Summer 2009 - Brethren in Christ Church
Summer 2009 - Brethren in Christ Church
Summer 2009 - Brethren in Christ Church
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<strong>in</strong> partIN MOTIONstories of the bic <strong>in</strong> actionmak<strong>in</strong>g“the difference”“After 33 years of m<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>in</strong> establishedchurches, you tend to becomeaccustomed to do<strong>in</strong>g th<strong>in</strong>gs a certa<strong>in</strong>way,” observes Calv<strong>in</strong> Hambl<strong>in</strong>, pastorof The Difference BIC, a churchplant <strong>in</strong> Massillon, Ohio. But as Calobserves, his work with the fledgl<strong>in</strong>gchurch has changed that: “<strong>Church</strong>plant<strong>in</strong>g requires a high degree offlexibility and spontaneity. I’m learn<strong>in</strong>gto go with the flow and not be sodependent upon my own ability tobr<strong>in</strong>g th<strong>in</strong>gs to pass.”Formerly the pastor at AmherstCommunity BIC (Massillon, Ohio),Cal led the 17-member core groupthat founded The Difference—whichmeets at a local elementary school—<strong>in</strong> May 2008, and the church heldits launch Sunday <strong>in</strong> October 2008.From hand<strong>in</strong>g out bottled waterat local athletic events to scoop<strong>in</strong>gfree ice cream <strong>in</strong> nearby neighborhoods,Cal and his team have beenactively promot<strong>in</strong>g the new fellowshipto everyone they meet.“The real key to our outreach hasbeen the <strong>in</strong>tentional efforts of thecongregation to cultivate relationshipswith neighbors, co-workers, andfriends <strong>in</strong> order to <strong>in</strong>vite them to‘jo<strong>in</strong> the family,’” he says. “We believethis is the heart of our outreach.”√ InPart Onl<strong>in</strong>e:Follow the unfold<strong>in</strong>g story of The DifferenceDev<strong>in</strong> ThomasBIC Communications InternMembers of The Difference spread word about the∆ church plant at the Massillon (Ohio) FunFest.New life <strong>in</strong> New MexicoIn January 2008, Kip Vaughn beganpray<strong>in</strong>g for God to provide three tofive new families to Sandia ChapelBIC, the church he pastored <strong>in</strong>Albuquerque, N.M. Sandia firstopened its doors <strong>in</strong> the early 1950s,but half a century later, the churchwas <strong>in</strong> decl<strong>in</strong>e as it struggled to adaptto a chang<strong>in</strong>g neighborhood.Meanwhile, Desert Light <strong>Christ</strong>ian<strong>Church</strong> was a young, vibrant, nondenom<strong>in</strong>ationalchurch plant. As EricVillanueva, who was serv<strong>in</strong>g as the pastorthere, expla<strong>in</strong>s, the thriv<strong>in</strong>g congregationhad “all the pieces <strong>in</strong> place, butneeded a place to do the pieces.”All of this changed when Eric andKip met through the AlbuquerqueRescue Mission and began discuss<strong>in</strong>gthe potential for a church merger. InJuly 2008, just two months later, SandiaChapel BIC became Desert Light<strong>Christ</strong>ian <strong>Church</strong> (BIC), and bothchurches found their prayers answered.“We at Desert Light had constantlycried out for a place to meet, but alsoneeded to belong to a denom<strong>in</strong>ation∂ PHOTO: Courtesy of Calv<strong>in</strong> Hambl<strong>in</strong>Eric Villaneuva (left) and Kip Vaughn pastor the∆ rejuvenated Desert Light <strong>Christ</strong>ian <strong>Church</strong> (BIC).whose values we shared and withwhich we could grow together,” statesEric, who now shares pastoral responsibilitieswith Kip. “The BIC becamethat for us.”Today, Desert Light <strong>Christ</strong>ian<strong>Church</strong> is a diverse body of people ofvarious ethnicities, ages, and culturescommitted to outreach. A focuson family m<strong>in</strong>istry is result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>couples com<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>Christ</strong> and savedmarriages, while efforts to serve childrenand men are also flourish<strong>in</strong>g.Most recently, Desert Light<strong>Christ</strong>ian <strong>Church</strong> leadership <strong>in</strong>itiated“100 × 2”—a vision that after 100people fill the sanctuary two times,they will beg<strong>in</strong> a new service or churchplant. Currently, they are look<strong>in</strong>gto add a service <strong>in</strong> Spanish. As Kipstates <strong>in</strong> his annual report for 2008,“Who would have dreamed that wewould be where we are today?Praise His Mighty name! The bestis yet to come!”Kelly FunkPalmyra (Pa.) BIC∂ PHOTO: Courtesy of Kip VaughnIN PARTINPART.ORG