An Update from Village Church in Buffalo, NY
Jeremy Hazelton | Village Church
The last couple of years have been difficult for everyone, and the Village Church community was not immune from so many of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Like most churches in WNY, we had to scramble to facilitate worship services utilizing AV technology and internet workarounds in an effort to keep things moving forward. We asked our volunteers and small group leaders to move online and host zoom meetings. We also tried a host of things to help folks feel connected to God and to one another, and to stay engaged in the mission.
When the pandemic began, Village Church was still meeting in rented space. Since our start in 2011, we have been portable or semi-portable, while following God's leading to serve Elmwood Village, Allentown, and the Westside of Buffalo. Due to the terms of our lease, we continued to pay rent on an empty room. While this was frustrating, God was faithful. The church stayed engaged with online services, small group participation increased (as schedules were suddenly opened up), and even the financial support of the church didn't waiver. In fact, we were able to help support several folks who experienced difficulty during that time. Perhaps the most obvious provision of God, though, in the midst of the pandemic, was leading us to a permanent space of our own.
In the summer of 2021, still in the middle of the pandemic restrictions and challenges, Village Church purchased a church building and house in Elmwood Village. To be honest, I wasn't sure this was ever going to be a possibility for our church, in part because of our commitment to the neighborhood and the availability/affordability of a suitable space. But God had other plans. When the church building went on the market, we found it quickly. One of our members actually lives across the street! We had an offer accepted within days. Our church worked to raise some capital for improvements and down payments, and several of our founding church partners provided financial assistance to make this dream a reality. While we recognize that buildings are not the end-all-be-all of ministry, this tool is a tremendous blessing for our congregation. The blood, sweat, and tears we have poured into renovations have helped bind us together and renew our commitment as a church for the City of Buffalo.
I am so grateful for the partnership of The Chapel in this effort, and the larger partnership of the Church of WNY in reaching those far from God. Village Church plans to call this corner of the Elmwood Village home for a long time in order to see that many men, women, and children find and grow in their relationship with Christ in this space.
