For several years we have had a big problem at our church. No, it’s not a bad problem; it is a good problem. We are running out of space!!!

On any given Sunday the hallways are packed between services. The youth room is currently trying to accommodate more than 60 students and workers. Children’s ministries are in desperate need for space. Upward basketball continues to grow as more than 350 kids were part of the program this year.

This is all great news!! Looking back to the year 2000 we sensed that God’s vision for VBC was to build bridges to our community so that we could help people become fully devoted followers of Christ. At that time we were averaging approximately 125 people during Sunday morning worship. Today we look back and see how God has enabled us to build those bridges to our community and how He has blessed our church with close to 500 people on Sunday mornings. This past Easter the attendance for all three services was 525!!

One of the strategic bridges that we built in 2001-2002 was the Activity Center. As we look back we see how God has used the Activity Center to reach so many people. We have used the Activity Center for fellowship dinners, Sunday School classes, G-Force, Upward and so many others events and programs! When we sensed God leading us to build the Activity Center it was a huge task for us to undertake. Yet, we stepped out in faith and built the bridge. As a result God has blessed us incredibly.

We are now at the point where we sense God is leading us to build another bridge; a bigger bridge. As a church, we went through the Renewing the Vision process in the Fall of 2006 and discovered the great need was to add more space for youth, children, worship and an adequate welcome area. In 2007, task forces started the preliminary work of planning and preparing what the next bridge might look like. We are excited by the results. The plan includes all of the ideas and dreams that we envisioned in 2006.

I want to invite you to do several things as we seek to build a bridge to the future.  First, pray. Pray for VBC and how God wants you and your family to be a part of this exciting journey. Second, participate. Plan to attend the first Q&A meeting on April 20 after the second worship service. Lunch will be provided as the leadership team will provide an overview of the plans to build this great bridge. This will be a time for you to see what the bridge looks like and ask questions.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Jeremiah 29:11. The verse says, For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This promise guided and encouraged us when we built the first bridge. I am praying that God will use it to guide and encourage us to build another bridge; a bigger bridge, a bridge to the future.

Building bridges for His glory,

Pastor Rick