How it all started...
Woodridge Community Church was founded in December 1988 under the leadership of Pastor Dave and Brenda Mobley. The fellowship’s first official meeting was about 20 people on the back porch of a Germantown house.
As the fledgling group began to grow, they moved to the Heritage Christian School band room, later expanding into the chapel, and the gymnasium.
As the fledgling group began to grow, they moved to the Heritage Christian School band room, later expanding into the chapel, and the gymnasium.
Expanding the vision...
It soon became clear that God’s Spirit was blessing the ministry of Woodridge Community Church. Desiring to see an authentic community of grace with a broader impact in the greater Milwaukee area, the elders began to search for a building from which to carry out the ministry, starting in 1994.
It wasn't until February 1998 that an 18.47 acre parcel of vacant farm land on the corner of Howard and Sunnyslope in New Berlin became available. An offer was made and accepted, and the sale closed in January 2000. Woodridge liquidated its Building Fund, and the land was purchased without debt.
It wasn't until February 1998 that an 18.47 acre parcel of vacant farm land on the corner of Howard and Sunnyslope in New Berlin became available. An offer was made and accepted, and the sale closed in January 2000. Woodridge liquidated its Building Fund, and the land was purchased without debt.
Learning to trust God...
No one could have anticipated the difficulties that would lie ahead. Numerous issues arose with the land and building: flooding concerns, the Department of Natural Resources’ declared wetlands on the property, endangered snake reports, many unfavorable responses from the local government, and resistant neighbors.
Even our attorney suggested the difficulties that lie ahead were possibly “insurmountable.” It could not be easily dismissed that snakes seemed to be holding up the building plans. Skepticism and doubt were nearly unavoidable, but by God's grace, we persevered.
Even our attorney suggested the difficulties that lie ahead were possibly “insurmountable.” It could not be easily dismissed that snakes seemed to be holding up the building plans. Skepticism and doubt were nearly unavoidable, but by God's grace, we persevered.
By God's grace...
God, in His graciousness, prevailed over seemingly impossible circumstances. One by one, obstacles were removed, and the City of New Berlin granted a Conditional-Use Permit in fall 2005, giving Woodridge until October 2006 to begin construction.
We are grateful to God for our first worship service at the new building, held at 13800 W Howard Avenue, July 2007. We also thank the many volunteers that dedicated hours of hard work to see the project through to completion. This truly was a labor of love. We are looking brightly into the future and praying that God will use Woodridge Community Church to proclaim the gospel to future generations.
We are grateful to God for our first worship service at the new building, held at 13800 W Howard Avenue, July 2007. We also thank the many volunteers that dedicated hours of hard work to see the project through to completion. This truly was a labor of love. We are looking brightly into the future and praying that God will use Woodridge Community Church to proclaim the gospel to future generations.
Where we are headed...
One generation passed on the mantle of leadership to another on October 13, 2013. Pastor Dave and Brenda sensed God calling them to train the next generation's leaders at New Hope Church in New Richmond, Wisconsin.
We are blessed by God to have Pastor Luke Dufek, a staff member since 2006, as our Pastor of Preaching and Vision. Pastor Luke, his wife Amy, and their four boys are a blessing to us all as we look forward to the next 75 years of ministry. Pastor Luke’s philosophy of ministry begins and ends with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is so large that it encompasses all of life.
We are blessed by God to have Pastor Luke Dufek, a staff member since 2006, as our Pastor of Preaching and Vision. Pastor Luke, his wife Amy, and their four boys are a blessing to us all as we look forward to the next 75 years of ministry. Pastor Luke’s philosophy of ministry begins and ends with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is so large that it encompasses all of life.