ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
Venture Church
Venture Church
Sumter, South Carolina
“Thank you! The AGTrust Matching Funds and the continued support of The Church Multiplication Network gave us a good start and keep us going at Venture Church! Thank you a million times over!"
For South Carolina natives Craig and Angie Bagwell, church planting wasn't initially on their radar. But over time and with open hearts for God and His plan, their transition from the work force to full-time ministry began. After Craig worked 10 years in the field of education, he and Angie accepted their first pastoral staff position.
Go Serve Love is the mission statement for Venture Church in Sumter, South Carolina.
As the Holy Spirit led them, the vision to birth a new church in Angie's hometown of Sumter, South Carolina, came into focus. After diligently praying about and learning what it would take to plant a church, Craig and Angie trained with The Church Multiplication Network (CMN). They launched Venture Church in Sumter, a city of about 40,000 population, in September 2018. Sumter County has a population of 106,000, with about 45,000 lost/unchurched people.
"We would not be where we are today without the AGTrust Matching Funds," Pastor Craig says, "which helped provide the equipment and supplies needed."
The church averages 80-plus people in attendance on Sundays and during the past year 24 people have accepted Christ and 26 were water baptized.
During the past year, 24 people have accepted Christ at Venture Church in Sumter, South Carolina, and 26 have been water baptized.
Creating a culture of loving and giving from its beginning, Venture Church is making a profound impact on the community. Sumter is home to many military personnel and families at the Shaw Air Force Base, and Venture Church reaches out to them. The congregation has also linked arms with organizations like United Ministries, The By Name Project, Caring Hearts Foster Care Closet, and the Sumter YMCA, in efforts to better serve the community.
Venture Church is reaching out to the community with the love of Christ by partnering with organizations like By Name Project.
"Thank you, AGTrust and CMN partners! We could not have planted Venture Church without your investment, support and prayers," Pastor Craig says. "You are helping us make a difference for the kingdom of God in Sumter."
THANK YOU for helping AGTrust and CMN to plant and equip healthy churches like Venture Church in every community of America. Your gifts help church plants with startup expenses through the AGTrust Matching Funds, in partnership with The Church Multiplication Network. A total of 550 church plants across America are reaching people for Christ today because of your support.
