Valley Christian Church in Albuquerque's South Valley is a prayer-driven, nondenominational church known for verse-by-verse Bible teaching, gathered worship, and ministries that extend from young children through senior adults. Rooted in a fellowship that began planning in 1962, Valley Christian Church describes itself as a place to pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ, serve one another with the gifts God gives, and carry that mission from Albuquerque to the ends of the earth. Its home is at 2850 Gun Club Road Southwest in Albuquerque.
A Sunday Built Around Study, Coffee and Worship
The Sunday rhythm at Valley Christian Church begins at 9:30 a.m. with Bible Study. A 10:15 a.m. Fellowship and Coffee gathering follows, and the Worship Celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. The sequence gives the congregation time to study Scripture, spend time together over coffee, and then gather for worship. The church particularly encourages people to attend in person while making both the Bible Study and worship gatherings available to those who cannot be present.
Both the 9:30 Bible Study and 10:30 Worship Celebration are livestreamed through the church's Facebook account. The livestream posts can also be viewed later, allowing the teaching and worship to remain accessible beyond the gathering itself.
All STARS Children's Ministry provides age-appropriate worship for children from newborn through fifth grade during both the 9:30 and 10:30 gatherings. Children are cared for individually in a safe, loving, and encouraging environment. The Oasis Student Center also hosts a 9:30 Bible study, while Sunday Night Youth Group meets from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. for students from junior high through college.
The Lord's Supper is available each Sunday as part of the church's life and worship. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be reached at (505) 877-5500 or through info@vccabq.org and pastor@vccabq.org.
From an Adobe House on Isleta Boulevard
Valley Christian Church began with a dream. Twelve adults met on October 12, 1962, to make plans for establishing a Christian church in Albuquerque's South Valley. They started weekly prayer meetings and searched for a temporary place to worship. An old adobe house at 3808 Isleta Boulevard Southwest was rented, and regular services began on January 6, 1963. Forty-two people attended Sunday School, while 52 attended morning worship.
The first part-time minister was Monty Avery, who served about a year. Roy Barringer followed in January 1964 and served four years. During that period, the congregation purchased acreage at 2813 Gun Club Road Southwest. A military barracks from Kirtland Air Force Base was purchased and moved onto the property, where repairs and remodeling by the congregation made it usable for worship. The first service in that building was held on July 12, 1964, with 94 people attending morning worship.
David Sawkins, a graduate of Ozark Bible College, became the first full-time minister in June 1968 and remained until spring 1983. Construction of what is now the Fellowship Hall began in March 1971, and the building served as the sanctuary for many years while additional classrooms were added. The congregation then bought four and a half acres across Gun Club Road, south of the original property, and began planning for a new building in 1978. That building, at 2850 Gun Club Road Southwest, was dedicated on July 20, 1980.
Valley Christian Academy was established in the fall of 1981, and a day care began in 1984. The church later received a gift of eight and a half acres of land south of its Gun Club Road property in 2003. These additions shaped a church that could continue developing worship, education, classes, and ministries on its South Valley property.
Several ministers shaped the church during its later decades. David Johnson served about a year, Bernie Frazier served two years, and Joe Hunsacker served as interim minister for ten months while completing a master's degree. Milo Davis served four years, followed by Jonathan O'Dowd for about two years. David Morgan became the minister in February 1996 and served for 24 years until retiring on March 1, 2020. Bill Morgan joined the staff in November 2003, and youth minister Vince Delorme joined in August 2009 and left in July 2015. David Rorabaugh began serving as the full-time pastor on August 11, 2020.
Lead Pastor David Rorabaugh
David Rorabaugh grew up near Caldwell in southwest Idaho with three older siblings and graduated from Middleton Public Schools in 1974. His family was active in First Christian Church of Caldwell, and he committed to serve Christ at age 12. He later completed a joint program at Intermountain Bible College and Mesa College, graduating in 1979 with a degree in church music.
His ministry began with a youth position at First Christian Church of Deming in January 1981. He was ordained as a minister of the gospel in December, later served with the Lordsburg Church of Christ, and then spent 15 years with the Christian Church of Alamogordo. During those years, he also served as a trustee with Spanish American Evangelistic Ministries and on the planning committee of the New Mexico Christian Convention. From July 2002 through July 2020, he was an associate minister at First Christian Church in Nevada, Missouri, concentrating on music and education before joining Valley Christian Church. Raymond Burchell, Theodore Armijo, and David Rorabaugh serve as elders.
Evangelism and Edification at the Center
Valley Christian Church defines its work through a two-part purpose: sharing the message of Jesus Christ with those outside the church and enabling those inside it to mature as believers. The church carries out that purpose through Bible teaching, the employment of spiritual gifts and talents, and the shared experiences of fellowship and worship. In shorter form, its statement calls these priorities evangelism and edification.
The Doctrines That Shape Valley's Life
- The Bible: Valley Christian Church holds that the Bible is the only inspired, infallible, and authoritative word of God. The imparting of Scripture is described as the central ministry of the local church, so people can know God and serve Him in worship and ministry.
- Humanity and salvation: People are understood to be sinners and members of a fallen race. Salvation comes by grace through active faith, not as a result of human effort. It is a free gift from God, received by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and not earned or deserved.
- Water baptism: Baptism is described as the commanded immersion of a penitent believer. It symbolizes cleansing and forgiveness, the giving of the Holy Spirit, the new birth, dying and being buried with sin and being raised with Christ, regeneration, salvation, and being clothed in Christ. The church connects baptism with faith, repentance, and confession.
- The Lord's Supper: Communion is the second ordinance named by the church. Only sincere, repentant believers who have examined themselves should participate. Although the Bible does not prescribe a set time, Valley Christian Church makes the Lord's Supper available each Sunday.
- The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is affirmed as the third Person of the Trinity, equal with the Father and the Son. The church lists conviction of sin, glorification of Jesus, regeneration, indwelling, comfort, spiritual gifts, sanctification, unity, assurance, biblical teaching, intercession, and sealing among the Spirit's works. The fruit of the Spirit is described as evidence of the Spirit's presence.
- Eternal security: Those who are truly saved are described as sealed with the Holy Spirit and secure in Christ. The church is careful to distinguish this from unconditional security, teaching that a life of continual, habitual sin is not the life of someone truly saved.
- The church and its elders: All who place faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are described as one body, with Jesus as its head. The church's task is to make disciples, win the lost to Christ, and equip people for ministry. Local churches are to be governed by a plurality of godly leaders called elders, whose responsibility is to shepherd the flock; some elders also preach and teach.
- Worship, healing, Christ's return and discipline: Praise may take forms including singing, playing instruments, bowing, kneeling, lifting hands, clapping and shouting, as well as the dedication of one's daily life to God. People who are sick may call for the elders to anoint them with oil and pray for them. The church looks for Christ's return to gather His church. Church discipline is to be redemptive and restorative, moving from private correction to counsel with witnesses, then to church leaders, and finally to withdrawal from fellowship if repentance does not come.
All STARS: Safety, Worship and Service
All STARS is the name of Valley Christian Church's children's ministry for nursery through fifth grade. Its purpose is to bring children into age-appropriate worship where they can belong to the family of God, grow in their relationship with Christ, learn to serve, and share Christ with others. The name also defines five values that guide the ministry:
- Safety and security: Protecting children is the first priority.
- Teamwork: Serving together lightens the load and strengthens the heart.
- Accountability: This helps people understand and reach their God-given potential.
- Relationships: The ministry seeks authentic relationships built on genuine love for others.
- Simplicity: The teaching process is intended to be fun and easy for volunteers to teach and for children to learn.
The curriculum is grounded in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. The command to love God and love neighbors shapes the emphasis on worship and service. The call to make followers, baptize and teach obedience shapes the emphasis on evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship. These convictions are summarized in five purposes: love the Lord God through worship, love the neighbor through service, go and make followers by sharing, belong through baptism, and grow through teaching obedience.
Safety is the primary goal of the children's program. Each All STARS leader completes an extensive orientation process and is screened before working with children. The ministry aims to care for each child personally within a safe, loving and encouraging environment.
OASIS: Loving God and Loving People
OASIS Student Ministry describes its student group with the phrase Loving God and Loving People. It is a relational ministry that meets weekly and involves students in the surrounding community. The stated purpose of OASIS is to share the Gospel with non-believing students, attach them to other believers, help them increase in their faith, and challenge them to serve others by offering their lives to God in worship.
OASIS Bible Study meets at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the Oasis Student Center. Sunday Night Youth Group, or SNYG, meets at the Valley Christian Church campus from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The gathering combines fellowship, food, worship, fun, and time in God's Word. It is open to students from junior high through college.
Men of God, Women of the Word and Senior STARS
Men of God
The Men's Ministry exists to reach, teach, and release men to grow to their full potential in Christ. It offers opportunities for service, study, spiritual growth and fellowship, along with retreats and conferences that connect men with godly leaders on a larger scale.
- Men of God Bible Study meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for one hour at the Valley Christian Church campus.
- A monthly Men's Breakfast includes food, fellowship, encouragement and Bible study from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
- The ministry recruits and trains men for church leadership.
- Prayer is a central part of the Men's Ministry.
Women of the Word
The Women's Ministry provides opportunities to meet the needs and interests of women through service, study, spiritual growth, fellowship and prayer. Its Bible study, Women of the Word, meets every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at the Valley Christian Church campus. Class time is about one hour, with coffee and snacks provided.
- Service opportunities place women within the life of the church.
- Retreats, seminars and other gatherings offer wider fellowship and instruction.
- Women are recruited and trained for leadership.
- The Women's Ministry oversees decorations, communion preparation and baptism ministries.
Senior STARS
Senior STARS stands for Seniors Taking Active Roles for the Savior and follows a five-point program of Maturity, Ministry, Missions, Mentoring and Mixing. Seniors continue to study the Word through Sunday classes, worship, midweek prayer and regular Bible studies on the Valley Christian Church campus. They also attend seminars and senior adult conferences for inspiration, knowledge and growth.
Senior STARS is both a ministry to senior adults and a ministry of senior adults to others. Senior members serve on church ministry teams, seek additional avenues of service, volunteer for community service, care for one another, visit shut-ins, care for the sick, and comfort the bereaved. Their commitment is expressed in the conviction that there is no retirement from Christian service.
Missions also occupy an important place in Senior STARS. Seniors contribute financially, pray for missionaries, promote the work, and offer their services for short-term mission work. Their mentoring emphasis draws on education, experience, talents, skills, time, wisdom, encouragement and companionship. A weekly Senior STARS Bible study meets Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Other gatherings include fellowship dinners, restaurant outings, special events, visits to local sites, conference trips and scenic tours.
Prayer and Expository Teaching Through the Week
Every other Wednesday, Valley Christian Church gathers for a half-hour of concentrated prayer at 6:30 p.m. on its campus. The prayer meeting focuses on members, the country and world issues. This recurring rhythm complements the Sunday Bible Study and the additional classes offered throughout the week.
The weekly audio Bible-study podcast with Pastor David Rorabaugh is also available through the church's podcast library. Each message is taught expositionally through the entire Bible, verse by verse, and includes sermon notes. That emphasis on systematic biblical teaching also shapes the church's conviction that the continuous imparting of Scripture is the central ministry of the local church.
Jerusalem, Judea and the Ends of the Earth
Valley Christian Church organizes its mission around the language of Acts 1:8. Its Jerusalem is the city of Albuquerque, with a particular emphasis on Albuquerque's Southwest Valley, where the church is located. Members also come from Los Lunas, Bernalillo and surrounding areas. The church brings the Word to this local region through Sunday worship and classes during the week.
New Mexico as Judea
The church's Judea is the state of New Mexico. Valley Christian Church supports El Porvenir Christian Camp in Montezuma, where an extensive program of camps and retreats offers training, inspiration and relaxation for children and adults. Missions receive regular monthly financial support from the congregation.
Connecting Hope Mission
The primary goal of Connecting Hope Mission is to preach the gospel, win souls to Christ and establish churches that can become self-supporting within six years. Companion projects seek to raise people's standard of living, support families through small business ventures, and provide support for churches. The work also includes medical clinics in barrios. Women of Hope International builds women's villages that offer hope to women in crisis.
International Disaster Emergency Service
Valley Christian Church supports International Disaster Emergency Service, or IDES. IDES addresses physical and spiritual needs in the name of Jesus Christ through evangelism, disaster response, hunger relief, community development and medical care. Its international focus allows the Albuquerque church to participate in relief and development work far beyond New Mexico.
Faith Comes By Hearing
Another supported mission, Faith Comes By Hearing, responds to people who do not have enough time to read the Bible. It produces word-for-word recordings of most translations in an audio-drama style and encourages congregation-wide listening at no cost to the church. Its aim is to bring people into the Bible daily, an emphasis that fits Valley Christian Church's commitment to Scripture and discipleship.
Every Gift a Place to Serve
Valley Christian Church's ministries make room for service at every stage of life. Children learn to worship and serve, students are challenged to share their lives in worship, men and women are trained for leadership, and seniors continue in mentoring, missions and active ministry. The church's recurring purpose is to use the gifts, abilities and talents God has given so that people can serve one another and advance the mission of Jesus Christ.
Serving as a volunteer begins with a signed and dated Ministry Involvement Application, a background check, and an interview with a pastor or elder. The church uses Protect My Ministry for the screening process. Its volunteer process includes an application that can be brought or mailed to the office, followed by the required screening and interview.
At Valley Christian Church, the conviction remains straightforward: a church shares the message of Jesus Christ with those outside and enables believers to mature through Scripture, spiritual gifts, fellowship, worship, service and prayer. From the first twelve-adult prayer meeting in 1962 to the ministries meeting at 2850 Gun Club Road Southwest, Valley Christian Church continues to organize its life around that purpose.