What was the motivation and purpose for building our church here in the first place? Social media often claims Silicon Valley to be the “center of the universe”, where our church is located can be seen as the center of center. Back in 2004, the Lord gave word to Pastor Yu, urging us to obtain this “promised land” which is situated in a beautiful place. God also promised that His glory will fill this place. After much travailing we purchased the property at $7 million dollars in July 2005; at that time, we only had 100 plus members but most of the funds were contributed by our brothers and sisters. Because this place is located in an industrial zone, we had to obtain a conditional use permit (CUP) before we could operate here as a church. It took almost two years to obtain it, during which we went through three rounds of 40-day/24-hour fasting prayer campaign, and three public hearings at City Hall. Afterwards we began remodeling work in April 2007, which cost another $5 million dollars. In this whole process God led us through many spiritual battles, He fought for us. We know we’re unworthy of this land, yet He showed us His mighty work when we obeyed Him. We pray that as long as our church is here, 3131 Bowers Avenue will be a place where Christ is exalted and God is glorified. We do not want any part of this place to stay unused, we desire to see more people come here to worship and meet with God in His house.

It has been 15 years since we first dedicated the church building, at that time Bethel Hall was planned as a stage two project. We have now waited and rested here for 15 years. At the beginning of this year, the Lord moved and called us to begin building again. The leaders of our church prayed, sought the Lord together and determined that it is time for us to obey the Lord and start building again in one accord. The Lord gave our church three Scripture verses through Pastor Yu to confirm the calling:

First, Romans 9:15, …”I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” May God help us to overcome our fears and limitations and to experience His mighty work again. Second, Haggai 1:8, Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. Let us partake in this work with love and a living hope, pay the price to “go to the mountains and bring the wood”. Third, Joshua 18:3, … “How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you? Let us be alert to follow the Lord diligently, He sets the time instead of us.

Through constructing the physical building God wants to build up the Body of Christ; and through work in the temporal, He wants to establish work for the eternal. Therefore, we are not starting something new, but continuing the good work that God has already begun in us, and He will accomplish His work.