Adventure Christian Church’s rapid growth and next-decade focus
Adventure Christian Church has experienced rapid growth in its first 11 years, moving from humble beginnings to a large facility in Roseville, California. Over the last two years, the church has slowed its pace to listen to God, clarify vision and values, and ensure outreach remains central.
- The church grew quickly, becoming one of the youngest congregations averaging more than 2,000 in attendance.
- Leaders are using a slower season to strengthen structure, staff, and systems while evaluating every ministry with outreach as the first objective.
- Adventure emphasizes evangelism and compassionate local outreach, including partnerships to house and feed the homeless.
By Kent Fillinger
From humble beginnings to a high-visibility campus
Adventure Christian Church has ridden an amazing wave during its first 11 years as a church. It has experienced a meteoric rise from a card table in front of a Wal-Mart with free booklets on “How to Drug-Proof Your Kids” to a two-year-old, 107,700-square-foot facility with a worship center seating 3,000. Adventure Christian has high visibility; it is situated on 41 acres on a hill in the fast-growing suburb of Roseville, near the growing city of Sacramento.
Adventure is the youngest congregation on the megachurch list to average more than 2,000 in attendance. Its growth the first nine years was fast and furious. Senior pastor Rick Stedman tells “The Amazing Story of Adventure” on the church’s Web site; his article chronicles the path to the church’s present location and the undercurrent of how God was at work to provide the best location possible.
A season to pause, listen, and strengthen
Over the last two years, the growth and pace have slowed so Adventure has paused to catch its breath, listen to God, and survey the situation to see where God wants to position it during this next decade of ministry.
The Adventure staff is actively clarifying and sharpening their vision and values. Every ministry is being evaluated to ensure that outreach is the first objective.
The church is taking some time to allow structure, staff, and systems to mature and catch up with the robust growth. They are focusing on maintaining the health of their ministry and discerning the course for the future.
Strengths: evangelism and benevolent compassion
Lead executive pastor Tim Dally said the church’s three primary strengths include evangelism, a desire to transform people to transform culture, and benevolent compassion. Dally said each weekend’s Bible message climaxes with an invitation to confess Christ. Anytime a group gathers an effort is made to present the gospel and to extend an invitation for Christ.
Benevolent compassion has been a strong element of the church’s DNA from the beginning. Dally said Adventure is “a church of doers.” This attitude is reflected in the church’s consistent efforts and sensitivity to local outreach opportunities. For example, Adventure works with other area churches to regularly house and feed the homeless onsite. Recently the church collected sleeping bags for the homeless as one of many projects to make a difference in its community.
Adventure is discussing a host of possibilities for the future, but is waiting on God to ensure the church and its staff have the proper gear in place to enjoy the ride.
Adventure Christian Church, Roseville, California
FAST FACTS:
- Senior Pastor: Rick Stedman
- Attendance: 4,890
- Launched: 1994
- Size Rank: 9
- Web site: www.adventurechristian.org
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