By Connie Cavanaugh and Christine head

Steve and Marylin Gallimore soon figured that out as they sought God's guidance for reaching unbelievers in Paris, Tennessee. What became apparent was that many hurting people live in Henry County who might never walk through the doors of a traditional church.

"People needed to hear that God can help them today as well as eternally," says Pastor Steve. "The message never changes, but the methods of reaching them do. Adaptation has to happen in every generation."

With help from the Tennessee Baptist Convention and Germantown Baptist in Memphis, the Gallimores teamed with 20 others and launched Tennessee Valley Community Church (TVCC) in August 2000.

What makes TVCC distinct?

"We don't try to clean the fish before they're caught," says Steve with a laugh. "God has worked through this body by reaching out to people where they are, accepting them but then loving them too much to leave them there." 

• TVCC meets in a converted auto dealership.
• They've baptized 200, have about 350 in membership and run about 500 per Sunday.
• Recognizing that families in the 21st century have changed-most moms work, grandma no longer lives next door-TVCC has a scaled- down program in order to meet the needs of the community. They meet at church only on Sunday mornings for worship.
• About 20 small groups meet weekly in homes and offices. Laypeople "shepherd" most of these groups.
• Volunteers visit weekly in the county jail. Three dozen inmates have given their lives to Christ as a result of studying 40 Days of Purpose based on Rick Warren's book The Purpose Driven Life and Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered program dealing with hurts, habits or hang-ups.
• "How to" preaching with the latest technology offers worship designed to give the participant an authentic encounter with God. A sermon series called "Driving Force: How to Win the Race" used a NASCAR theme-flags and all-and video clips showing crashes to illustrate real-life events ("hitting the wall"). This encouraged people to become involved in small groups ("pit crews") and understand God as "the spotter" who can see everything from above and give direction to the driver in trouble. The NASCAR analogy resonated well with the many racing fans in the area, people who are familiar with the spotter being someone with a unique vantage point whose direction and judgment can be trusted and relied upon.
• By embracing the arts TVCC allows individuals to use their God-given talents. In addition to laypeople gifted in music and drama, TVCC has artists and sculptors. One small group built a cross out of PVC pipe, using it to display items from their lives before Christ, such as crushed beer cans and adult magazine covers-"anything they considered to be gods in their lives that they needed to get rid of," says Steve. "To be honest, when I first saw it, I was a little taken aback, but then I thought 'Thank you, God, for real people with real problems.'"
• TVCC challenges people to become involved participants, not just bystanders. "We're a high expectation church," Steve says. "You can't join without taking the 101 class which teaches the basics about our church. When you sign up, you're agreeing to serve." More than 40 percent of members are involved in ministry.
• Children and youth programs begin each week by gathering for praise and worship done "kids' style," then moving to small groups where every child can express himself or herself, and there's someone to help them where needed.
• Counseling also has been key-offering marital and personal help.

Spiritual trauma unit

TVCC calls itself a Life Support Ward: a place where the members provide critical care to hurting people. "Our church is full of people who have trouble in their homes or marriages," Steve says. The leadership team doesn't try to hide its hurts or troubles-they live transparent lives-believing that shoulder-to-shoulder ministry brings hope.

Recently a man walked into one of the three farm machinery dealerships co-owned by Steve, a bi-vocational businessman/pastor, and asked the receptionist if she knew of anyone who could help him. He was distraught, because his wife had left him. She gave him "the boss' " phone number.

Steve received his call at seven the following morning. "He doesn't go to our church," Steve explained. "But when he called his church, he got a recording directing him to press various buttons for different offices." There was no number to press for his problem, the man told Steve.

On another occasion Steve got a call from a man he baptized three weeks earlier who was having trouble with a teenage son. Steve discovered that this man's wife and son had been in church the day Steve had ridden a Harley into the service. The young son was impressed and told his mom he wanted to return.

And as for the Harley? "We're in competition with the world whether we want to admit it or not. In order to reach people we have to get their attention," Steve says. "Churches can't carry on with business as usual; they must be willing to take risks."

Working on the spiritual "trauma unit" can take a huge emotional toll on ministers. "It's impossible not to be emotionally spent," Steve admits. "In fact, Christ was totally spent. I figure I may burn up, but I won't burn out. Jesus is the doctor, and the shepherd-leaders are the nurses." TVCC's job is to point people to Christ, not to try to take His place.

TVCC practices a broad-based style of servant leadership where every believer is a minister. Steve believes the testimony of a layperson carries great weight. "When seekers hear laypeople share their faith, they'll listen and many will believe."

People who came from backgrounds of drug addiction or even atheism-who never had opened a Bible in their lives before coming to TVCC-are now involved in ministry.

To illustrate what God is doing there, one member said: "It's really cool that the guy who used to serve me drinks across the bar now serves me the Lord's Supper instead."