DR. ROGER VALCI | LEAD PASTOR
THE MEETING | A PLACE OF ENCOUNTER
“THERE I WILL MEET YOU AND SPEAK TO YOU… THERE WILL BE A PLACE SET ASIDE FOR MY GLORY.” (God speaking to His people about The Meeting, Exodus 29:42)
The number one question asked by our guests concerning Valley Christian centers around the weekend experience – the activities and philosophy of our corporate gathering, which we call The Meeting. The Bible says a lot about how we are to view this sacred setting.
IT IS A MEETING ABOUT GOD. God is the agenda of The Meeting. With that in mind, we steer all activities in this place to
please and honor Him.
IT IS A WORSHIP MEETING. God seeks focus, celebration, and offerings in The Meeting. We come to His house ready
to give.
IT IS A CORPORATE MEETING. God invites everyone to The Meeting - and we mean everyone. The classifications of this world (age, ethnicity, economics, personality, faith experience or lack thereof) should never prohibit anyone from responding to God’s invitation to celebrate Him in His house. IT IS A MEETING WHERE GOD SPEAKS. God encourages, directs – and if necessary – rebukes us each time we open
the sacred Scriptures together.
IT IS A MEETING WHERE WE CAN RECEIVE ENCOURAGING PRAYER . Each week we provide opportunity for one of
our leaders to pray with you and for you.
Our aim each week is to create a setting where you can pull away from the demands and pressures of life and be refreshed in the presence of God. We are so glad you’re here and hope you leave the Hill each week saying, “That was time well spent!”
THE MEETING AT VALLEY CHRISTIAN… COME ENCOUNTER GOD WITH US.
“[CITY-REACHING] EXISTS BECAUSE WORSHIP DOESN’T. WORSHIP IS ULTIMATE, NOT [CITY-REACHING], BECAUSE GOD IS ULTIMATE, NOT MAN. WHEN THIS AGE IS OVER, AND THE COUNTLESS MILLIONS OF THE REDEEMED FALL ON THEIR FACES BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD, [CITY-REACHING] WILL BE NO MORE.” –JOHN PIPER
GOD
s Storie I love our worship at VCC. It is open, free, charismatic and inviting. A real highlight for me is the degree of variation within our worship team. As a more senior member, I’m blessed to worship aside young high schoolers, young adults, other “veterans,” all of whom reflect the many races and cultures of our congregation. I love this, and feel a sense of spiritual pride in this unity and variety. –BOB WIEIMAN
WORSHIP | ONE FOCUS, MANY EXPRESSIONS
THE FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE is sure to set you at ease the moment you step through the doors of Valley Christian Center. Our desire is to create an environment where you will experience God’s presence. You will encounter smiling faces and a warm invitation to simply be yourself. The inspired worship will invite you to step into deeper places of God’s presence with moments of high praise and quiet whispers. With a blend of contemporary and older hymns and choruses, we intentionally encourage an intergenerational community in all our worship experiences. You will quickly discover that WE ARE A CITY- REACHING COMMUNITY and that God’s purpose for His church is to reach cities that He desperately loves. The biblical teaching will inspire and challenge you to deepen your journey with Christ and discover God’s story in you. Trusted prayer teams are available to share the burdens and challenges of life. Our pastor and pastoral staff would love to meet with you personally after service with a Starbucks gift card and answers to your questions. We strive to honor one another’s personalities, gifts and passions, and out-love each other’s differences.
You are welcome here at Valley Christian Center.
WEEKEND SERVICES OVERVIEW
Community
Students and children join us the last Sunday of each month for an InterSection service.
Freedom
During worship we take 5 minutes each week to allow the Holy Spirit to show us how to please the Father.
Support
Trained prayer teams are available to ensure that each person gets the opportunity for a personal touch.
Personal
Pastor Roger and members of our pastoral staff meet with visitors each week after service in the North View Room.
GOD
s Storie On any given Sunday, we know that when we come to Valley Christian we will hear a message that will encourage, challenge, convict, and strengthen us in our walk with the Lord. Pastor Roger teaches God’s truth with integrity and love, and truly pastors the congregation. He challenges us to worship and serve God with our mind as much as with our heart and spirit. When needed, he brings loving correction to make sure we are walking in a way that makes us more like Jesus. The messages draw us closer to our God and our church family as we walk together to discover God’s Story in us and to reach the cities we live in. PAUL & NATASHA LIMONES
TEACHING | WORSHIPING GOD WITH ALL OUR MIND
“They [the leaders] The loftiest thoughts anyone can consider are of the person of God.
THE MIND IS THE CENTER OF ALL WORSHIP. Every godly act, before it is expressed, is first birthed as a Spirit-inspired idea. The ancient Scriptures hold the power to introduce the desire of God into the mind of the listener. We excavate the Bible to discover the author’s original intent. Our teaching aims not for outward compliance, but inward conviction.
read from the Book of the Law of God, MAKING IT CLEAR AND GIVING THE MEANING so that the people
Great teachers help us see the world differently. They connect the truths of God to the vast experiences and understanding in the room. They demonstrate with their own lives how they attempt to live God’s standards.
could understand
At Valley Christian, we believe teaching should be both provocative and practical. We tackle tough issues from the pulpit to bring God’s heart on today’s challenges. We see the centerpiece of the corporate gathering being time together in God’s Word.
(the challenge of all communicators every Sunday)
The entire Bible can be summarized in two activities:
WORSHIP AND WITNESS
what was being read.”
NEHEMIAH 8:8
GOD
s Storie It is a great blessing for us to be a part of Valley Christian Center by being your missionaries. The weekend we spent with you last October was very special for us. The love you shared with us in so many ways, gave us strength to continue our work for the Kingdom of God. We feel that we belong to your big church-family. Together we can do much! God bless, LISA AND LARS HŐRNBERG, FELIX FAMILY VILLAGES
GLOBAL MISSIONS | OUR WORK OVERSEAS
partnering with those who advance
Christ’s message and compassion AROUND THE GLOBE
WHAT IS THE PROPER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A CHURCH AND ITS MISSIONARY?
This question forms the philosophical basis for Valley Christian and its global missions endeavor. In the text to the right, we see a sending church fully aware and eager to meet the needs of their sacrificial missionary. We aim to follow their model with our global partners. Below are guiding principles that steer our resources and relationships with our missionaries and their agencies.
WE LOOK FOR RELATIONAL PARTNERS.
Healthy ministry is the outgrowth of genuine friendship. To the degree possible, we aim to personally know our missionary families. We want to be the first ones they call when a need arises. We love for them to stay with us and put their children in our schools when they are in town.
WE GO DEEP AND NARROW RATHER THAN BROAD AND GENERAL.
We choose to make significant investments into fewer missionaries.
LESS THAN 1% TRAINING CENTERS
Not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only… now that I received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, I am amply supplied.” (a note of thanks from the missionary to the sending church) PHILIPPIANS 4:14-18
SION PAS COM
WE ARE STRATEGIC.
We are intentional about what we do and with whom we partner. Our four quadrants focus our efforts and steer our resources.
ION MAT C LA
“IT WAS GOOD OF YOU TO SHARE IN MY TROUBLES.
PRO
VULNERABLE CHILDREN
SION PAS COM
ION MAT CLA PRO
CLEAN WATER
THE PEOPLE CHOOSE.
At Valley Christian, the pastors do not make the missions decisions. The Missions Committee and Deacon Board do. The people of this church select the missionaries and raise funds to support them.
WE GIVE PEOPLE OPTIONS.
We promote different opportunities to the congregation and let people in our church decide which ones they want to partner beside.
WE PROVIDE ONGOING OVERSIGHT.
We require financial reports and send teams overseas to review their progress. Our missionary partnerships are evaluated every four years, and if terms are satisfied by both parties, renewed for another term.
WE BELIEVE THIS MODEL FOSTERS THE NECESSARY RELATIONSHIPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE MINISTRY.
GOD
s Storie
I’ve always loved stain glass windows; shards of oddly shaped glass, brought together by soldered iron to create an amazing masterpiece. Our lives are like that too; a series of events and experiences that when put together reveal God’s handiwork... His Story in our lives. LifeScript was such a beautiful experience that allowed me, with each chapter, to examine the pieces of my life and to see more clearly how He has designed me . Knowing this, I grow in my confidence and understanding of how I can serve Him more fully and become the masterpiece He has created me to be for His Glory. ELLIE GATES
LIFESCRIPT | YOUR STORY, HIS STORY, OUR STORY
LIFE script a j o u r n ey o f d i s c o v e r i n g G o d ’s S t o r y i n y o u r l i f e
Before you were born, Before you said your first words, Before you took your first steps, Before you walked into your first classroom, Before you swung a bat or spun on your toes as a ballerina,
GOD HAD YOUR STORY ALREADY WRIT TEN. The Bible says that God has a plan for you, a mission, a purpose, a goal, a destination. Human authors write biographies about the choices and experiences of people’s lives. The Bible says, that before time and matter existed, God had already written the chapters of your life. At Valley Christian Center, we see maturity in Christ as an inward journey of self-discovery. Meaning that the key to spiritual growth is awareness of who you are, what you were made for and, yes, what you will be judged for. We all know our life has purpose and meaning, but are we intentional in trying to discover that purpose and meaning?
THAT IS WHERE LIFESCRIPT COMES IN. LifeScript is our endeavor to help you find meaning in the pieces of your life. As pastors, we see our job being to serve God’s calling in you. To help you discover, mature, and fulfill all that God has ordained for you.
LIFESCRIPT IS OUR TOOL TO HELP YOU FIND YOU.
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION Year Ended June 30, 2015
The Valley Christian Center (VCC) Finance Committee meets regularly to monitor all church and school budgets, monitor financial policy, and to make financial recommendations to the VCC Board of Deacons. The committee members are Gino D’Amelio (VCC Board Treasurer), Roger Valci (Lead Pastor), Dave Johnson (Chief Operating Officer), Michael Chen (Superintendent of Schools), and Sharon Knestnick (Director of Finance). Jameel Batshon also served on the committee during the course of the fiscal year. Valley Christian financial records are audited annually by the accounting firm of Vavrinek, Trine & Day.
2014 - 2015 SOURCES OF INCOME Tithe 68.18% $1,500,000 Missions 12.5% $ 275,000 Building 10.45% $ 230,000 Benevolence 0.68% $ 15,000 Other 8.18% $ 180,000 Total 100.0% $2,200,000
2014 - 2015 EXPENSES
Personnel 49.77% $1,100,000 Ministry 7.24% $ 160,000 Operations 17.19% $ 380,000 Missions 12.44% $ 275,000 Building 12.67% $ 280,000 Benevolence 0.68% $ 15,000 Total 100.0% $2,210,000
SOURCES OF INCOME u Tithe u Missions u Building u Benevolence u Other EXPENSES u Personnel u Ministry u Operations u Missions u Building u Benevolence
WE WOULD LOVE You TO HEAR FROM RAMEZ BAHU
LINDA LOPES
Prison Ministry Pastor llopes@comediscovervcc.org
LARRY LOPEZ
Lead Pastor, The Father’s House ramezb@the-fathershouse.com
Associate Pastor llopez@valleychristianschools.org
JENNIFER DAVIS
ANTHONY M c LEOD
Executive Pastor & Family Ministries jdavis@comediscovervcc.org
DON DICKINSON
Associate Pastor ddickinson@comediscovervcc.org
TAWNI GARCIA
Associate Pastor & House Church Director tgarcia@comediscovervcc.org
JASON GAWEL
Worship Pastor jgawel@comediscovervcc.org
Student Ministry Pastor amcleod@comediscovervcc.org
ComeDiscoverVCC.org
CONTACT US
ROGER VALCI
Lead Pastor rvalci@comediscovervcc.org
You can reach any of our staff in the Church Office by calling (925) 560-6202 or by visiting our website at
LAURA M c LEOD
First Impressions Pastor lmcleod@comediscovervcc.org
JIMI MERRELL
Prayer & Evangelism Pastor jmerrell@comediscovervcc.org
Valley Christian Center 7500 Inspiration Drive Dublin, CA 94568
ABOUT OUR PASTOR
Dr. Roger Valci is the Lead Pastor of Valley Christian Center in Dublin, California, where he is raising up five hundred ministers to reach the Tri-Valley for Jesus Christ. In 1995, he left his engineering career and traveled to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, to prepare for the pastorate. He received both his Masters of Divinity degree and his Doctorate in Preaching. In 2001, he became licensed as an Assembly of God minister, and in 2003, became ordained. Dr. Valci has been Lead Pastor at Valley Christian Center since 2008. Today, Roger lives in Dublin, California, with his wife of twenty-four years, Janae, and his three children: Matthew (21), Taylor (17), and Erin (14). Matthew graduated from Valley Christian Schools in 2013, and now attends Biola University. Taylor and Erin still attend Valley Christian Schools.
7500 Inspiration Drive | Dublin, CA 94568 | ComeDiscoverVCC.org Copyright 2015 | Valley Christian Center | All rights reserved.
cities
WE REACH
DR. ROGER VALCI | LEAD PASTOR
city–
OUR REACHING INITIATIVES
HOUSE Church FAM ILY M IN IS TR Y
VALLEY CHRISTIA N
VCS
Fa
Celebrate
RECOVERY
it h
• W is
do m • S e
r vi
ce
CityServe O F THE TR I-VAL L EY
cities
WE REACH
THE BROCHURE
IN YOUR HAND IDENTIFIES
SEVEN INITIATIVES SHOWING HOW WE ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION – SEVEN AREAS IN WHICH WE STRIVE TO REACH PEOPLE GOD LOVES IN OUR CITIES.
In his book, Be Our Guest, Theodore Kinni, discloses the secret sauce of the Disney corporation. Going all the way back to Walt Disney himself, Kinni shows how each decision of the Disney organization comes back to a simple three word mission statement: “We create happiness.” Each Disney movie and television show, theme park and cruise line, video game and Broadway show finds its origin and success in these three words. As I read Kinni’s book on how Disney operates its colossal entertainment empire, I could not help but ponder and pray about what three word mission statement I would write for Valley Christian. The chief task of any leader is to choose a course. Like a captain on the seas, someone must choose a destination and then rally the crew to get people there. As soon as I asked myself the question, the answer leapt in my spirit. It was obvious to me, and I hope it is obvious to you. At Valley Christian, “We reach cities.” Mission statements – when done right – are meant to define success and streamline activity. With the limited energy and resources afforded us, we aim to maximize our results by focusing on city-reaching activities. Because of this, you may not find our church configured like many other churches. We aim to reach cities and believe the plan before you will help us accomplish these goals. Rather than focus on services and programs in the church, we focus on people far from God in our cities. As you read through each page, we pray your emotions will bubble up with enthusiasm and say, “This is what church is supposed to be…how do I get involved?”
“AS THE CITY PROSPERS, YOU TOO WILL PROSPER” –JEREMIAH 29:7
city
FOR THEY WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE
WITH FOUNDATIONS,
WHOSE ARCHITECT AND BUILDER IS GOD. – HEBREWS 11:10
There is only one mission of the Church: God plants churches to reach cities.
GOD
s
Storie
I moved to Alameda County two years ago and started visiting churches. After searching and enjoying several, I finally settled on one and became a member in order to be part of the community. There seemed to always be people around, but no one to truly connect with. I remember telling the Lord that I wanted to be part of a church community that looked like the Book of Acts. One Sunday, the Lord prompted me to visit VCC. That week ,Pastor Roger introduced the concept of House Church. It was as if every bell and whistle went off in my spirit. I thought, “This is where I belong.” I have met people I enjoy and they seem to enjoy me. We share meals, laughter, and stories together. We pray and serve, study God’s Word and worship. I have always enjoyed the services, but now I enjoy the people who have become my dear friends. –SHEILA
HOUSE CHURCH OVERVIEW
41 14
HOUSE Church Total HC Groups.
Total new HC Groups added this year.
459
Total number of participants in HC groups.
135
Total number of participants in new HC groups only.
50
Total VCC visitors participating in HC’s.
Many of us have casual relationships with co-workers and friends, BUT FEW OF US HAVE DEEP AND MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS where we can be ourselves with others who love and accept us. Our House Churches are designed for that purpose and so much more… At Valley Christian Center, we foster genuine biblical community and spiritual growth through small groups. Each week we bring together new and existing VCC church-goers, family members, neighbors and friends. We meet in different homes all over the valley to share in the fellowship of a meal, talk about our day together, lift one another up in prayer, study the Word, demonstrate authentic loving kindness to build up those in the body of Christ, and to reach the cities God loves. Church isn’t supposed to be a weekend gathering where we come and go without connecting to others. And it’s definitely not supposed to be a place where we’re constantly on our guard, or have to keep up some perfect “religious image” in order to garner acceptance. OUR HOUSE CHURCHES ARE SAFE PLACES to link arms with others and navigate life’s journeys together.
BE HERE, BE LOVED, BE LONG!
3
Number of after-school outreaches to elementary school kids. (2 in Tri-Valley public schools (Kids Clubs) and 1 @ VCE)
FAMILY MINISTRY OVERVIEW
6
Number of camps and conferences attended by kids/ students
80
Number of committed FamBam volunteers who regularly invest in discipling kids/students
16
Number of students who competed in annual Fine Arts Festival
266
Number of students who attended Wednesday night Youth Service
44
Number of small groups for kids/students
100%
Percentage of kids/students involved in a small group at VCC.
P
ring with Pare
n
ts
artne
PLAY FOR KEEPS
BE INTENTIONAL
FA M ILY MIN ISTR Y VCC | Est. 1962 D
EU
TE
: RONOMY 6
4-
9
Growing fully engaged and maturing followers of Jesus by partnering with families to influence the faith and character of the next generation.
WE DESIRE TO GROW SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY FAMILIES. We support parents by creating a clear spiritual formation pathway that starts in the crib and leads all the way until young adults reach college. We strive to partner with parents in preparing their students for a lifetime of faith in Christ and a love for and commitment to His body. WE CONNECT EVERY CHILD/STUDENT TO A CARING, INTERESTED AND CONSISTENT SMALL GROUP LEADER. VCC is committed to becoming a well-
integrated, multi-generational movement. We strive for real integration…this type of integration is more than simply inviting the children and teens to come to the Sunday morning meeting once a month. We’ve created two Student Ministry groups to better address the needs and challenges of each. We are relational and intentional. It is when men and women invest and involve themselves in the lives of the next generation by teaching, coaching, mentoring and engaging students on a week to week basis. In Family Ministry, this is investment for the long haul. It’s like playing for keeps.
Because what you do over time really does matter in the life of a student.
GOD
s
Storie
Within the past year, I have experienced an unexpected change in how I responded to the world around me. At one point, I was extremely introverted and uncertain about what God wanted to do in my life. I started helping out with KidMin a couple times a month and then I began to go to youth group on Wednesday nights. I began wanting to talk to people besides the friends in my close circle. Eventually, I started getting glimpses from God about what He wanted to do with my life. When I got involved with the church on Team FamBam, mentoring and being mentored, my life began to have a clear plan and purpose. –NATASHA RUBLE VCHS SENIOR
VALLEY C
IAN
Valley Christian Schools provide rigorous pre-K through 12th grade Christian education to the Tri-Valley region Fa of the San Francisco Bay Area. AND, OUR SCHOOLS ce it h r vi • W is do m • S e ARE THE LARGEST OUTREACH MINISTRY OF VALLEY CHRISTIAN CENTER. With our teachers serving as living curricula, our students encounter Christ’s love everyday. We also aim to impact our community and beyond by educating and developing the next generation of self-aware, creative, courageous, and loving young leaders. In nurturing our students’ development, WE SEEK TO FIND CONGRUENCE AND COHESIVE MEANING through our academic programs, complemented by our arts and athletics programs. We aim to excite and captivate students as they discover critical connections between music and mathematics, philosophy and science, theology and the arts, emotion and intellect, teachers and students, and school and church. Our students gain glimpses of what it means to gain wisdom for life so that they can deepen their faith and increase their compassion for the world. We believe that with educational rigor, community engagement, and a sincere pursuit of FAITH, WISDOM, AND SERVICE, every student can and will flourish.
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS OVERVIEW
VCS
761
Total number of VCS students.
39%
Number of students with no church affiliation.
95
Number of churches represented in VCS.
12,238 Number of Community Service hours given by our Middle & High School Students.
GOD
s
Storie
“I felt angry, rejected, and rippedoff. My parents announced their temporary separation. Months dragged on and lies added up. My “perfect” life changed. My dad moved out permanently. We stopped homeschooling and started at VCS. Angry with my dad for selfishly thrusting us into unexpected change, I hardened. At Valley, my Bible teacher, chapel speakers, and new Christian friends showed me God’s Word: “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” I realized God is my unchanging father. I’m so thankful for the past year and a half at Valley. My heart has learned to lean into the messages in the Bible when everything falls apart. I feel accepted and empowered with a source for finding peace.” –MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT
GOD
s
Storie
We slept in my car that night. My two-year old son and I woke up tired, frightened and hungry. We went to Open Heart Kitchen in Dublin to get a hot meal when a woman in a “CityServe” shirt came over to us. I told her our story and that we had no place to sleep. She arranged housing support through CityServe churches for ten days until we could get into Shepherd’s Gate. Once there, I found faith, friends and, can you believe it, a job. I am so thankful to God for all the help we received from CityServe churches! It is more than I ever imagined possible! –TRI-VALLEY RESIDENT
CityServe
140,000+ Hours of service that
OF T HE T RI-VA LLE Y
have come through CityServe since 2008.
CityServe of the Tri-Valley provides many opportunities in our local communities for you to live out your faith and represent Jesus’ compassion for those in need. • CityServe was birthed at Valley Christian Center in 2009 as part of our Worship & Performing Arts Center (WAPAC) building campaign – Vision for our Valley. • CityServe has blossomed from one church in 2009 to twenty partners in service in 2015. • In 2013, CityServe of the Tri-valley became its own independent 501 (c)3. • More than 40,000 volunteer hours were invested in our communities by the CityServe member church volunteers in 2015. • CityServe coordinates resources between the faith-based community, nonprofits, schools, business and governments agencies through bi-monthly Community Meetings. Watch for ways you can help in the CityServe section of our weekly Valley Christian Center communications. Visit cityservetrivalley.org to find current volunteer opportunities, our monthly newsletter, community resources and STORIES OF THE DIFFERENCE WE ARE MAKING .
CITYSERVE OVERVIEW
WHAT BETTER WAY TO REACH OUR CITIES THAN THROUGH SERVING?
20
Number of churches in the TriValley that have joined CityServe.
0employees Number of paid CityServe retains. It’s all volunteers.
175
Number of kids reached through CityBlast (a summer day camp for the Tri-Valley).
20,000 Number of churches worldwide CELEBRATE RECOVERY OVERVIEW
that provide CR.
60%
Number of attendees that come from outside of VCC.
50% Number of attendees from the outside that stay with VCC.
50%
Percentage of attendees that become CR lay ministers. DID YOU KNOW?
• Only 10% of CR attendees come to deal with chemical dependency. • CR is a court-approved re-entry program. • CR at VCC offers the only Women Overcoming Abuse small group in the Tri-Valley.
Celebrate
RECOVERY
Valley Christian Center is a place where the spiritually lost and emotionally damaged will be loved, cared for, and nurtured back to wholeness. Through a dedicated core of capable leaders, operating within a proven time-tested program, a city is being reached. At Celebrate Recovery, PEOPLE BECOME WHOLE AGAIN. People from all walks of life are equiipped with the tools needed to overcome their hurts, hangups, and habits. As people become a part of this loving community, THEY FEEL SAFE to remove their masks. And when masks are removed, transformation begins. Celebrate Recovery does more than bring healing to an individual city, it brings healing to a region. We are part of a network of several local churches offering support meetings that are available seven days a week. It is our priviledge to walk alongside all who enter our doors.
GOD
s
Storie
I believe that recovery is not a program but a continuing process. It is a seed that, once planted, evolves, blossoms and flourishes. I may always be in recovery, learning, and I hope, giving something back to God and to the people who have helped me so very much. I thank God, my family, the Church and the wonderful people at Celebrate Recovery for helping to restore my sanity. I would urge anybody who might find themselves in my situation to come to Celebrate Recovery, if only for one meeting, just to see what it is all about. It has helped me beyond belief. -JOHN
GOD
s
Storie
God has opened a door for reaching our community through an after-school program called Kids Club. We started at John Green Elementary last March with 30 kids; this school year, we already have over 80 kids signed up! With such an interest in a program that teaches biblical values, we are astonished at the wide range of kids from all cultures and faiths who are participating in this program. Join with us in believing that the Gospel will penetrate the homes of these kids through Kids Club, and that we will be able to meet families as they pick up their children and through Kids Club events that we will put on for these kids. -RAMEZ
The Need 12,000 homes in East
The Father’s House is a church plant of Valley Christian Center, reaching the diversified people of East Dublin.
But God has brought them here to meet a Father who loves them with a passion they have not experienced through religion. That is what The Father’s House is doing in East Dublin: LOVING A COMMUNITY that has never experienced the compassion, forgiveness, healing and renewal of God, the Father. Nestled in the heart of East Dublin, we gather each week to bring them ”good news.” Each week we have services on Saturday nights and community outreaches that practically demonstrate God’s love. THE BIBLE NEVER TELLS THEM TO COME TO US, BUT FOR US TO GO THEM. We owe it to them to introduce them to Christ and invite them to receive salvation through the finished work of the cross. In our world today, we have many advisors, coaches and teachers, but what is missing is “fathering.” The Apostle Paul wrote: “You have many guardians in Christ, but do not have many fathers” (1 Corinthians 4:15). The Father’s House exists to demonstrate the compassion and celebration of our Heavenly Father to the diverse people of East Dublin.
THE FATHER’S HOUSE OVERVIEW
People from the far corners of the world have made East Dublin their home. They came to the Bay Area for economic prosperity and a better life than in their homeland. They bring their religions of the East – their idols and burqa’s – to honor the only faith they have ever known.
Dublin are without a local church.
The Early Adopters Dublin political, business and educational leaders worked together to birth The Father’s House at John Green Elementary.
The Leader Pastor Ramez is a Palestinian immigrant born in Ramallah.
The Faith The Father’s House is supported by working individuals who volunteer their time and resources.
Inmate Population of Jails|Prisons we visit:
PRISON MINISTRY OVERVIEW
3,402 Santa Rita Jail in DublIn 1,129 Women’s Federal Prison in Dublin 2,365 Men’s Prison in Tracy 4,260 San Quentin Prison in Marin County
358 Juvenile Justice Center in San Leandro 381
Number of Salvations between January and September 2015
P RI S ON MI NI S T RY
Why do we do Prison Ministry? Because it’s in our backyard and Jesus has called us to go to them. There is a huge population of those on “the inside” that reside in our Tri-Valley area and region. These individuals are greatly loved by God and in need of His hope and our support. How do we reach these people? • Bible studies, chapel services and prayer walks on the yard. • Celebrate Recovery and Cleansing Stream classes. • Mentoring kids at the Juvenile Facility • After Care support once inmates are released. • Voice Outside the Walls for families of inmates. • Pen pals that correspond with Inmates. • Arukah House, a transitional home for those released from prison. • Training for those interested in Prison Ministry.
“I was in prison and you came to me.” –Jesus (Matthew 25:36)
GOD
s Storie ” e inside “from th SAN QUENTIN Pete (serving 2 life sentences) praises God for those who come in and pray with him. He is thankful for some DIRT that he received to help nourish plants he maintains for the Chapel. Ed, who in the midst of chaos and negativity in the prison, held a “Thank You Party” in his cell thanking God for saving him and using him in SQ. SANTA RITA JAIL Teresa from the Max. unit visited Bible studies many times but had not committed to anything …one day walks up and pounds the table saying: “I get it!” Tiara in Max. Unit: waiting for trial and then facing years of prison: “Thank you for coming in to teach and encourage me… I often feel so alone.” D.V.I. MEN’S PRISON “I never knew about Jesus, nobody ever explained this to me. I want to know Him more!”
EACH OF OUR INITIATIVES REFLECTS THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE IN OUR VALLEY. We meet weekly in homes for community | House Church Our schools partner with families in educating their children | Valley Christian Schools We provide after-school support and care for children in public schools | Family Ministry Volunteers serve daily in the non-profits and government agencies of our region | CityServe of the Tri-Valley We provide support and encouragement in life’s struggles and challenges | Celebrate Recovery We provide worship services and recovery programs in our local prisons | Prison Ministry We release those among us to establish a worshiping community where there was none | The Father’s House IN EVERY CITY, THERE ARE PEOPLE GOD CARES ABOUT. We want to ensure that people in our city experience God’s compassion and concern.
cities
WE REACH
7500 Inspiration Drive | Dublin, CA 94568 | ComeDiscoverVCC.org Copyright 2015 | Valley Christian Center | All rights reserved.