On Sunday, July 19th, We Believe Kingdom Church officially opened its doors to the Bridgeton community, and launch day turned into something bigger than anyone on the team had planned for. What started as months of prayer and preparation became a day of full tables, full seats, and two new members walking away with a decision that will change the rest of their lives.
The Buildup Begins
The momentum actually started building four days earlier. That Thursday, a visiting ministry partnered with WBKC to host a neighborhood open house, a simple invitation for people nearby to come see who the church was before launch day even arrived. The team set out hot dogs, wings, burgers, drinks, and yard games, turning the parking lot into the kind of gathering neighbors actually want to stop for. Two members, Angie and Tim, took things a step further.
They grabbed the church’s yard signs, walked out to the street, and started waving down cars as they passed. Their persistence paid off. Ten cars pulled in that afternoon, and the team got to sit down and talk with every single person inside them. Two of those visitors, Ashley and Nicole, liked what they found enough to come back that Sunday, and by the end of the service, they had made the decision to join the church.
Launch Day Morning Brings a Change of Plans
Launch day morning began early, with the men of the church rolling up their sleeves for setup. Josh Edelen led the charge, coordinating tables, chairs, and equipment for what was originally planned as an outdoor gathering. But the July heat had other plans. As temperatures climbed into sweltering territory, the team made a quick call to move everything inside rather than risk anyone’s comfort or safety. It was a small pivot that ended up working in the church’s favor, keeping the atmosphere cool and focused for the service ahead.
Behind the Scenes
While the men handled setup, the women of the church were just as busy behind the scenes. Courtney, Tracy, and Karcia spent the morning in the basement wrapping and preparing food for the guests who would soon fill the building. Upstairs, Jachelle ran the media booth, making sure sound, slides, and streaming all came together without a hitch. Dozens of other volunteers moved quietly in the background, the kind of work that rarely gets noticed but makes a Sunday like this one possible.
A Service of History and Encouragement
When the service began, Pastor Ken and Shawn shared the story behind We Believe Kingdom Church, walking guests through the vision and the journey that led to this moment. The church also welcomed two ministry partners for words of encouragement: Pastor Michael Byrd of Faith Bible Community Church and Pastor Paul King of Upon This Rock Holiness Church, both of whom spoke life into the room and celebrated the milestone alongside the WBKC family. The worship service closed with a sermon from guest speaker Pastor Clarence Hines of The Church of Adullam, whose message capped off the morning and sent everyone into fellowship with something to carry home.
Fellowship Around the Table
After the final amen, the doors to the basement opened and the meal Courtney, Tracy, and Karcia had prepared all morning was finally served. Guests and members ate together, swapped stories about how they found the church, and lingered long after the plates were empty. For a congregation that had spent months building toward this single day, the fellowship afterward felt like the real celebration.
What This Means for What’s Next
Launch day is behind We Believe Kingdom Church now, but the story is only getting started. Ten cars became two new families. One hot afternoon of setup became a full house. And a single Sunday became the beginning of what the church believes will be years of reaching Bridgeton and the surrounding community. If the buildup and the turnout on launch day are any indication, this is a church with plenty of room still to grow, and plenty of neighbors still to welcome in.
