ABC Church Story

The arrival of the 1980's brought with it a season of challenge for the Austin Bluffs Community Church Family. Despite financial pressure and membership challenges, this fellowship of believers held fast to their dream and welcomed a young new pastor and his family. In 1988, John and Cheri Pauls arrived full of energy and ideas. The young couple breathed new life into the ABC family and their leadership served as a catalyst for rapid transformation and growth. Fueled by their numerical growth, God began to provide funding for the new vision.

While in prayer early in 1992, God opened John's eyes to a clear purpose for ABC. John's vision began with an old rope and plank bridge spanning a chasm both deep and wide. The ropes of the bridge were frayed and the planks were worn and rotted. Some of the planks had even worked loose and fallen into the chasm below - a picture of danger. In the distance, coming into view, he began to see the silhouettes of two people making their way across the bridge. As the first man, a believer, led the second man, a seeker, he could see the tension on the ropes and knew that the bridge was not safe and the two men making their way across were frightened.

Then came the second picture - that of an old expansion bridge. Its metal arches stretched high into the clouds, the large timbers which formed the road offered a jostling ride, and the thin spaces between the timbers were wide enough to remind travelers of the consequences of mal-navigation.

One by one the scenes unfolded. Like a PowerPoint presentation, each slide with a new and different bridge. The progression was obvious, each new bridge noticeably stronger, built with greater sophistication. Finally the chasm was spanned by a multi-lane freeway that barely resembled a bridge. The bridge was strong, secure and safe, the type where travelers barely recognized they are crossing a bridge.

This vision of safe and smooth passage for seekers to God gave birth to the ABC family maxim, "A Bridge Church." This new revelation of purpose changed the members of the ABC family from the inside out. From their celebration meetings to the facilities themselves, the ABC family began to explore ways to make their church a safe place - a bridge - for seekers.

Fall 2001 brought a new season of hope and promise to the ABC family as they moved into a new facility. Miracle after miracle proved God's blessing on the growing family at ABC and they entered the new millennium full of life and hope.

Now, with a new facility and clearly defined, God-given vision, the future is shining for the ABC family.