About
Common Ground Church

Our Story

Common Ground Church was born from a desire to cultivate a community where people impacted by addiction could live with honesty, experience the grace of God, and walk alongside one another in hope and healing. Whether you are personally struggling with addiction, living in recovery, or carrying the weight of loving someone affected by addiction, this church exists for you. We believe no one should have to walk these roads alone.

The church began gathering in 2024 in the kitchen of a recovery center in Nicholasville, Kentucky. There, around shared meals and simple acts of worship, we prayed together, studied Scripture, and began imagining what it might look like for the Good News of Jesus Christ to speak directly and compassionately into the realities of addiction, recovery, and restoration.

Out of those early conversations emerged a church that embraced a more participatory and relational expression of Christian community. Rather than centering our gatherings around long sermons, we chose interactive Bible teaching and shared discussion. Instead of reserving prayer for a single pastoral voice, we openly share our burdens and joys, gather in small groups, and pray with and for one another. At the heart of every service is communion, where we serve one another the bread and cup as reminders of both the grace of God and the reconciliation we have found in Christ.

As the community took shape, we also articulated the values that continue to guide our life together. Each Sunday we recite them as a shared confession of who we strive to be:

  • We Welcome Differences
  • We Show Up for Each Other
  • It’s Bigger than Us
  • We’re Broken but Becoming Whole
  • The Bible Is True and Jesus Is the Way

In 2025, the church moved its worship gatherings into the sanctuary of the Common Ground Resource Center, housed within a historic 150 year old church building in downtown Nicholasville. While the setting changed, the heart of the community remained the same: a people seeking Jesus together through worship, prayer, Scripture, communion, and mutual support. Today, the beauty and history of the building stand alongside countless stories of recovery, friendship, and transformed lives.

We would be honored to welcome you into our community. We gather each Sunday from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at 104 South 2nd Street in Nicholasville, Kentucky, and we would love to worship with you.

What We Believe

Common Ground Church is a member of the Brethren in Christ. A full statement of faith can be found here, but below is a brief summary of what we believe.

“In essentials, unity;
In non-essentials, liberty;
In all things, love.”

We believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Our Value Statements

We Welcome Differences

Jesus teaches us that with God there is no prejudice. God loves all and wants all to be saved, and so we are committed to loving all, including our enemies. We may find a person different than us in physical appearance, education, language, nationality, social status, and in other ways. So we welcome differences as God does, that we might better learn God’s grace.

We Show Up For Each Other

Throughout the Bible, it is stated that God’s love “endures forever.” This means that God did not quit on humanity, and established a covenantal love: a binding of one’s self to another regardless of how that person treats you. We believe nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, His love endures. As followers of Jesus, we’re committed to showing up for one another to love, support, and hold each other accountable.

It’s Bigger Than Us

Jesus prayed that God’s kingdom would come and God’s will be done on earth as in heaven. Our role in the body of Christ is to join the work of God’s kingdom, following Christ in joining the larger work of God in the world through God’s people. We do not compete with other churches or entities that are doing good and loving well. As a church, we are a people sent by God, following the example of Christ, to love well and serve our community.

We’re Broken But Becoming Whole

Sin is a real thing. We are broken by sin - not yet the person we wish we were. The good news is Jesus did not come to call perfect people. So, the first step to becoming whole is knowing we’re broken. It’s not hopeless. As we repent and believe, the Spirit grows us in love little by little, until we become wholly loving like Jesus one day.

The Bible is True and Jesus is the Way

We believe God speaks to us through the Bible, as well as many other ways. The Bible offers God’s story and explains how we can follow Jesus as we strive to love God and love people. We believe Jesus is the way to God and the way forward for all humanity.

Meet Our Staff

  • Ron Davis

    Pastor

    Ron Davis is the Lead Pastor of Common Ground Church and has a heart for walking with people in every season of life. He is married to his wife, Tara, and is a proud dad to Easton, Kamryn, and Alexa. Ron has a natural gift for listening well, helping people uncover where they feel stuck in their faith, and guiding them toward deeper, more meaningful relationships with Christ.

    He is especially passionate about the church’s commitment to the truth of Scripture and the centrality of Jesus, often pointing people back to one of Common Ground’s core values: the Bible is true and Jesus is the way. Ron brings a steady, relational presence to his leadership, creating space for honest conversations, growth, and transformation.

    Outside of ministry, you will often find Ron coaching his daughter’s basketball team, investing in the next generation both on and off the court.

  • Heather Johnson

    Pastor

    Heather Johnson has served in an active ministry role since her youth group days, and gets excited about teaching and caring for people exactly where they are. She has a Master’s of Theological Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary, where she focused on the integration of faith and work. She currently works for a local recovery ministry, bridging her education with her ministry. Heather has been married to her husband Daniel for 19 years, and stays busy with her four kids: Evie, Jeremiah, Timothy and Colette.

  • Luke Embree

    Pastor

    Luke Embree is a pastor, entrepreneur, and community builder who loves serving the people of Jessamine County. He is married to his wife, Christina, and is a proud dad to Hannah, Naomi, and Caleb. Luke is passionate about helping people grow and strengthening the community, whether through ministry or business. When he’s not working, you’ll likely find him hiking local trails, reading a good book, or playing guitar.