Why are we doing this project?
God has big things in store for our church. We have been praying about the vision of our church and God has made it clear to us that it is time to Revive the Stones and build a permanent church home. Below are just a few reasons why this calling is clear and why we have entered into this time of building and investment.
GOD PROVIDED THE LAND WE ARE BUILDING UPON...
The land we are to build on was a free gift and was provided in a miraculous way. God has been working throughout this process and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to start building on land that is 100% ours.
INVESTING IN A PERMANENT HOME...
We are spending close to $20k a month in rent and that number will only increase over time. We have a desire for that monthly cost to be invested into a permanent home rather than in a leased location that a landlord can sell or rent to other tenants.
BUILDING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS...
This project will affect not only our lives but the lives of our future generations. We desire to see our children and youth grow and to have a facility that can foster that growth.
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES...
We are limited with what we can and cannot do at our location because we are in a leased space. We desire to use our facility during our Sunday morning services and other ministry gatherings without the limitations of being a tenant or having tenant neighbors.
A Message From Pastor Chris:
“...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” - Jesus
Family, as we go through this season of giving, my heart is filled with anticipation and excitement to see what God will do through our church. The history of WBCC is filled with awe-inspiring occasions where God has shown His mighty works. When our church planter passed away less than 2 years after starting, many said, “That church is done.” However, within a year, we went from averaging 60 people on a Sunday to almost 200 as the Lord opened doors with the Wells Branch MUD for us to move from a small annex building of the WB MUD to the spacious WB Rec Center. God grew our church strong enough to plant Eastside Community Church and launch missionaries around the globe. When the Wells Branch MUD gave us a 60 day notice to vacate, we turned to our God again. He brought us together to raise the funds to move into our current location on Wells Branch Parkway. After CVS bought our children’s ministry building and reduced it to rubble, we turned to God once again. He provided us land in a strategic location for a permanent home.
I chose the title, “Revive the Stones” for this campaign. It speaks to what the enemy wants to do with our church, but how God is ultimately leading our church through challenges for His glory and our good. In the book of Nehemiah, the enemy of God’s people taunted them in their vision to secure their home. He said, “Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubble, and burned ones at that? (Nehemiah 4:2)” The enemy taunted God’s people. He reminded them of how small they were and how insurmountable the task. Yet, through faith, perseverance, and hard work, God’s people rebuilt the wall and started once again to fulfill their calling: to be a distinct people revealing the love and grace of God to the world.
This “giving” campaign provides front row seats to what God wants to do through us. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over.” I don’t know if that will include material blessings, but I do know the spiritual blessings to come will be exponential. This facility will give us a permanent headquarters from which to live out our purpose: Love God. Love People. Make Disciples.
My wife Adrienne and I earnestly believe that Wells Branch Community Church is ready for this great challenge. Let us each enter into this exciting moment with prayer and enthusiasm. I love you all!
Chris Plekenpol
Lead Pastor
Wells Branch Community Church