When Audrey Kanagy became pastor of Ridgeview Mennonite Church, 3723 Ridge Road, Gordonville, a few years ago, she wanted to find ways to share the building, which sits on the ridge between ELANCO and Pequea Valley school districts, with the community.
In 2019, Dave Smucker, associate pastor with Branch Community and director of Branch Network, found himself driving by the church. "(Dave) felt that the Lord spoke to him and said, 'I have something there for you,'" reported Steven Fisher, lead pastor of Branch Community.
On March 15, 2020, Branch Community launched a church at Ridgeview. "(We were just) going into the pandemic," recalled Steven. The first service attracted 120 worshippers, but Branch did not hold another service at the church for four months due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Currently, Branch uses the sanctuary every other Sunday at 6 p.m. "We have some dedicated office space and another room we share," said Steven. On the off weeks, the church meets in homes in groups of 12 to 15.
Kanagy reported that the two churches are working together to renovate the church lobby. "It's a total joint project," she said. "It's not common to have two churches cooperate on that level."
Fisher echoed Kanagy's comments. "(Ridgeview has) rolled out the red carpet for us," he said. "There's a spirit of wanting to empower and help us."
Branch Community has its roots in a prayer meeting Steven's wife, Crystal, started in her parents New Holland basement in 2015. By 2019, the group had grown significantly and began to have a vision of planting a church in the area. Steven and Crystal attended HarvestNet School of Ministry in Ephrata to receive pastoral credentials. Steven believes that Branch Community, which has grown to a core group of about 140, attracts people who are looking to be part of a community where the Holy Spirit is taught and experienced. "People are looking for a more dynamic and more real encounter with God," he said. "People are drawn to that."
Branch Community services follow a format that begins with contemporary worship, includes announcements, and then finishes with a sermon. Preachers are drawn from a pastoral team of seven. The church offers a children's ministry for those age 6 and under.
According to Steven, the model of meeting in homes and at Ridgeview has worked well. "We had this vision of a hybrid between a house church and a more traditional church," he said. "We really value house-to-house, life-on-life, home groups."
More information and a schedule of services may be found at http://www.branchlanc.org.
Branch Network is the parent organization of Branch Community. It is a regional network developing in Lancaster County, but with connections in Uganda and Haiti, where church members are serving long term. Dave is working with businesses, mission organizations, and other churches to mobilize people and resources with a vision to multiply churches. "We have a heart to plant additional churches," said Steven. More information about Branch Network may be found at http://www.branchnet.org.
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