About Impact
We are a non-denominational Christian Church in Elk Grove, California! That's it. Plain and simple. A body of REAL people, RELEVANT in their approach, RADICAL in their faith, and RELATIONAL in their philosophy! Come check out this non-denominational Sacramento-area church that preaches the word with PASSION. Anyone who likes to have fun but wants to grow in their faith will love our church. In theology we are biblically conservative but in methodology, our approach is out on the edge!
Our church has always used cutting-edge techniques over the years. We are continually looking for new ways to help people REACH UP to God, REACH IN to the church in service and REACH OUT to the community with the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. There’s something for everyone at Impact.
Impact Community Church is a church plant of STADIA: New Church Strategies planted in March of 2000. Marc Bigelow is the director of STADIA which is a national ministry based out of Northern California. Impact continues its partnership with Stadia by hosting training along with our staff who help assess potential new church planters. Additionally, we have planted churches in California and hundreds internationally.
OUR LEADER
Barry and Tammy Smith moved to Elk Grove, California from Indianapolis, Indiana on September 1, 1999. Barry had been a youth pastor for about 10 years prior to leading IMPACT. He has a "colorful" past, having run from God during high school and college.
The idea for IMPACT Community Church began while Barry was attending Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO. At that time, he began to envision a PLACE where thousands upon thousands of lives would be changed by the heart of God.
While at Kingsway Christian Church in Indianapolis, Barry prayed daily for two years about leading a church. While attending a graduate class at Cincinnati Christian University, God confirmed His decision and plans were put in place. Nine months later, they packed up their bags and moved to California to plant a church in Elk Grove, California.
The Smiths had their first baby, Max, on March 11, 2000. God has a great sense of timing considering that Impact had its grand opening on March 12, 2000! Two 'births' in two days. AWESOME!
Just two years later God blessed the Smiths with a daughter, Taryn. And the church has been blessed with exciting growth starting with just 6 people in a living room to reaching almost 800 each weekend in its four services. Barry feels that a huge part of God’s blessings at Impact are because of the risks he’s taken and the great staff & leaders serving at Impact.
OUR MISSION & VISION
Impact Community Church exists to see "Changed Lives By Reaching UP, IN & OUT! That’s it — plain and simple. With a mission to see lives changed — the cycle is simple. Reach UP to God. Reach IN to the church. Reach OUT to others. Once we Reach OUT – we hope to persuade people to Reach UP and start the cycle again!
We are to worship God with our entire lives (heart, mind, soul and body). Jesus said in Matthew that he came to serve, not to be served. So, we have a foundation at Impact of Worship and Service (or ministry). It’s what our church and our vision are based on.
Jesus traveled around asking for people to change. He asked for people to change their attitude, change their beliefs, change their behavior, change their future...and that took guts. Following Christ means a host of changes...some are not comfortable — but all of the them are doable. So — we exist to meet YOU where you are...and point you to Jesus. He will then patiently move you to where you should be as you Reach UP to Him, IN to the church, and OUT to others.
OUR CORE VALUES
We Believe That...
- Lost people matter to God and should matter to us by our lifestyle, attitude and additional church plants.
- Excellence and creativity honor God and relevance connects people to the church.
- Acceptance through loving relationships should permeate the church by purposely noticing and caring for those around you.
- Life change happens best in (small) IMPACT groups, and participation is understood with membership and encouraged for all attenders.
- Empowered, gift-based leadership enables people to do ministry effectively.
- Full devotion to Christ is NORMAL by passionately committing to worship, prayer, serving, giving, Bible reading, discipleship and accountability.
- The Bible is absolutely true, being perfect, complete and relevant to our lives.
OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
- We believe in one God, three persons--Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- We believe that sin separates us from God.
- We believe that Jesus is God's only Son and that his death, burial, and resurrection are sufficient for the forgiveness of sin.
- We believe salvation is through faith in Christ, not by works but by grace.
- We believe the Bible is perfect and relevant for man.
- We believe in a literal heaven and hell.
- We believe that Christians should boldly live out their faith in worship to God, making disciples of all people everywhere.
- We believe that it is normal for believers to be fully devoted; committing to Bible reading, prayer, sharing their faith, and serving others!
OUR PHILOSOPHY
REAL - We MUST be real in our faith. What good does it do to put on a “happy” face and know that your life is a wreck? Without bringing those around you down, you've got to have a place to vent. A place to cry. A place to let your guard down. A place where you're safe to be REAL. It's all about being authentic and genuine in your faith and your struggles.
RELEVANT - We truly believe that there is a generation out there crying for relevance. The church has had its head buried in the sand for about 50 years. It seems that most churches across the country are still following the patterns of the 1950's revivals. This is the 21st Century... it's time we reach people where they are... CONNECT with them and point them to Jesus. After all, Jesus is the most relevant communicator ever...and His words are still the truth.
RADICAL - We believe that the church should be radical. Being radical is very subjective. A comedian or a famous guest speaker are pretty radical for a church. But so is a 24-hour prayer vigil led by teenagers. Radical is all about being extreme in your faith. From the fun to the sacrifice. we want to be a radical church and take radical steps to produce radical Christians that IMPACT their sphere of influence with the love of God and the good news of His Son's saving blood on the cross.
RELATIONAL - We believe that relationships are what KEEP people plugged into the church. After somebody comes in contact with the 'body' of Christ, there MUST be a relationship formed. That's why, for IMPACT members, participation in IMPACT GROUPS is understood without apology. It is vital for you to grow in your faith and have the support that you NEED! That will never happen for those who choose to just attend on Sunday mornings and expect the “pastor” to visit them when they're in the hospital. We are all MINISTERS and should meet each other's needs.
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