ENGLISH LEARNING COMMUNITY
A welcoming space where learners from around the world improve their English, build meaningful relationships, and encounter the love of Christ through authentic community.
MORE THAN
ENGLISH CLASS
Why it matters
When we began English Learning Community, we knew learning English could meet a practical need for people who had made Central Virginia their home. But from the beginning, ELC was about more than teaching a language.
Week after week, learners from around the world come together to practice English, ask questions, share stories, and build relationships. Over time, a classroom becomes a community. We get to know one another, celebrate milestones together, walk through hard seasons, and care for the people God has brought right to our doorstep.
And through those relationships, we have opportunities to share the love of Jesus in a natural and meaningful way. ELC allows us to support education, meet practical needs, and make disciples while serving people from around the world right here in Central Virginia.
We may come together to learn English, but God continues to use ELC for so much more.
to go where we are called IN JESUS' NAME
what it looks like
our elc family
ELC gives learners a welcoming place to strengthen their English through lessons designed to help them communicate more confidently in everyday life. Teachers and volunteers meet learners where they are and walk alongside them as they continue learning.
LEARN TOGETHER
Learning a language takes more than a lesson. Learners have opportunities to practice speaking and listening through conversation, activities, and time spent with volunteers and one another. It’s a place where it’s okay to make mistakes, ask questions, and keep trying.
Practice together
Some of the most meaningful parts of ELC happen outside the lesson itself. We celebrate accomplishments, learn about one another’s cultures, share meals and stories, and walk through everyday life together. People who may have arrived as strangers begin to feel like family.
share life together
As relationships deepen, we have opportunities to encourage one another, pray together, and share the hope we have in Jesus. Our prayer is that ELC would be a place where people feel known and loved while taking their next steps in English, in community, and in faith.
GROW TOGETHER
Around our tables, we’ve welcomed learners from Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Spain, and Venezuela.
Love crosses languages, cultures, and borders to meet people right where they are. We prayed for a way to reach the nations. God brought the nations to our doorstep.
We prayed for a way to reach the nations, and God reminded us to look at the community right in front of us. Since ELC began in 2024, people from countries around the world have gathered with us to learn English, build relationships, and open God’s Word together.
OUR elc COMMUNITY
god brought the nations to our doorstep
126
UNIQUE LEARNERS
15-75
AGE RANGE OF
OUR LEARNERS
779
volunteer hours
You don’t have to be an English teacher to be part of ELC. Our volunteers come alongside learners to practice conversation, help with lessons, answer questions, and offer encouragement along the way.
More than anything, we’re looking for people who are willing to show up, build relationships, and love the people God has brought to our community.
