The idea of a church doing things differently became rooted in me (Jon) during my teenage years. As a teen, I sat next to visitors and noticed they struggled to tell the difference between a hymnal and a Bible. I often wondered if the ideas and concepts coming from the pulpit were communicated in a way someone new to church could grasp. I longed for a church where the life-changing message of the gospel could be understood by everyone.
I also witnessed individuals who would "play church”— going through the motions on Sunday morning but living messy and broken lives during the week. I longed for a church where people would be challenged to follow after Christ while being transparent in the struggle.
God's answer to my teenage vision came when our first gathering as Cocalico Community Chapel was held at the Comfort Inn on Sunday, March 27, 1992. Five months later, we were offered a small church building in Fivepointville, which suited our needs for the next 5 years.
As we outgrew the Chapel, God provided a larger facility in Gehman's Mennonite School. This would become our home for the next 18 1/2 years. Teams of people set up and tore down each week, but this gracious partnership allowed our church to expand through a season of adding staff, a second service, and various new ministries. We experienced people coming to faith, being baptized, and taking steps to authentically grow in their faith.
In the spring of 2014, a church building became available. As our leadership sensed God’s leading, and with the support of our members, our current facility was purchased. After eight months of renovations, we were able to move in on June 7, 2015. Since we were no longer meeting in a small chapel, it was time to change our name to Cocalico Community Church.
God has provided the right place for each season of our church’s life. Our current location has offered additional space and opportunities to introduce people to the message of the gospel and fulfill our mission to be a place for people who are searching for something more to discover a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.