"We're pregnant."
It was with those words that Pastor John Thomas announced to the elders and the congregation over a year ago his intention of planting a church in Winnemucca.
Thomas, the pastor at Grass Valley Baptist Church, has had the desire for a church plant for nearly two years. The idea came to fruition a little over a year ago when he sat down with the elder board and told them they were "pregnant" with a daughter church.
Thomas' desire to plant a church dovetailed with the aspirations of a young pastoral intern at GVBC, Niko Tarr. Thomas approached Tarr in December 2012 and discussed the possibility of planting a daughter church. Not long after, Tarr was offered - and accepted - the position of worship pastor for the new church, D3.
"D3 stands for disciples making disciples who make disciples," Thomas said. "Our focus is on three primary things: spreading the gospel, reaching the community and mission. Everything we do will flow from these three things."
The new church aims to fill a void in Winnemucca, Thomas said, and that's the lack of outreach to the majority of county residents. By his estimates, only 7-10 percent of the county population attends a gospel-preaching church. D3 is on mission to reach the younger population as well as those who do not attend church, feel alienated by church or have not found a home church, Thomas said.
"We're not satisfied until everyone in Winnemucca knows the gospel of Jesus Christ," he noted.
But what will help bridge the gap between D3 members and the target demographic? That's where Tarr comes in. Tarr brings the music; a blend of what he calls Christian-Indie-Alternative with some modern contemporary thrown in. The worship team will sing covers from Christian bands like Ghost Ship, Citizens and Rend Collective Experiment, just to name a few.
"Worship is important because it's the opening of our hearts. It's not just music, it's more of a connection," Tarr said. "I want to bring a new aspect of music to Winnemucca and for people to be excited about what God is doing in our city."
When he first accepted the worship pastor position, Tarr had the heart and the passion but was without a band. But series of events resulted in the addition of half a dozen people to create the group he needed.
"People came out of the woodwork. Every one has their own special talent," he said.
Tarr's position as worship pastor and small groups pastor is funded through the North American Mission Board, Nevada Baptist Convention and GVBC. The three entities have also provided financial backing to D3.
Tarr has been working in the official capacity of worship pastor since March. His work, combined with the efforts of a dozen "root" members of D3, has resulted in the actual realization of the church. D3 is set to open its doors for a preview service on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m.
"Lay your expectations aside," Tarr said. "This is not like anything we've seen before."
The church is not structured like a typical modern day church. Instead, Thomas and Tarr have taken D3 back to biblical basics. There is no Sunday school but there is D3 Kids Praise and childcare. There is no youth group, but there is passionate worship and community through small groups, Tarr said.
Some may have concerns about D3 not having a permanent pastor but, Thomas noted, "the church is not about the pastor. The church is about the people of God and his mission."
Thomas said D3 was born to be a mission-giving church. As such, 20 percent of its income will go to local and global missions. Part of those funds will support house churches for an additional church plant in Salt Lake City through the Christ Fellowship Church. The intent is to reach the unreached; the younger generation and those who are far from God both locally and regionally, Thomas said.
Additional D3 Church services are scheduled for Saturday, March 15 and Saturday, April 12, likely at 5 p.m. (check the D3 Facebook page for updates and informationor the website at www.weared3.com). The church will join with GVBC at the West Hall of the Winnemucca Convention Center for the Easter Sunday service and will officially launch into weekly services thereafter. The church is located at 403 Hanson St., next to Curves.[[In-content Ad]]
