New Life: Bella Vista church changes name to reflect purpose, people

Members of Bella Vista Christian Church started the new year with a new life. As of Friday, the church name changed to New Life Christian Church.

New Life is a nondenominational, independent Christian church -- as was its predecessor, explained Joe Williams, the church pastor. That won't change.

Neither will the church's mission. "Our vision is to expand and share the Bible, the Word of God, and apply it to people's lives," explained Lee McClanathan, a 13-year member and former pastor of the church.

"The church did not need a new mission, just a new sense of mission," Williams said. "We are armed with the greatest message in the world. The gospel tells the story of our new life in Christ. And 'New Life' shouts that.

"The name reflects our purpose, not our location," he added. "It represents the people rather than the area."

The new church logo also illustrates the purpose. An arrow made of dots represents movement and points to a new life. The dots represent the church members moving together, "looking ahead and not behind," Williams said.

"God cares more about where you're going than where you've been," he continued. "It might not be perfect, but we press on ahead."

He quoted a Biblical theme that has been guiding church members to the new identity:

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

For this reason, I kneel before the Father ...

-- Ephesians 12-14

DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFT

Williams also found inspiration for the church's new name in the changing demographics of Northwest Arkansas and Bella Vista. He referred to studies that show the population growth in the region will continue for a number of years.

"Many people make a major change when they move here," Williams said. "They are doing something good with their life. They are bettering themselves. They want something different."

The citizenry of Bella Vista has also changed -- from the stereotyped retirement community to a home for young professionals with families.

"Even those who are retired and move here are doing something new, as well," Williams said.

"God called the new people to make a bold decision," he continued. "It shows that the Lord is bigger than all of us and that he's with us through time -- past, present and future."

Four generations are equally represented in New Life's congregation, and membership has grown by about 200 people in the past year. The church recorded 620 people in worship on Dec. 20, with 375 the average attendance in October 2014, Williams reported.

To accommodate the growth, New Life will add a new service to the Sunday lineup. Services begin at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Church members will serve lunch after the 11:30 a.m. service this Sunday.

"We're about to the breaking point," Williams noted -- mainly in the parking lot. The church arranged for overflow parking in the lot at Riordan Hall across the street. A bus operates every Sunday to shuttle worshipers to the church door. The pastor hopes the new service will alleviate the traffic jam.

"We trust God and try to be proactive in our growth," he said, pondering a far-in-the-future expansion into a multi-site church across the region.

"We're doing something special here," Williams continued. "I don't know the end result, but God has got a plan."

SOME OLD, SOME NEW

"Forty-two years ago, only one small church existed in Bella Vista," reads the history of Bella Vista Christian Church, provided by the church. Winston Carter, an elder at First Christian Church in Carthage, Mo., owned property in Bella Vista and started organizing the church. The church first met in Riordan Hall, with Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Mo., supplying preachers each week. On Charter Sunday, Sept. 29, 1974, 34 people moved forward as charter members. The church presented the first vacation Bible school in Bella Vista.

About a year later, a grant of land from Cooper Communities was matched with money for construction, raised through stewardship and special giving for the building. Since then, four construction projects have expanded the church, and a gift allowed the church to pay off the debts on the building.

The successful children's, youth and mission programs -- along with many others -- will continue, Williams said.

McClanathan noted the church sends groups to Haiti, Cambodia and other mission fields. He also likes the Life Groups in which members meet weekly at various locations to talk about the Sunday message and otherwise connect.

"The church seeks to have something for everybody," McClanathan said. "We have a desire to attract all ages -- children, students, young families and adults."

Bobby Hutcheson, a member with his family for more than eight years, likes the diversity of age range among members, the feeling of acceptance and the connection with others.

"My first impression of the church? It feels like home," Williams said. "There's just something about the DNA of this church. It's friendly. You are not going to escape without somebody shaking your hand and telling you hello."

Church members have worked toward the new identity for about two years, and most responses have been positive. The new name and logo were unveiled in November at a church chili cookoff and were met with applause and laughter, joy and excitement, Williams said.

Hutcheson doesn't expect to see much change in the church, he said.

"Pastor Joe says we've not changed what we do, but renewed what we do," Hutcheson said. "It highlights our purpose, gives us a fresh view. It's not putting new paint on an old barn."

Hutcheson said he feels positive about the change, thinking it will allow the church to move forward.

"I can be real skeptical," he admitted. "I tried to shoot holes into it, but I couldn't.

"(The new name) is a reminder about who we are and what we are about and where we're going," Hutcheson continued. "And that others can go, too.

"It's a great place to be a part of. I am looking forward to what God has in store for us in the future."

NAN Religion on 01/02/2016