mission + vision
who is storyhill?
Storyhill Church began on August 21, 2011, under the name Lake Forest Davidson, as a church plant of Lake Forest Church (Huntersville, NC). We are forever thankful for the visionary leadership of Lake Forest and the sacrificial commitment of the 50-person Launch Team who helped create this church family. While our church draws people from a variety of faith backgrounds, including “none,” we find our denominational encouragement and accountability through the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
You will hear people use different words to describe Storyhill, some of which are fit to print: simple, authentic, Kingdom-minded, un-produced, big tent, etc. One of our favorites is “greenhouse,” recognizing that (1) we want everyone to grow into Jesus-centered vibrancy and maturity and (2) some people will then be sent out, with that vibrancy, as catalysts/blessings to other spiritual ecosystems.
Storyhill’s unwavering focus is to welcome the cautious, the curious, and the committed, that we might all be transformed by God as we worship together, grow together, and serve together. We measure success in “God Stories” (i.e. stories of God making more and ever-growing disciples of Jesus). We love to know that the cautious are safe, the curious are seeking, and the committed are stretching.
Those in our congregation are engaged in “grow together” opportunities (i.e., smaller groups, classes, retreats) – and the same is true of “serve together” opportunities (i.e., church teams, international mission trips, local and regional outreach). Our people are busy in their everyday lives, yet still engaged with the life and growth of the church and surrounding communities.
After years of worshipping in a school, in a field, and at a local YMCA, as of early 2025 we are now worshipping in our permanent facility on South Main Street in Davidson, forever cementing our commitment to Davidson College students, being walkable from campus. This new building has brought a period of significant attendance growth for the church—something that can be emotionally and organizationally challenging at times; and yet we remind ourselves, a building is not a holy grail but rather a long-term home from which our church can do ministry in this community for generations to come.
Navigating the world and church life can be complicated sometimes so we always come back to these words:
Love God. Love People.
Keep Christ at the Center.
foundational practices
Worship Together
Turning toward God in
every season.
Grow Together
Connecting with
Jesus-centered community.
Serve Together
Engaging in the Holy Spirit’s redemptive mission.
Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, no one should have to walk alone. (Galatians 6:2) We believe that God has designed us for true community, not just surface level connection. This is why all our foundational practices include the word “together” as a little reminder that no matter what we are doing, or where we are going, we always have someone to lean on.
In the essentials, Unity.
In the non-essentials, Liberty.
In all things, Charity.
As you might imagine, some convictions are at the core of our existence. One of those convictions is that every person, including you, is created in the image of God and has unspeakable value and worth. In light of that, whether you share our underlying convictions, as contained in statements like the Apostles and Nicene Creeds, we welcome you into our church family and will help you find meaningful involvement.
collective callings
joining with Jesus, we:
Welcome the cautious, the curious, the committed.
Every gathering of our church family aims to be a safe place for people, wherever they are on their spiritual journeys, to learn and grow and change. May our words and actions say, “So long as you don’t have it all together, you’ll fit right in.”
Love full of grace and truth.
Nourished by the Bible, we see God’s extravagant grace poured out on us in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Empowered by his Spirit, we extend mercy – sharing God’s unchanging truth in unconditional love.
Live as ministers of reconciliation.
Rooted in relationship with Jesus, we branch out generously to one more person, eager for the restoration of everyone’s fellowship with God. We partner with ministries, missionaries, and other churches to care for the whole person, in our backyard and beyond.
Journey by doing life together.
Gathered in authentic community, we are shaped by God to love people as they discover and live out their role in God’s story. By not demanding conformity, we are free to know and be known, care and be cared for – joining in the healing and growth that come from revealing brokenness without rejection.
Lead toward more and better disciples.
Keeping a simple focus, we celebrate stories of God making and maturing disciples and leaders. Keeping a Kingdom focus, we invest in starting and strengthening churches, close to home and near colleges like Davidson.