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History
The Venice Bible Church was founded in 1959, and has had a long rich history
of ministry in the Venice area. Visit the History
Photo Gallery.
1990 to 2000
In September of 1991 Adam Lacy came to VBC from Haluwasa
Christian Camp and Outdoor Center on southern New Jersey to serve as Pastor of
Children’s Ministries. Adam was a graduate of Word of Life Bible Institute and
attended Philadelphia College of the Bible. His background included ministry in
the areas of camping, puppets, clowning, photography, and teaching children. His
alter-ego, Uncle Bud, was an unforgettable addition to the Children’s
Ministry.
In July of 1992 Bob Crotts transitioned from the American
Missionary Fellowship and was hired as the Administrative Pastor. His duties
included both those of Adult Ministries and business/administrative duties.
In January of 1993 Monica Babcock joined the staff as the
Interim Music Director. Clint Shondelmyer became the third Music Pastor of
Venice Bible Church in July of 1993. Clint came to us from Pennsylvania where he
earned degrees in both Music and Bible at Philadelphia College of the Bible. He
had previously served as the Music Director/Worship Leader and Associate Pastor
at Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Indiana, PA. He had a great deal of
experience in vocal and instrumental ensembles. Clint added Scripture readings
before, and interwoven between, the songs of the Sunday Worship services.
In February 1996 Pastor Jon resigned to take a missions
position in Guatemala with Central American Mission. During the next year the
pulpit was filled with various guest speakers and Elders, as the other staff
"covered the bases" after Pastor Jon left. The Senior Pastor position
was filled in February of 1997 by Tony Plummer. Tony had formerly served in
ministry as Youth Pastor and more recently as Associate Pastor at FairCreek
Church in Fairborn, Ohio. Tony was a graduate of Cedarville University with a
degree in Bible.
In September 1997 the Elders agreed that Venice Bible
Church should transition to a Cell Church. Cell Groups are gatherings of five to
fifteen people that meet in homes for fellowship, worship, prayer, and
application of God’s Word. We believe it is vital for each person to be
involved in a small group to grow in community with God and each other. It is in
these small groups that lives are touched and needs are met. As an outgrowth of
this change, Cell ministry duties became a priority for Bob Crotts as the Pastor
of Adult Ministries and Rich Hart as Youth Pastor.
Pastor Tony formed a vision committee to pray, study, and
share with the body what the vision and mission of Venice Bible Church should
be. Seeking His Supremacy For His Glory was determined to be the vision
of our church. How that is accomplished here is found in our mission:
Celebration, Classes and Cells. Our Celebration times are the times of corporate
worship we share on Sunday mornings. Classes refers to the Bible Institute,
meeting on Sunday morning for training and equipping. The Cells are the small
group meetings that take place during the week in homes.
Anthony Reynolds joined the staff as the Director of
Middle School Youth Ministry in 1998, after returning from intensive
discipleship and mentoring by Tom Nelson at Denton Bible Church in Texas.
After Pastor Tony had been at VBC for two years, it became
necessary to add a third Celebration service on Sunday morning. Improvements
were made to the audio/visual ministry including moving the soundroom and adding
a computer projection system.
John Nutter came to VBC in 1981. As a musician, God had
called him to serve in VBC’s music ministry and developed in him a heart for
worship. In October of 2000 John became a staff member after three years of lay
leadership in the music ministry.
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