For most people, movie theaters only have one purpose: a place to enjoy the latest films. For Pastor John and Shannon Velsor, the AMC Showplace Theater in Coon Rapids is going to become something more in 2011. It will become the site of their new church.
The vision for Northstar Community Church started around a year ago. After being a pastor and traveling speaker for 10 years, John found his interest in ministry moving toward church planting, a direction he had never considered before. As he and Shannon pondered and prayed over what this potential church plant might look like, they began to get excited.
“I was driving down Highway 10 one day, and saw variations of ‘Northstar’ on a number of different signs,” John explained. “It stood out to me, especially since I realized the cultural significance of the North Star to Minnesota.
“As I continued to think about it, I remembered that the Magi followed a star to reach the baby Jesus. A star led the men closer to Christ. That’s the kind of church we want to be. We want to be that navigational tool that leads people closer to God and help them walk through life.”
After the name and the vision for the church became clear, John and Shannon researched the potential places to start Northstar. They finally landed on the AMC movie theater in Coon Rapids. The diverse demographics of Coon Rapids fit them well since the Velsors had recently been on staff at a culturally diverse church in Chicago. The predominant number of young families also suited them, since they are a thirty-something couple raising their almost two-year-old son, Aiden.
The Velsors stated that they chose a movie theater because it provides a safe, neutral area for un-churched people to learn about God. It also reminds Christians that church services aren’t about a building, but about the people gathered together. John explained, “We don’t want to limit church to a particular building. We want to think outside the box.”
The idea of holding church in a movie theater isn’t new to them. In fact, the Velsors’ friends, Tory and Elizabeth Farina, are pastors of High Point Church, a church plant that has been meeting at the AMC Showplace Theater in Inver Grove Heights for the past few years.
The official launch date for Northstar Community Church is February 13, 2011. Everyone who attends that day will receive a free bag of popcorn. “We do not feel like we are going to be another replica in the area, but rather something new, innovative, and relevant to those who live here.”
Pastor John and Shannon will start “sneak preview” services three weeks prior to that date. Their family and the 39 members they’ve recruited for their launch team will use these services as their opportunity to learn the behind-the-scenes operations for their services.
If you’re interested in coming, you can find more information about Northstar at northstarcommunity.org, or if that’s difficult to remember, simply go to www.thechurchthatsmellslikepopcorn.com.
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I love it!!! Great job!!
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