When a Yes Becomes a Legacy
The Block Church Receives City Recognition for Servant Leadership as It Celebrates 13 Years of Ministry in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA — Thirteen years ago, a yes planted a church. This year, that yes became part of Philadelphia history.
As The Block Church celebrates 13 years of ministry, the church was recognized through the City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Women’s Engagement for its impact, servant leadership, and continued commitment to the people and communities it serves.
For Monychann (Mo) McCarty, founder and Executive Director of Unorthodox Therapy Inc. (UTInc.), the recognition carried an especially personal meaning. McCarty had the privilege of nominating her home church for the honor while also witnessing Lauren Furjanic, co-founder of The Block Church, celebrate 13 years of building a ministry centered on helping people encounter Jesus.
“One of my greatest joys as the founder of Unorthodox Therapy is using whatever platform I have to shine a light on women who are changing this city because they were willing to say yes,” said McCarty. “Lauren’s yes helped build a church where women who may feel far from healing, far from faith, or far from Jesus can walk through the doors and discover that they are not too far gone to come home.”
The recognition represents more than a moment or a certificate. It formally acknowledges years of service that have extended beyond Sunday gatherings and into neighborhoods, families, outreach efforts, ministries, and the lives of women throughout Philadelphia.
For McCarty, that service is something she experiences personally.
The Block Church is where she worships, serves, gives, volunteers, and calls home. Being able to advocate for the church through her work with UTInc. created a meaningful intersection between two missions that share a belief in the power of meeting people where they are.
UTInc.’s work is rooted in the understanding that healing looks different for everyone. For McCarty, faith is an important part of that conversation. While professional mental health resources remain essential, she also believes community, belonging, service, and spiritual support can play meaningful roles in a person’s healing journey.
The timing of the recognition makes the moment even more significant. As The Block Church celebrates 13 years, its women’s ministry is preparing to welcome women for its upcoming women’s conference, October 9–10.
The gathering will create space for women from different backgrounds and different places in their faith journeys to come together, build relationships, worship, and hear messages centered on Jesus.
“You do not have to have everything figured out before you walk through the doors,” McCarty said. “You can come tired. You can come questioning. You can come needing community. You can even come unsure about Jesus. Just come.”
Tickets for the October 9–10 women’s conference are still available through The Block Church.
For UTInc., celebrating this recognition is also about celebrating what can happen when women champion other women, organizations collaborate rather than compete, and leaders use their influence to make sure meaningful work does not go unseen.
Thirteen years later, the yes continues. And so does the impact.
For more information about Unorthodox Therapy Inc., visit www.unorthodoxtherapy.org.
