Emmaus Church shares gospel at new location

Sunday, Jan. 7, marked a milestone for Emmaus Church and its congregation as Pastor David Netzorg preached his sermon from the stage of the church’s new location in Oakland. After worshipping for eight years at the Garden Theatre in downtown Winter Garden, the church has secured its own permanent space that will give it plenty of room to grow.

Following Sunday’s service, Netzorg reflected on the day.

“The whole vibe was just excitement, anticipation, joy,” he said. “I’m a passionate person, so it was a big day. … We had so many people come out. There was so much joy. I think overall it was thankfulness to our Lord.”

Netzorg said he is not big on pastoral fanfare, so his first sermon of the new year in the new space was simply a continuation of his series on the Book of Matthew — although he did write a special prayer for the occasion.

Following the service, the congregation went outside for the traditional first-Sunday Picnic at the Pavilion, and adults sat at picnic tables and conversed while the children explored the playground and campus.

“It’s surreal for me,” Netzorg said. “I felt like it was a dream. … You work hard and long for something, and it’s an interesting thing because you beg God to help you help him. It’s a weird thing. … ‘God, please give us a place, please help us to have a place to worship You.’ When He gives you a venue like that, which is the sole purpose of loving Him, well then you’re thankful to Him.

“We want to do life together and support one another,” he said.

Emmaus Church is sharing space with Family Christian School in a facility located near the Oakland Nature Preserve. The campus is a perfect fit — school classrooms become Sunday school rooms on the weekends, and the school’s auditorium becomes the church’s sanctuary. The youth leaders are excited to have a place other than their small apartment to hold meetings with a bunch of teens.

BUILDING UP TO THE BIG DAY

About two-and-one-half years ago, Emmaus started a building campaign when weekly attendance was growing and the church needed more space — especially for the children’s ministry. The original plan was to buy property and build a church, and while the campaign was active, Netzorg was calling churches in a two-mile radius to see if they had any plans to move — in case it would work out better to take over another church space.

He said he actually got a call from a music buddy saying the church space was available, and the 300-seat sanctuary, nine classrooms and outdoor space were a perfect match for Netzorg and his nearly 200-member congregation.

“I think the possibilities that we have for the youth group is big,” he said. “Not having to do things in people’s homes. The availability of different days of the week. We can have a Maundy Thursday service and a Good Friday service. We can have body life during the week, weekends, fall festivals. We may continue to do (some of) those at home. Bible studies will continue at home on Wednesday nights. Small groups still meet at homes.”

At the theater, all the young people up to middle school age gathered in one room for children’s church, and it was difficult to keep multiple conversations and lessons going. In the new space, age groups can be separated and more meaningful conversations can be had.

The building fund will continue, Netzorg said, because he would like to see the church in its own facility someday. The fund is growing because church members have been faithful in their giving. Some have sold baked goods; one woman makes and sells bracelets.

But, for now, this space is the answer to Netzorg’s prayers and he can continue sharing the Word of God.

“It’s getting harder and harder to find biblical truth,” he said. “Everybody’s trying to be a club, everybody’s trying to get a bunch of people in and be cool and hip and wear ripped jeans and have a rock’n’roll show. … We want to impact West Orange with the gospel of Jesus Christ. People are lonely and scared and hurting and confused, living in darkness, and they don’t know God,” Netzorg said. “I was there. I was one of them. I didn’t become a Christian until I was 26.

“I can’t believe that God would use someone like me, but when you look in the Bible you see the people he used were just so messed up,” Netzorg said. “It’s so confirming to me.”