Our Building Journey
What was our original motivation and meaning for building? Social
media often says Silicon Valley is the "center of the universe," and
our church's current location is the very center of this "center."
As early as 2004, Pastor Yu received word from God to quickly obtain
this land, which is situated in a beautiful place where His glory
would fill it. After many twists and turns, in July 2005, we finally
purchased this land for $7 million. At that time, the church had
only about 100 people, and the $7 million came almost entirely from
our brothers and sisters' offerings. To use this land in the
industrial zone for church purposes, we began applying for a use
permit. After three rounds of 40-day fasting relay prayers and three
city council public hearings over nearly two years, we finally
obtained the permit. Construction began in April 2007, costing $5
million. From all these challenges and experiences, we see that we
were not at all worthy to obtain this place at 3131 Bowers Avenue,
but He fought for us. When we obey, God displays His mighty power
among us. As long as our church exists, we hope this place will
forever be one that exalts Christ and glorifies God, with no wasted
space. We want more people to come here, to God's house to worship
Him and encounter Him.
It has been exactly 15 years since the official dedication in 2008.
Building Bethel Hall was our original Phase 2 plan, but we waited 15
years, as if we had paused here for 15 years. In 2023, when God's
prompting, leading, and calling led us to restart this Phase 2
project, the church leadership team prayed and sought together, then
willingly obeyed God's leading with one heart to build. God also
gave the church three verses through Pastor Yu:
The first is Romans 9:15-16: "I will have mercy on whom I have
mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." May
God help us break free from our worries and limitations to
experience God's mighty power and unstoppable will.
The second is Haggai 1:8: "Go up to the hills and bring down timber
and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be
honored." May we truly participate in this ministry from our hearts
with love and living hope, paying the price to go up the hills for
timber.
The third is Joshua 18:3: "How long will you wait before you begin
to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your
ancestors, has given you?" May we be alert and diligently follow,
not according to our assessment of whether it's time, but according
to God's timing. God uses physical building to establish the body,
using temporary construction to accomplish eternal building in us.
So today we are not doing something new; we are merely continuing
the good work God has begun, and He will complete it.
Visit the SVCA Church Website to learn more about the Phase 1 building process.
Usage Planning
Our church has three main halls: Bethany, the dining hall Bethlehem
(house of bread), and the yet-to-be-built Bethel (house of God). We
expand horizontally and pass down vertically, like a cross ministry
before God. Facility expansion is not just for larger gathering
spaces, but for the expansion of the entire gospel, kingdom, and
salvation. For the use of this land, we have at least five hopes
(points 3-5 are not goals of Phase 2 building):
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Growth of English ministry. We are not just a Chinese church, but
God's church for all peoples and nations.
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Spiritual refueling station. We hope to open more in-person
"Parkland Training" courses in the future, attracting more vessels
used by God to hold revival meetings, evangelistic conferences,
and various seminars here. We give our five loaves and two fish to
the Lord, letting Him feed and help all who are in need.
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Spiritual nurture and legacy. Cultivating the next generation for
God's family, expanding the "Seth Plan"; enriching youth, adult
Sunday school, and discipleship training.
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Reception center. Receiving God's servants from around the world,
having spiritual fellowship with them. For family members
occasionally weary in ministry fields, this can be a place for
them to rest and share their riches. This also becomes a place
where missionaries and "Parkland Training" graduates can intern
and serve.
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Workers' home. In the Bay Area with such high living costs,
providing affordable housing for ministry co-workers.
