NorthGate History
From Pastor Jon Hasselbeck:
Approximately 10 ½ years ago a dream to plant a campus church at the University at Buffalo came into my heart. One night in prayer I felt the Lord was prompting regarding this church plant near The University at Buffalo. That same evening I was led to the scripture Ezekiel 44:4 which contains the name Northgate.
Since that time I've prayerfully waited on the Lord for the right time to plant this church. In June of 2008 the Lord began to stir my heart again regarding Northgate. Much of this seemed to be the result of The Renovation Project which I was a part of at The Chapel at Cross point. I sensed strongly in my heart that it was time for the Church at Buffalo to do something together to reach that campus. It is important for you to know that the dream is not just to plant a church at the University at Buffalo. A key part of the vision is to do this in partnership with a number of different churches across the region. We are called to birth a local church congregation which will cross denominational and racial lines which have previously kept The Church at Buffalo apart. In The Gospel of John chapter 17:21 Jesus indicates that the world will believe when we The Church becomes one. Therefore, the way we plant this church is just as important to me as planting the church. Jesus prayed ”that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me “( John 17:21 NKJV).
I began to speak to others about this dream to others. It seemed as if the Lord opened door after door for churches to work together to fulfill this vision. We have now met with over 14 churches from our region who have expressed a strong willingness and excitement regarding partnering together with Northgate to reach the University at Buffalo and the surrounding community. Partner churches include: Christian Missionary Alliance, Baptist, Assembly of God, Nondenominational, Wesleyan, and Elim Churches. The churches represented also include congregations which are primarily African American, Caucasian and Hispanic. The Senior Pastors from these churches have already met together to talk about partnership in planting Northgate Community Church. I believe this is a historical venture which will change the spiritual atmosphere of Western New York. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for the brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). As a result of the formation of Northgate we have already seen a number of Senior Pastors develop relationships and cross denominational lines as never seen before.
I have also begun to meet with a number of Para church and campus ministries who are already doing great work at the University at Buffalo. Campus ministries which I have already met with include Intervarsity, Basic, and International Students Incorporated. I have assured these ministries that the goal of Northgate is to partner together with them helping to reach the lost and integrating new Christians into the church. Northgate Community Church will send members to serve these campus ministries and help them to accomplish the vision God has already put in their heart. We’re not coming onto campus to compete with other ministries but rather to serve them. We’re all about seeing the Body of Christ come together to reach every man, woman and child with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We have developed a core team of people who share these values and are meeting weekly.
In regards to necessary legal action to establish Northgate Community Church I have met with attorney Richard Murphy and begun the process of forming a religious corporation. We have also opened a bank account which allows us to receive funds in the name of Northgate Community Church.
Vision Launching
On Sunday, October 19, 2008 the vision for Northgate Community Church was publicly released at The Tabernacle in Orchard Park. Pastor Tommy Reid endorsed Northgate publicly, followed by a video message from Pastor Jerry Gillis of The Chapel at Crosspoint. Jon Hasselbeck was then given the opportunity to preach a message which incorporated the vision of Northgate Community Church. The response of the church was overwhelming in their joy of seeing the Body of Christ coming together to reach the lost.
We will develop a team of 70-120 people over the next 11 months. This core group will meet on Saturday nights to develop a sense of community vision and purpose. During the startup we hope to develop small groups and have all of the core team members involved in a small group. At the time the core team reaches approximately 100 people we plan on developing public services in the AMC 8 Movie Theaters at the corner of Sweet Home and Maple Rd. Our goal is to have the core team invite friends and people they have been reaching out to. We would like this to happen during or before September of 2009 with a goal of inviting new students coming into the school year next fall.