Faith Community Church

Elmwood · Providence, Rhode Island

A church planted in Elmwood, inviting partners to the work.

We are a small, diverse congregation in Providence, RI. We exist to joyfully build God’s family and care for the poor in our community so they experience restoration and belonging.

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Winter Banquet · November 14, 2026 · Providence

A tale of two churches

Better together for the sake of the neighborhood.

One family. FCC was born when two local churches with one vision became one family: Faith and Hope Baptist Church, planted in 1984 by John and Sue Slaiger, and West End Community Church, planted in 2015 by John and Jenny Ames. They merged in 2018.

One shared vision. See Jesus glorified in the under-resourced neighborhoods of Providence.

One continuing mission. In 2020 Dexley Dorcely stepped into leadership and became Lead Pastor in 2022. The mission has not changed: reach, equip, and multiply disciples in overlooked places.

Dexley Dorcely with his wife Brianna and their sons Malachi and Solomon.

Meet the pastor

Dexley Dorcely

Lead Pastor

Dexley is a New England native and the son of Haitian immigrant parents. Growing up in the projects of Fall River, he noticed how few churches were planted in neighborhoods like his.

He trained as a mechanical engineer before being called into pastoral work. He has been married to Brianna since 2016, and together they have two sons, Malachi and Solomon. They are committed to staying in Providence and doing the slow work of restoration.

“We believe God is writing a story of hope here. We pray you will join us.”

Why Providence

Why this city needs urban ministry.

Providence is historically rich and spiritually hungry. Elmwood is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Rhode Island, full of languages and cultures, and also marked by poverty, housing instability, and underinvestment. Many church plants skip neighborhoods like ours.

14–16%

of Rhode Islanders attend church weekly

Top 5

Providence–Warwick ranks among the Barna Group’s five most post-Christian U.S. cities.

About 48%

of adults in Providence are religiously unaffiliated

Fewer than 20%

of RI adults read Scripture even once a week

Black and Brown urban neighborhoods are still among the least-targeted places for church planting. Urban planters also face real funding and training gaps. If churches only take root in comfortable places, the gospel witness in the city becomes lopsided.

At FCC, we commit to

  • Plant ourselves where many avoid
  • Choose presence over convenience
  • Partner with residents rather than parachute in
  • Invest for the long term
  • Honor local leadership and context

Who we are

A family being formed for faithfulness.

“To joyfully build God’s family and care for the poor in our community so that they experience restoration and belonging.”
01

Family

Not a club for the perfect, but a home for the weary.

02

Discipleship

Relational, intentional, lifelong. Not a class. Formation of heart, mind, and hands.

03

Evangelism

Neighborhood presence, ESL for immigrant and refugee families, community partnerships, and everyday witness.

We want to be a church woven into Elmwood, not sitting apart from it.

Partner with us

Where you come in

FCC has always been sustained by partnership. Churches and families across the country have prayed, given, and served so this work can stay in Elmwood. Partnership is participation, not just support.

01

Prayer

Pray monthly for the church, leaders, and neighborhood. We send updates with specific requests. Some partners walk Elmwood with us and pray on site.

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16 (ESV)

02

Short-term teams

Come join us, not “help” us. Serve through neighborhood projects, prayer walks, Sunday worship, or skills in construction, music, teaching, and administration.

03

Stay longer

Explore a 1–2 year residency, internships, staff roles, or moving into the neighborhood. We want people who will put down roots.

04

Give

Join the 100 Partner Plan. Monthly or annual gifts for the next three years keep this work stable.

Give

Your impact

The 100 Partner Plan

Together we can raise $175,000 a year for the next three years.

FCC is in a replanting season: strengthening leadership, launching ESL, investing in interns and residents, improving our space, and showing up more consistently in the neighborhood. No single donor should carry that. 100 partners at different levels can.

$80,000/yr

Bilingual pastor

English + Spanish. Share the load of shepherding and reach first-, second-, and third-generation Latino neighbors.

$40,000/yr

Dorcely family

Keep Dexley in full-time pastoral work.

$5,000/yr

ESL ministry

Food, classroom materials, and a welcoming year of classes.

$20,000/yr

Residencies and internships

Train leaders who actually love the urban context.

$30,000/yr

Visibility and care

Community events, a more welcoming building, and a stronger presence online and on the block.

Choose a level

$5–15 / month — anyone can start here
$125 / month — $1,500 a year
$200 / month — $2,500 a year
$400 / month — $5,000 a year
Churches and larger partners — $7,500 to $35,000 a year

Every gift counts. Give monthly or annually. Choose a level that is faithful, not heroic.

Give
“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:11 (ESV)

Winter partnership banquet

Will you join us?

Our partnership banquet is November 14, 2026. If you already have the booklet, this page is the living version. If you were not at the banquet, you are still invited into the work.

November 14, 2026 · 5–8 PM

Faith Community Church Sanctuary
93 Stanwood St, Providence, RI 02907

Let us know you are coming and how many seats to save.