Bringing christ & people together
"While the past has been incredible, I believe our future is even brighter"
When I came to Midland Valley Community as Lead Pastor, I brought with me a God sized vision for our church. MVC has been an amazing congregation down through the years. Countless lives have been impacted by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the various ministries of what I believe is the most exciting church in all the world. While the past has been incredible, I believe our future is even brighter. Our dreams must be greater than our memories! I've often quoted Mark Batterson, who said, "In every dream journey there comes a moment when you have to quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. You have to go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention." I believe the time is NOW...for Midland Valley Community to move forward in faith. Our campus expansion, our dream of reaching more and more families will become God's reality on this hillside in the days to come. Please prayerfully consider what God would have you do in regard to funding this dream. You cannot put a price tag on a soul, and you cannot out-give God. Don't dare miss this opportunity to be part of Great Commission fulfillment. Remember, it's not equal giving, it's equal sacrifice. Everyone can participate in this Capital Stewardship Campaign that will enable Midland Valley Community to continue to "Bring Christ & People Together!"
Pastor David A. Gallimore
Lead Pastor
Pastor David A. Gallimore
Lead Pastor
COMPLETE FORWARD IN FAITH 3-YEAR COMMITMENT CARD
Not Equal Gifts…But Equal Sacrifice
Midland Valley Community's family testimonies
The Wiggins'
The Kirkland's
The White's
"I want to be part of god's work and invite you to join!"
The best is yet to come. It’s not just a cliché. After 26 1/2 years of ministry here at Midland Valley, I still believe in an extraordinary future. Over these years…five pastors, from 15.5 to 83 acres, a daycare and school, church name change, Family Ministries Center, from a double-wide trailer to “The Chapel” for our teens, charter bus(es), KidsWay, counseling center, exploding sports ministry, pavilion, bus barn, playgrounds, raised my kids…and most importantly countless salvations and baptisms. God is still doing amazing things at MVC and we're just barely scratching the surface. Any time we have ever stepped out in faith, He has responded with "abundantly more than we could ask or imagine” (Eph 3:20). I’ve got stories!! As we continue the mission of “Bringing Christ & People Together,” my prayer echoes that of Moses leading the Israelites, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (Ex.33:15, NIV). When I think of our 85 year church history, I’m reminded of what those who went before us did to help get us to this moment. In another 85 years, I hope those who come behind us see this season as another defining moment in the history of MVC. I want to be a part of God’s work and invite you to join! If God is with us—and we know He is— without a doubt, the best is yet to come!
Pastor Mike McAdory
Executive and Worship Pastor
Pastor Mike McAdory
Executive and Worship Pastor
85 year summary at MVC
In August of 1938 a series of revival services were started in Langley, South Carolina by Rev. E.N. Gunter. The first services were held in a rented tent. The Georgia District Superintendent was generous enough to lend Rev. Gunter $15.00 to rent a tent.
With seven charter members, Rev. W. Roy Stewart accepted the call to be the first pastor. They worshipped in the tent until a storm destroyed it. Rev. Stewart led the congregation in building a new structure approximately a half block off Highway 421.
In 1949, Rev. Harold M. Liner accepted a call to pastor Langley Calvary. The church experienced growth especially since many families were moving into the area to work for the large DuPont Company. The congregation outgrew its location, and land was purchased on the corner of 4th Street and Highway 421.
Moving on to 1987, Rev. Dwight M. Gunter, II came to pastor. Rev. Gunter is the grandson of the minister, Rev. E.N. Gunter, who organized our church. It was during Rev. Gunter’s ministry that fourteen acres was purchased on Jefferson Davis Highway. The sanctuary and Family Life Center were built and the church relocated to the present site in January 1991. Following the move, the church was renamed Midland Valley First Church of the Nazarene.
With seven charter members, Rev. W. Roy Stewart accepted the call to be the first pastor. They worshipped in the tent until a storm destroyed it. Rev. Stewart led the congregation in building a new structure approximately a half block off Highway 421.
In 1949, Rev. Harold M. Liner accepted a call to pastor Langley Calvary. The church experienced growth especially since many families were moving into the area to work for the large DuPont Company. The congregation outgrew its location, and land was purchased on the corner of 4th Street and Highway 421.
Moving on to 1987, Rev. Dwight M. Gunter, II came to pastor. Rev. Gunter is the grandson of the minister, Rev. E.N. Gunter, who organized our church. It was during Rev. Gunter’s ministry that fourteen acres was purchased on Jefferson Davis Highway. The sanctuary and Family Life Center were built and the church relocated to the present site in January 1991. Following the move, the church was renamed Midland Valley First Church of the Nazarene.
On May 1, 2000, Rev. Scott Ostendorf arrived as our new senior pastor. His wife, Vicky, was hired as the new Administrator at Midland Valley Children’s Learning Center. Under his leadership the church acquired an additional sixty acres of land and the teen facility and Family Ministries Center were built.
Rev. Kyle Poole came as our pastor in 2010. During his leadership, our athletic field and pavilion were built, parking was increased, and a stage was built on the end of the gym.
This is a short glimpse of 85 years of steps of faith, vision, obedience, and Spirit-led ministry by 20 different pastors.
STEPS OF FAITH
Our hope is that every member and family will participate in Bringing Christ and People Together.
3 YEAR COMMITMENT GOAL LEVELS
Each of these stewardship goals involves three years of giving over and above tithe, missions and other offerings.
Each of these stewardship goals involves three years of giving over and above tithe, missions and other offerings.
CHALLENGE GOAL $1,000,000 What we can do when compared to other churches of similar size and circumstances.
VICTORY GOAL $2,000,000 What we can do with genuine sacrifice from every one of us.
MIRACLE GOAL $3,000,000 What God can do with genuine sacrifice from every one of us.
Forward in Faith Capital Campaign (total of $3 million to build all projects debt free)
Challenge Goal $1 million—Ball Fields Victory Goal
$2 million—FUSE/MVCA Expansion Miracle Goal
$3 million—Welcome Center/Foyer
how should I respond
Pray: Prayer is the most important step you will take in preparation for your response to our Forward in Faith campaign.
Discuss: Husbands and wives should discuss and pray about this matter and seek God's guidance together. We encourage that children and teens be included and commit some of their own earnings. Singles may want to discuss the matter with a close friend.
Tithe: God teaches, deserves and honors the giving of tithes (first tenth) and offerings. Tithing precedes offerings.
Decide in Faith: Your decision to give, and how much to give, is between you and the Lord. Make your pledge reasonable, yet one of sacrifice that stretches your faith and trusts God's ability to meet your needs. Decide how much God wants you to commit and give during the next three years.
Complete Commitment Card: The Commitment Card gives you a concrete way to act on your decision, while informing the church of your commitment. Should unforeseen circumstances arise in your life, you may alter this commitment. However, our prayer and faith is that God will bless you so that you will fulfill the commitment He has led you to make.
Give in Creative Ways: Ask God to bring things to your mind that might be sold, transferred, or liquidated to help make our dream, God's reality!
Join us in Prayer: "Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20)
Move Forward in Faith: Trust in God to supply your need and be an active part of what God is doing at MVC.