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Eastlake's Story
For the past several years God has been blessing Parkway House of Prayer in Vinton, Virginia. Under the leadership of Pastor Steve Parker during the 1990's God blessed and the church grew numerically and spiritually. Their attendance went from 40 to roughly 200. Also during this time they built a beautiful new faciltiy. In 2000 God called Pastor Steve to a new ministry in Indiana and brought Pastor Jeff Keaton to Parkway. God has continued to bless Parkway with new converts and unbelievable growth in just about every area. Currently the church runs a little over 500 in Sunday morning worship. They also have started a high quality Christian Acadamy that currently enrolls more than 239 students.
In 2002 God gave the church through the leadership of Pastor Jeff a vision through 2010 to raise up 1000 new disciples, 100 full-time Christian workers and 10 new church plants. Knowing that this was a vision only God could perform, they simply trusted God and began working to see this accomplished. God has amazed us all. He is literally bringing to pass this vision before our eyes. Without pushing or shoving our way God has opened and is continuing to open doors.
One of those doors opened back in January 2005 when after determing that Smith Mountain Lake was a prime area for a church plant, a pastor of more than 40 years from SML, approached Parkway and offered his facility for the location of a new church plant. He had intended to retire from the church but felt led to give it to Parkway. Sensing this was the leadership of God to start a new church, Parkway began praying about timing and staff. After much prayer Pastors Troy Keaton and Mark Dubbeld were called and consented to come to plant ELCC.
Pastors Troy and Mark and their families moved to Virginia in the summer of 2005 and worked on staff at Parkway planning and organizing a team of people to help them launch ELCC early in 2006.
ELCC will serve Bedford and Franklin counties. Although we are in the "Bible Belt" both of these counties have more than 60% of their residents that do not have a church home. We are interested in bringing many of these unchurched into the Kingdom of God. With Smith Mountain Lake's growth and development both Bedford and Franklin Counties are experiencing a growth boom. Many predict they could nearly double in population in the next several years. We thank God for the opportunity he is giving us to help fulfill the vision he gave to Parkway House of Prayer.
ELCC opened its doors on February 5th, 2006 for its grand opening service. We are committed to being a Great Commission church. We believe the future is full of unbelievable things as we trust in God. Why don't you plan on joining us and be a part of something great God is doing!
2 YEAR UPDATE
Eastlake Community Church Grows Up!
Two years ago in February Parkway planted a daughter church in the Smith Mountain Lake area. Eastlake Community Church is now officially on her own. The Parkway Church board recently approved a new constitution and bylaws for Eastlake and they elected their first set of board members, etc. Please keep this thriving young church in your prayers as they prepare to move into a building program over the next twelve months. To God be the Glory, great things He has done!
Latest Update: EastLake just signed a contract to purchase 10 acres about 1/4 mile from their current location. They are moving full speed ahead with plans to build a new church.
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