The Story of Vive Charlotte Church
- Jose Portillo
- Sep 27
- 4 min read
In 2019 Anna and I were living in Houston, Texas. I served as campus administrator at Reformed Theological Seminary, but our hearts were restless. We felt a holy dissatisfaction—a stirring that the Lord was calling us deeper into his mission. Ideas came and went, but one thing grew clear: we were called to plant a church.
That same year, God opened a door to move to Charlotte. We began exploring church planting in the University City area—a church for both the campus and the community. When our son was born in Charlotte in November 2019, we knew it was time to start the mission. By that time, we were already three members—Anna, myself, and Daniela, our one-year-old daughter. With the birth of our son, we could now say we were four!
In January 2020, I began meeting people, sharing coffees and meals, sowing seeds for a new gospel community. Then COVID hit. What was supposed to be a two-week pause turned into months of isolation. Yet even in that chaos, God gave us a name: Vive—because we need His life, abundantly and overflowing into our community.
In April 2020 we began praying and worshiping in our home. Our little church plant was literally a family of four—but we prayed God would grow us. By Thanksgiving that year, we invited neighbors to a socially distanced outdoor gathering. To our surprise, 42 people showed up. From four to forty-two in one step—talk about church growth!
Early 2021 brought more encouragement: prayer gatherings outside the UNCC football field, and a preview service in May with over 70 people. It felt like we had multiplied faster than we could count.
But when challenges came and we were down to 14 worshiping in weakness, I joked that at least we hadn’t shrunk back to just the original four. God was still adding to our little number.
In 2022, we stepped out in faith and opened what we called Vive House. After clearing out seven tons of trash, we created a space where children could crawl on clean floors and families could gather safely. Thirty people worshiped weekly, then 35. Not thousands, but every number had a name, and every name a story of grace.
By 2023, the Lord moved us again, this time into an old bank building. From a family of four to a flock filling a sanctuary—it was clear that God was the one writing the numbers.
And now, in 2025, we stand in awe: from four members in our living room to a diverse community filling a building of our own. What began as a family counting heads around the dinner table has become a church rejoicing in the uncountable grace of God.
We are a mission church of the Presbyterian Church in America: reformed, biblical, and Christ-centered. Our invitation is simple: come, know, and walk with Jesus—because while we started with four, God is still counting, and there’s always room for one more.
More Than Numbers
But the goal has never been numbers. The goal has always been lives. Multiplied lives. Changed lives.
From the beginning, God has called us to delight in small beginnings. To trust Him when the seed is tiny. To rejoice when the harvest is still unseen.
And now, we celebrate His abundance. In two weeks, a new chapter begins in Shelby, NC. A community we adopted when we were just 14 strong will now have its own pastor. Iglesia Betania will be led by a Vive Charlotte intern, alongside leaders who will multiply what they have seen and learned.
In Matthews, NC, another seed has sprouted. A Spanish-speaking chapel. A new little group gathering to worship and learn.
Small beginnings. Growing roots. Multiplied lives.
God is on the move. Always multiplying. Always giving more than we ask. Always filling us with His life.
Looking for a Church in East Charlotte?
Vive Charlotte is a gospel-centered church in East Charlotte, NC. We are part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and exist to help people come, know, and walk with Jesus.
If you’re searching for:
A biblical church in East Charlotte
A Spanish-speaking church or a bilingual service
A multiethnic, diverse community of believers
A place for students, families, and neighbors to grow in faith —you’ll find a home with us.
We gather each Sunday for worship, study the Bible together, and live as a community that serves one another and our neighbors. Whether you speak English or Spanish, whether you’re new to the city or have lived here for years, we invite you to experience the abundant life of Jesus with us.
📍 Location: 6115 Hickory Grove Rd, East Charlotte, North Carolina
🌐 Mission: To be a Christ-centered, authentic, diverse church family
🤝 Invitation: Join us to discover the life of Jesus and the joy of walking with Him
Come visit Vive Charlotte—a church for East Charlotte, in English and Spanish, welcoming all who long for a biblical and authentic community.
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