WHO WE ARE

Our church is a community of believers with Jesus Christ as its head. We seek to love, respect and care for one another as a demonstration of our love for God.

Our outreach is to those who have no church home. Many in our area are disillusioned with religion. They have felt the sting of legalism with its impossible demands. Some have seen hypocrisy. Others have had no religious background and therefore see Christianity as irrelevant. The missing element has been healthy relationships with mature believers in Jesus.

THE VISION

Our vision is to see a tremendous work of God begin and continue in our community. A work like no other seen before in Galveston County, where thousands of people are won to Christ, discipled and matured. We see hundreds of trained lay ministers leading care groups spread throughout Galveston County. We dream of a church which is simple and honest with people. One where integrity, honesty and caring are of utmost importance. A church that exalts the Lord by exalting His Word, the Bible. A church that never separates the need to both share God's love and hope and teach the individual members how to continue in a victorious life through Jesus Christ.

We see a church that realizes its greatest potential lies in its people who are built up, encouraged, recognized and equipped to carry out the ministry. Where the people are taught the Word of God and where they discover and use their spiritual gifts. We believe this will result in tremendous evangelism as we realize the power and hope that is ours as God's children. A church where people are more valued than programs.

We dream of a church where worship holds a top priority and truly celebrates the Lord Jesus Christ. Where sermons are practical and music is celebrative and where the unchurched as well as the churched feel comfortable, at ease and able to experience God's presence.

We see a church that lives by faith and seeks to accomplish tasks that only God can do. Where through accomplishments God is glorified and lifted up and men will be drawn to Him. Where needs are truly met through ministry and hurting people are healed. Where people with questions will find their answer and those seeking help will be satisfied. A church with a true servant's spirit seeking the best for one another and not ourselves. A church that understands the true test of the Christian faith is love and a church where love is met, not just talked about.

We see an untraditional church where everyone will feel welcome and where today's generation as well as other generations can find room to express their faith. A church with an easygoing atmosphere, casual to semi-nice dress(come as you are), inspirational music and lots of plants.

All under the authoritative leadership of the pastor, staff and elders who seek the mind of Christ and equip the body to minister. We also see a Christian school (K-12 grade) attached in some way that will allow children and young people from all over to get the highest quality education mixed with solid Christian ethics and morals. This would begin with a day care and preschool and eventually add elementary, junior high and high school.

THE HISTORY OF MCC

Mainland Community Church in Texas City celebrated their 10th Anniversary in January 2003. We celebrated this exciting event on February 1st at the Doyle Convention Center in Texas City.

Mainland Community Church started with the vision to reach 50,000 people in 20 years by providing a casual atmosphere, music you want to listen to and practical sermons where you will actually go home learning how to apply the bible to your life.

They had their first church meeting on January 1993 in the home of John and Olivia Waling. They started with 32 people and they sang praise and worship music along with CD\'s and a boombox.. They soon outgrew the Walings living room and later that year, they moved from the Waling\'s living room to the Holiday Inn.

And within a year, they outgrew the Holiday Inn and moved to College of the Mainland in 1994. Meeting at the college was a miracle in itself. By this time, the church increased from one service to two morning services on Sunday.

In 1997 it was time to move on. MCC outgrew the college. Both services were filled to the maximum capacity. Another miracle occurred! MCC was given the chance to purchase prime property on I-45, next to the Mall of the Mainland. MCC put up a huge tent and they had their first meeting on Easter of 1997. They rented portable buildings for their children\'s ministry and port-a-potties! They have lots of stories from those days. They had to put up with mice (from the sound booth, you could see them scurrying around peoples feet and they never knew!) Rain that actually came inside one night so bad that they had to move all of their chairs to one side of the building, high winds that felt as if we were going to lose our tent... there are also have stories of people getting stuck in port-a-potties. But they are all wonderful memories that they will always cherish and are a part of MCC history.

While they met in the tent, plans were being made to build a permanent brick building and on Easter of 1999, they met in their brick building! MCC built a school and the school is used there during the week and serves as a church on Sundays. So as you can see, MCC has come a long way in 10 years and with the same vision. To reach out to those who want church, but not all of the "religion". Their dress is casual, the music is fun, the atmosphere is comfortable and the people are real. There is no paid staff in the church at all.

The church is maintained by people who are willing to serve and who want to reach people for Jesus Christ. The whole story is really a miracle! If you have ever been a part of MCC or have even visited us once, you are a part of our history.