LA MIRADA/WHITTIER, CA (ANS) -- Whittier Area Community Church (WACC), has been a fast growing church. With their church motto being “Following God+Loving People” they have been united for one purpose, reaching others to Christ by setting an example within themselves, but in their community.

Dollar amount of proposed offering given by church leadership

“My father and my uncle were the ones that led me to Christ when I was young and I always had a concern for the next generation.” Bill Ankerberg, WACC Pastor shared with ASSIST News Service. “When I came here 14 years ago, the college kids weren’t staying or hanging around. We will never see them again and it always grieved my heart. We’ve done a lot to change that to make [the church] into a family church; to make this next generation followers of Christ.”

On October 25, 2,000+ people gathered at the Chase Gymnasium at Biola University as they joined together for a purpose: to begin the completion of the campus project, to belong to the neighborhood and reach out, and believe that God is faithful in completing the work in people’s lives through the church.

The event opened up with La Habra High School Drum line accompanying

Gift of seedlings given to congregation as they pledged to give for building fund

the church’s worship band to worship songs with images of the construction and events that Whittier Area Community Church has hosted in the past. A skit of 4 cars reminding them of the goal and sacrifices people have made parking wise for the expanding vision of the growing church. They also featured their own music ensemble Praise Kids and The Solid Rock singers.

As a special speaker, Dr. Jerry Sheveland, President Converge Worldwide (BGC), spoke to the congregation and encouraged them to walk by faith based on Hebrews 11. He spoke of the sacrifices that they have done that not only will they enjoy their fruits, but generations to come will also partake in them. He commended them for their stepping out by faith to allow God to fulfill His plan in the people’s lives by taking part in this vision.

The church is currently facing the issue of having one entrance, inadequate parking, full worship services and no additional spaces for classes. According to WACC, they are expecting to finish the campus project which includes three new entrances, traffic light on Colima Road, adding more parking spaces, adding their underground utility systems in anticipation of their new Worship Center and a plaza that will connect their current Multipurpose Building to the new worship center by 2010.

Even through the course of the expansion, the church is known for doing community outreaches called Serve Weekend, to reach out to the local community in projects and acts of service. They are also engaged in global outreach in 25 countries and also reached out in Malawi where the congregation took on a massive fundraising project to build a hospital in 2006.

Being water conscious and eco friendly, landscaping at WACC will contain 300 native California trees, plus shrubs and other plantings.

Church worship band along with La Habra High School Drum Line

This construction has created approximately 170 jobs over the course of the project.

The church has grown about 40% in attendance since 2000. Pastor Bill Ankerberg, said, “I don’t care about attracting people that are transfers from other churches, that is not what I’m about. I’m about attracting people that are facing a godless eternity. Having a hope in this world and coming to know Jesus. That is what I want to be part of and my passion.”

As a gift and reminder of their commitment toward the goal, people received a small seedling tree to plant at home, which they gave 10 times the amount of trees that they used for the construction. Church leaders have committed to donate $1,248,932 toward the building fund and to encourage the congregation that it’s a church family effort. The event ended with lunch for the congregation. Anyone interested in knowing the progress and how to help and be part of this growing ministry, visit them on the web at www.wacc.net.

Note: Raul and Karen Gonzalez can be contacted at rgphotodesign@yahoo.com