There was a time when North Pointe Church prayed over an 11-acre site, hoping that a door would open for the land to become the location for the church’s first permanent home.
That was in 2008.
That prayer wasn’t answered.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Instead, another property — three times the size of the parcel the church prayed over — became available in 2015.
And, it’s in essentially the same spot, just facing the other direction, said North Pointe’s Pastor Steve Wells.
The incredible thing was that the church had been hoping for at least 10 acres to plant its permanent home, but then decided that a 3-acre site was probably more feasible, given its finances.
When it learned about the 33-acre property where it’s planning to build, it simply was seeking to buy a few acres, Wells said.
The owner told the church it could buy a few acres, or all 33, for the same price.
Wells saw the hand of God in that transaction.
“God’s word says he’ll give you exceedingly more than you ever asked, dreamed or imagined — He’s given us exceedingly more than we could have ever asked, dreamed or imagined,” Wells said.
On April 10, the church celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction on a 12,000-square-foot structure that will serve as the church’s first permanent worship center.
The site is off County Line Road and Amanda Park Drive, in Lutz.
Plans for the first phase include a 12,000-plus-square-foot worship center, with gathering areas, administrative offices and spacious natural places on the property. The goal is to open the new sanctuary by late December or early January.
Wells is excited about the church finally having a home of its own.
(Photos courtesy of North Pointe Church)
North Pointe had its first meeting in 2004 in the auditorium of Wharton High School, as a church planted by Belmont Church of Temple Terrace. The following year, North Pointe became its own church, Wells said.
In 2008, it moved from Wharton to a warehouse space in Land O’ Lakes, and then it moved again, in 2015, to Sunlake High School in Land O’ Lakes.
The church has grown from 40 members to more than 300, Wells said. It draws members from as far west as Odessa, as far east as Zephyrhills, as far north as San Antonio and as far south as Thonotosassa.
Because its members come from numerous communities, the church was delighted when it found a location that’s so centrally located, Wells said.
North Pointe aims to be a church that helps people deal with life’s practical challenges, and encourages them to grow spiritually.
“A church is a place for you to find hope and freedom in Christ,” Wells said. “But, what we realize is that people aren’t looking for hope and freedom in Christ — people are looking for help and healing. And so, what we want to be able to do is offer programs in our community that offer help and healing, in hopes of being able to introduce them to hope and freedom.
“People face impossible situations all of the time. Our Bible teaches us, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ which means, the impossible is possible through Christ.
The church aims to help people with everything from marriage counseling, to weight loss, to addiction recovery, to budgeting.
“People want to learn to quit smoking, or stop drinking. Countless families in our church are going through foster and adoption processes,” he said. “We want to be an advocate of foster care and adoptive care.”
Eventually, the church wants to build a second structure that will house its various programs aimed at helping people address practical challenges in life.
“We all struggle with stuff. We believe that when you add God to the equation, the practical problems that you’re facing really become something that you can navigate,” Wells said.
Besides providing worship and other church services, Wells envisions the church as being a place that will attract a variety of other uses, such as live theatre productions, awards ceremonies and corporate events.
“It’s going to be a picture-perfect place to get married,” Wells added.
The pastor is excited by the possibilities that having a permanent church home presents.
“Buildings don’t change lives. It’s what goes on inside,” Wells said.
“Although this (groundbreaking) is a great celebration, it’s not a finish line.”
“Really, it’s a starting line moment,” Wells said.
North Pointe Church meets on Sundays, at 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m., at Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O Lakes. For more information, visit NorthPointeFl.org.
Published April 13, 2016
