luke. We did not preach, but gave context to the reading and guided the discussion. We asked three questions - what did the Scripture teach us about God, what did it teach us about humanity, and how was the Holy Spirit prompting us to respond? We had communion and prayed for each other. Sometimes it was messy and uncomfortable, but most Sundays it was transformative. And we watched people find Jesus, grow as disciples, and become a community.
We called it Thread Church. Thread's vision was to be woven into the fabric of the community, serving the neighborhood we lived in. The rest of the week, our space was open for addiction groups or local non-profits to use for free. We did not take a salary. We worked full-time jobs and pastored Thread. Generous friends and donors covered the first two years of Thread’s operating costs. This allowed us to sow 100% of the tithes and offerings back into the local neighborhood. We tried to live out what it would look like if Jesus moved into the neighborhood. It was some of our sweetest days of ministry.
Then the pandemic hit, and like many churches, we were unable to meet in person, and Thread dispersed. A few months later Justin's job offered the opportunity to relocate, and we headed to Ohio.
Thread taught us how to slow down and listen. Listen to the neighborhood, listen to each other, and listen to the Spirit. Colossians 2:2, says, “I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God.” Thread taught us how beautiful it is when people are woven together in Christ, as they seek to know Him. And Thread taught us how powerful a table can be. At a table, you can experience hope, healing, and most importantly - Jesus.
To pay homage to our Seattle community and remind us that our work is about listening and welcoming more people to the table, we named our company Tables & Threads.
