New Season, New Location

The season our church has been in is one of bitter sweetness. On one hand, we are embarking on a new chapter in the life of Storehouse McAllen and praying that God would do bigger things in and through our church. The sweetness of something new always lends itself to the wonderful works of God. Then, on the other hand, a new season means that something is coming to an end. The final punctuation mark at the end of a chapter. 

In the next two weeks, after five and a half years, Storehouse McAllen is moving out of the McAllen Creative Incubator and headed to Valley Community Church’s building. And though we’ve been communicating ongoingly with our congregation, this may seem as something new for you – the reader. 

Before I begin with the details of our new location and time, let me first invite you, for a moment, to look back at all that God has done in and through our church at the McAllen Creative Incubator. 

The Gospel Proclaimed

If you’re familiar with our beloved McAllen, then you know that the Incubator was originally the old McAllen Public Library. It was first opened in 1950 and served not only as a public library, but as a memorial for McAllen citizens who fought and died in World War II. Further, many remember the old public library as the place to be when growing up! 

When we first moved to the Incubator, the smell of used books that were shelved on the daily throughout the decades flooded our minds; memories of the days without the internet and study rooms filled our hearts; and though many of us are now adults, the dreaded third floor where no one was allowed still remained an unspoken rule. 

And yet, this is the building that the Lord called and led us. In what was McAllen’s public library, the gospel was sung, prayed, and proclaimed. If that’s not enough, our contract included the Old Church Winery building. The Old Church Winery was originally a church in the 1940’s and when we began holding special services, classes, and meetings, we learned that the gospel had not been proclaimed in that building in over 50 years. 

In short, our time at the McAllen Incubator and Old Church Winery lent itself to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully and without hindrance. We praise God for the time given to us to preach and teach the beauty of Jesus in the heart of McAllen. 

The Gospel Practiced 

In addition to the heralding of the gospel, the Lord Jesus was gracious, good, and kind to allow us to see the work of the gospel affect the lives of people who didn’t know Jesus.

In our time at the Incubator and Winery, we saw dozens of baptisms of new believers, the start of friendships with our roommates at the Incubator allowed gospel conversations and partnerships to be developed on the occasions of so many different events ranging from the Art Walk to the Irish Arts Festival to annual concerts for children and parents. 

It brings tears to my eyes knowing that the Lord allowed us to be a part of the lives of so many different people and at the same time sharing and practicing the gospel with them in word, service, and relationship. 

As we “earned our bones” in the community through ordinary faithfulness, our partnerships extended beyond the walls of the Incubator where we developed a good reputation with local businesses in our neighborhood – so much so that when some of them heard that we were moving, they asked how they could help and support us! Can you believe that? People who don’t know the Lord, have heard the gospel, and love our church family were willing to help us with whatever resources they could pull to serve us. 

These conversations warmed my heart because it’s so easy to get lost in the thick of ministry that one can lose sight of the work God has done through relationships.

The Gospel Advanced

And now comes the mixture of sadness, eagerness, and anticipation. As our contract came to an end at the Incubator, our staff team had a few things to consider. For instance, we needed to answer the simple question: where are we going? We evaluated a few options and came to the conclusion that we were either going to look at moving into a new building or lease space from another church.

Ultimately, we decided that our second option was going to be the best decision, practically and financially. By God’s grace, we had developed a few friendships with other churches in our city and so began the conversation with Valley Community Church, a church planted in the late 1970’s and committed to the proclamation of the gospel. After prayer, consideration, and many conversations with the staff team and their leadership, we decided to move forward.

Therefore, as of Sunday, November 6th we will be having services at 3801 N. Col. Rowe Blvd at 4:00 p.m. 

In this new season, the Lord is allowing us to not only have a new home, but one where we get to continue to proclaim the gospel and champion the mission of another church that is doing the same! The gospel will be heralded in many ways and our prayer is that more people would come to know and live like Jesus as a result. 

Additionally, we’re not leaving central McAllen either! The Lord made a way for us to find a new office space two blocks south of the Incubator (403 N. Main Street #2). Therefore, not only will we continue the work of discipleship, mission, and evangelism in central McAllen, we also have a space for workshops, training, small gatherings, and counseling for our church family. 

Final Thoughts

As excited as we are about this new season and as gracious as Valley Community Church has been, the reality is that this is still just another building. A building where the gospel will be proclaimed to the gathering of the saints so that as we scatter, we would continue to make disciples who come to know and live like Jesus.

Our location may be a different address. Our building, for the first time in our history is an actual church building, will look different. Our service time is new. However, our mission remains the same: making disciples of Jesus through the proclamation of the gospel, life in community, and by equipping the saints in the heart of McAllen.

Will you pray for our church as we move into this new season? Will you join us on mission in McAllen so that we would continue to see God work through ordinary faithfulness and see people come to know and live like Jesus? 

While it has been bitter-sweet having to let go of the McAllen Incubator, the work and privilege of advancing the gospel in McAllen has not come to an end therefore, we are eager to see God move in ways that we can’t even imagine – all of this, for His glory and our good. 

Pastor Marco.