In the spirit of Paul's letters to the early church, we want to encourage and strengthen each other in the faith, as he wrote in the letter to Philemon, "When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that all the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love."
In celebration of 70 years of The Village Church, we invite members and friends of the congregation to share tributes, memories, and testimonials reflecting on the life and ministry of our church community. We welcome stories of meaningful moments, cherished friendships, faith journeys, and the ways The Village Church has touched your life over the years. Your reflections will help honor our shared history and celebrate God's faithfulness through seven decades of ministry together.
Sample submissions of 250 words or fewer have been posted for reference. Please email your submission to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Prompts for Testimonies and Tributes for The Village Church
- What is your very first memory of attending The Village Church?
- What hopes or prayers do you have for the Village Church over the next 75 years?
- What made you decide to become part of the Village Church family?
- What is one of your favorite traditions or annual events at the Village Church, and why is it meaningful to you?
- Share a memory of friendship or support you experienced through the congregation at the Village Church.
- How has being part of this church shaped your spiritual journey or impacted your faith? How has Village Church helped you grow in your faith?
- What was Village Church like when you first attended, compared to now? Do you remember any major milestones (building expansions, leadership changes, special events)
Samples
What first drew you to The Village Church, and what do you remember about those early visits?
When Jay Shirley, the youth leader from our previous church, moved to The Village Church to lead the youth ministry there, our middle school-aged son was very eager to continue attending his youth group. At the time, we didn't know much about The Village Church, though I did have a friend who attended and spoke highly of it. We were not actively looking for a new church home, but we wanted to encourage our son's involvement in youth ministry, so we decided to visit.
As it happened, that same Sunday was also the first Sunday for the church's new pastor, Pastor Jack Baca. From the moment we arrived, we felt warmly welcomed. There was a genuine excitement surrounding the new pastor, and our son was thrilled to reconnect with his friends in the youth group. Our younger son was also warmly received into the Children's Ministry.
While I don't remember many specific details about that first service, I do remember leaving feeling drawn to come back. It did not take long for us to realize we had found a church community where we truly felt at home. The strong biblical teaching, meaningful opportunities to serve, and vibrant youth ministry all played an important role in our family's experience.
Looking back, I believe God clearly guided us to this church, and I am deeply grateful for the relationships, growth, and opportunities The Village Church has provided our family over the years.
How has the Village Church helped strengthen, encourage, or deepen your faith, spiritual confidence, or trust in God?
The Village Church has played a significant role in my personal faith journey by providing a place where I feel spiritually encouraged, supported, and challenged to grow. Through the messages, worship, and community, I've learned how to deepen my relationship with God and to trust Jesus more in my everyday life.
One of the biggest ways the church has impacted me is through the people. Being surrounded by others who genuinely care, pray for one another, and live out their faith has helped me stay grounded and motivated in my own walk with Christ. I've grown through participation in discipleship programs such as Kingdom Academy, which has helped me better understand what "Following Jesus for Life" really means and has provided me with practical ways of living out this goal. Women's Bible Study has also provided rich resources and relationships that help me in my walk with Jesus.
Overall, The Village Church has helped me see that faith is more than just attending church — it's about building a daily relationship with God, living with purpose, and serving and loving others well. I'm very grateful for the opportunities The Village Church has provided for me to learn, serve, and grow in my faith.
In what ways do you hope to see The Village Church grow and flourish in the future?
My hope and prayer for Village Church over the next 70 years is that it would remain committed to developing followers of Christ while continuing to serve each new generation with wisdom, humility, and courage. I pray that the church:
- Continues to be a place where people genuinely encounter God's grace, truth, and love.
- Raises up generations of faithful leaders, pastors, and servants who actively follow Jesus and demonstrate love and compassion in their lives.
- Stays united through changing times, holding firmly to its core mission of "Following Jesus for Life," while adapting thoughtfully to the needs of the community.
- Becomes increasingly known not just for its gatherings, but for its impact — a church that cares for each other, supports those in need, mentors young people, and brings love and hope to our hurting world.
- Remains a welcoming spiritual home where people from every background can find belonging, healing, purpose, and lifelong friendships.
- Keeps worship vibrant, Scripture central, prayer constant, and service outward focused.
- Models reconciliation, generosity, and love in a world that often feels divided and isolated.
- Leaves a legacy not measured primarily by buildings or programs, but by transformed lives and enduring faith.
Most of all, I would hope that 70 years from now, people could still say that Village Church faithfully loves God, loves people, and points others toward Jesus in every season of their lives.
