It was way back in 1999 that we first drew up the plans for a new 40-acre campus on North Santa Fe in Vista. The original plan included a sanctuary that would seat 2,500 to 3,000. Then a last minute lawsuit brought on by some of the neighbors to block the project brought everything to a standstill.

It was a blessing in disguise. In the meantime, we discovered a new way of doing church that altered North Coast and literally changed the way large church is done across America. Without the ability to move forward with the relocation project, we were forced to find alternative ways to handle the ever increasing number of people God was sending our way. So we kept starting new venues in addition to the already existing Video Cafe (Traditions, The Edge, Country Gospel, Encore, Encore 4 Singles, Last Call, The Canvas, Early Bird Cafe). Then, when we ran out of space on the Melrose campus, we started adding new off-site campuses (Madison, Fallbrook, Green Oak Ranch and South Carlsbad).

In the process, we began to reach even a wider cross-section of our community – many people who would have never come to a one-size-fits-all ministry – and we helped launch a nationwide movement of multi-site churches.

I believe the delay was God's plan. As we scrambled to find a temporary solution to our space crunch, God was slowly revealing His vision for North Coast Church. Contrary to what many of us thought in 1999, North Santa Fe was not supposed to be the site for our new church. Instead, it is supposed to be the hub for a new kind of ministry: one that will enable us to reach far beyond the confines of Vista and well beyond what any one-size-fits-all sanctuary would have ever done.

Make no mistake; we need this new ministry hub. Melrose is simply too small to accommodate those who come now. And there's no way it can handle those God has called us to reach in the future. If we weren’t building – they couldn’t come!

In addition, our off-site campuses and ministries need a state-of-the-art-hub from which our dynamic ministry can flow. If the home base doesn't remain strong, vibrant and cutting edge, it won't be long until the campuses are dull and dying.

The way we see it, our situation is not much different than that faced by the Israelites long ago. They were left with a choice. They could stay on the safe side of the Jordan River where life was easy and comfortable, or they could step out and make the hard sacrifices necessary to cross the Jordan and take hold of God's best― their promised land. Sadly, many chose the low-risk "this will do approach." They never walked in God's best. They never knew what it was to be fully used by God. 


We're crossing over. Will you join us?

  


Pastor Larry                                      Pastor Chris