How did Valleybrook get started?

Do we really need another church in the area?

Aren't there a lot of church plants in the area?

Why the name Valleybrook Community Church?

Is Valleybrook part of a denomination?

Can I bring my kids?

Do I have to be religious to come?

Frequently Asked Questions

How would you describe Valleybrook?

Valleybrook is a place where those who are seeking God will be warmly welcomed whether they have gone to church all their lives or haven't gone in years. It is a place where one will grow in their knowledge of the Bible, their relationship with God, and their relationship with others. It is a place where new and significant friendships will be formed and nurtured. It is a place where God will be enjoyed, people will be enjoyed, and church will be enjoyable. It is a place where people will discover all God meant for them to be -- a place where people will come to meet God, grow in that relationship, and go out and make a difference for Him.  (Top)

How did Valleybrook get started?
Actually God had us in mind from before the beginning of time (Eph 1:11), but let's look at things on a less cosmic level. Several years ago God started prompting the hearts of the leaders at First Baptist Church of Geneva to plant a new church in the area. Around the same time, He also started prompting the heart of Pastor Brian Smith to come back from a 10-year pastorate in Wisconsin to his hometown area to start a new church. After interviewing 21 other candidates, and after much prayer and dialogue, First Baptist Church of Geneva called him to plant a new church. The Smith family moved in March of 2002 back to Batavia. Since then, God has been bringing together a great bunch of people to form Valleybrook.  (Top)

Do we really need another church in the area?
Great question. The answer is "absolutely." Most people are aware of where Delnor Hospital is located (Randall and Keslinger in Geneva), so we will use it as a landmark. Within a 10 mile radius of Delnor, it is estimated that there are around 360,000 people (and growing). National statistics tell us that around 65% of the population are not plugged into a church. This means, within a 10 mile radius of Delnor, there are 234,000 people who need to be in a church. Yes, we need another good church in the area!  (Top)

Aren't there a lot of church plants in the area?
Yes, and we are thrilled when we hear of good, churches coming into the area. We should not look at them as competition, but as partners in the gospel. Approximately 3,750 churches close each year in the USA (which is 72 per week) while approximately 1,350 successful churches are planted each year in the USA giving us a deficit total loss of 2,400 churches per year, 200 churches per month and 6.6 churches per day. Let's imagine an impossible scenario. Imagine that over night, 100 great church plants sprung up in the Fox Valley. Furthermore, imagine that all of them grew to about 250 people within a year. The net effect would be that the church population would increase by less than 7%. So you see that there is no need to look at other church plants as competition or a threat.   (Top)

Why the name Valleybrook Community Church?
In Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd leads us, His sheep, through the valley of the shadow of death so we fear no evil, and He leads us beside still waters. In the New Testament, Jesus promises us living water. The name Valleybrook captures some of these images of being led and fed by the Good Shepherd. Also, the word "community" expresses the idea that everyone in the community is welcome and that we want to have a positive impact on the community around us.  (Top)

Is Valleybrook part of a Denomination?
Yes, We are part of the Baptist General Conference. The BGC is a denomination of about 950 churches in America (and the Caribbean Islands) and with missions in 17 other nations. The National Ministry Center is located in Arlington Heights, IL. The BGC describes themselves this way. "It is a fellowship of churches whose theology is biblically evangelical; whose character is multiethnic; whose spirit is positive and affirmative; whose purpose is to fulfill the Great Commission ( Matt. 28:18-20) through evangelism, discipleship and church planting; and whose people celebrate openness and freedom in the context of Christ's Lordship." (Check out the BGC website)  (Top)

Can I bring my kids?
Absolutely. One of our core values is this: Jesus made children a priority, so do we. We want your kids to love Jesus and love Valleybrook.  (Top)

Do I have to be religious to come?
No—actually, we would prefer that you were just an ordinary sinner who knows you need God. No one needs to pretend at Valleybrook. Jesus did not come for those who think they don't need a Savior, but for those who know they do (see Luke 5:32). The first step to a true relationship with God is to acknowledge that we have fallen short of His standard and that we need Him.  (Top)