Welcome to Vista Grande Community Church. "Vista Grande" is Spanish for “Grand View,” and that’s the purpose of this section—to give you an overview of who we are and what we are about. To put it simply, the purpose of our life together is to help each other learn to Love God, Love Others and Serve the World in the name and way of God's Son, Jesus Christ. The acronym VISTA, which stands for Vocation, Integration, Service, Transformation and Adoration, keeps us focused on the five practices or habits that we believe God has called us to engage in in order to be effective in Loving God, Loving Others and Serving the World. The information in this section clarifies and is organized around these five practices which encompass all of our ministries and activities. As you read, please know that we are genuinely interested in you and look forward to helping you find your place in the VGCC family.Vocation
Whether building a house for a family in need in Mexico, providing medical training for technicians in Africa, ministering to disabled children in Vietnam, repairing homes damaged by hurricane Katrina, or providing a meal and prayer for families at the Ronald Mc Donald House, the VGCC family has a strong sense of mission. We consider it our vocation-our divine calling-to carry on the ministry of Jesus in word and work. Jesus laid out his vocational calling clearly in the gospel of Luke: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor," (Luke. 4:18,19).
As individuals and a community, it is our deep desire to flesh out this sense of calling in our daily lives. Additionally, we offer multiple mission opportunities throughout the year both local and global. Check the weekly church bulletin or contact the church office to join us on our next vocational adventure.
Integration
In the gospel of John Jesus declared: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another," (Jn. 14:35). At VGCC we are committed to community, to learning to love each other and, to cooperating with the Spirit of God as he works to integrate us into a "unified whole" that authentically reflects his love and truth to our neighbors and to the nations. Small groups are the heartbeat of our life together and our strategy for being intentional about developing community. Everyone who calls VGCC home is encouraged to be a part of a small group. These groups take various forms and meet at a variety of times and locations for the purpose of fellowship, study, prayer, service and lots of fun. We have home groups, men's and women's accountability groups as well as groups for various ages. There is always room for one more, and we would love to help you find your place in the VGCC community.
Service
Whatever your gifts, talents or interests, VGCC has a place of meaningful service for you. The vast majority of ministry that takes place in and through VGCC is done by dedicated volunteers using their God-given gifts and abilities to honor him by serving others. Here are just a few of the service opportunities for you to explore. Children and Youth workers, Audio, Video and Computer techs, Singers and Musicians, Actors & Artists, Event Organizers, Food Prep workers, Craftsmen and women, Hospitality team members, Special Event set-up/clean-up, Graphic Designers Accountants/Bookkeepers, Teachers, Fitness and Sports enthusiasts, Small Group hosts and leaders.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms," (1Peter 4:10)
Transformation
In a globally connected, media saturated world, the pressure to conform on young and old alike is enormous. In his letter to the early Christians living in Rome, the apostle Paul gave this challenge: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will," (Rom. 12:2). The VGCC family is committed to helping each other mature into the people that God has created and called us to be, so that we do not simply conform to the world's standards. This transforming process is aided by our weekly worship services, as well as through our Sunday morning and mid-week classes, Bible studies, and services for all ages with the goal of helping all of us attain maturity as followers of Christ. To find the class or study that's right for you or your children, check out the weekly Sunday morning bulletin and the ministry specific sections of this website.
Adoration
As a community, VGCC's ultimate purpose is to glorify God the Father-to express our adoration for him-through lives lived in loving devotion to his son, Jesus Christ by the power of his Holy Spirit. He is worthy of our adoration-our worship-first of all because we believe that the God revealed to us in the Bible is the sovereign creator of all things-including men and women who were created in his image for unique fellowship with him.Secondly, we worship God because when we were separated from him because of our sin-our rebellion against his good purposes for us-he reconciled us back to himself through the gift of his son, Jesus Christ and filled us with his Holy Spirit that we might no longer live for ourselves but for him that died for us and was raised again, (2Corithians 5:15). Sunday mornings is our primary time of corporate worship as we celebrate our life together in Christ through music, prayer, communion, fellowship and messages based on the Biblical story that encourage us and equip us to live lives that truly honor God.