In early 2017, Spencer and Ellen Beach felt God strongly calling them not only to lead Building Church, but also to the Huntsville/Madison area in general.
Years later, they both can say that they wake up every day excited about and honored to do what they do, which is to love people, help others move into a life of significance through Christ, and tell everyone everywhere about Jesus.
Building Church is a non-denominational church here in Madison off of Slaughter Road near the Eastview Drive intersection. Some longtime Madison residents may remember when Building Church first began a campus at Discovery Middle School in 2008 before eventually transitioning over to The Monaco theater at Bridgestreet.
In 2016, they built and completed their current building, which is now a bustling location with multiple Sunday morning service opportunities, all-week-long ministry happenings, and much more.
Pastor Spencer shared that the vision of Building Church is “to see everyone living a Jesus-first life, growing spiritually, and living missionally.” When asked what tangible ways Building Church lives out this vision, he and Pastor Ellen began to share a lengthy list full of opportunities that people from all over our area could get connected with.
Arriving as a first-time guest
Pastor Ellen shared that BC offers two ways to encounter Jesus on Sunday mornings: via their two in-person service times or through their live, online service experience. Both in-person and online services begin at 9 and 10:30 a.m. and are just over an hour in length.
Pastor Spencer says that connection is a major pulse of BC and that first-time guests will experience that the moment they walk through the doors.
“Though some of our gatherings may appear large, we want to be focused on you as an individual when you walk through that door.”
Pastor Ellen shared that “When you visit, you are going to sense a core value of hospitality and that we strive to create a safe and inviting environment to experience Jesus.”
In the lobby, guests will find an opportunity to mingle with others, a hot coffee bar with a slew of gourmet options, a kids’ check-in area, and a Connection Desk for those with general questions.
Children and Youth
Children ages six weeks through 5th grade are invited to experience “BC Kids”, which takes place in a secure, private wing off of the main lobby area. Classes are divided up by infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and then a big elementary class in the students’ auditorium.
First-time guests to the children’s area will be welcomed by Kids Ministry Dream Team members (i.e. superhero volunteers!) who will walk you through the brief registration process. Pre-registration is also available online! (All kids’ ministry volunteers are required to have a background check as well as complete a specialized training before serving in this area.)
Children will then be given nametags with a coordinating tag for the authorized adult to hold onto. This tag is required to pick up ones’ child to ensure the safest, most secure experience.
Pastor Ellen says that kids’ ministry classes are fun, engaging, and a wonderful biblical learning setting.
The K-5th grade service is especially engaging with worship, games, crafts, and an overall encouraging environment.
Students ages 6th grade and up are invited to attend the regular service options.
Psst: There is also a mothers’ room off of the lobby area with comfortable chairs to nurse a baby, change a diaper, and relax with ones’ newborn while still engaging in a live service streamed on the TV in the room.
The Service
“We want every Sunday service to be life giving,” says Pastor Spencer. “Whether you are new to the faith or not, these services are a celebration of God’s faithfulness in all of our lives.”
Pastor Spencer shared that services include a dynamic, upbeat contemporary worship experience as well as a sermon with life-application context and scriptural truth.
“We have modern worship that connects people to timeless biblical truths,” he says.
Pastor Ellen continued to explain that “people may experience a familiar hymn wrapped in a modern worship experience.” Though their worship style is more upbeat and contemporary, she shared that “people are tender towards the songs that were relevant when they first became a Christ-follower.”
Starting Point
During the 10:30 service, guests are invited to stay for a four-week Starting Point class, which shares all of the ins and outs about Building Church. This class is highly informative and engaging and is generally the first step in making BC one’s official church home and getting plugged in.
There are a handful of ways to grow ones’ community within the church while also growing in ones’ spiritual journey outside of Sunday morning services.
These options include serving on the Dream Team, going through a Leadership Track and/or Growth Track course, or leading/enrolling in one of many, many Life Group options.
“We want to journey with you as you grow spiritually,” shared Pastor Ellen. “We like to take a person that has never read the Bible before and really help them make sense of it.”
Pastor Spencer and Pastor Ellen both agree that regardless of where someone is in their faith journey, that they will be able to find their place at Building Church.
Building Church in Madison, Alabama has a handful of ministries within the church to help others grow spiritually and in relationship with others. These ministries include a men’s ministry, women’s ministry (called Blush), a youth ministry for students in grades 6-12, and the kid’s ministry.
Men’s Ministry
Men are invited to gather together throughout the year to dine out, attend sporting events, listen to relevant, empowering speakers, and more.
Women’s Blush Ministry
The Blush ministry is incredibly active. They host events throughout the year, which include dynamic worship, an engaging speaker, treats, music, and all kinds of other surprises. They also hosted their first weekend-long conference in November 2019. Pastor Ellen shared that Blush is constantly planning events that will help foster solid, healthy friendships with other believers.
Youth Ministry
BC Youth gather weekly on Sunday evenings for a time of fellowship, worship, bible study, and more. This fast-growing group is led by leaders that are committed to fostering spiritual growth in developmentally appropriate ways that are engaging, fun, and meaningful for middle and high schoolers.
Kids Ministry
As aforementioned, BC Kids offers engaging Sunday morning opportunities, but they also provide extra events throughout the year as well. BC believes that children need positive spiritual connection and development just as much as youth and adults do.
Local Ministries
Building Church in Madison, Alabama believes that the Church is called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and one way to doing that is getting out in the community and serving others. Members will often participate in Serve Days, which are opportunities to give local schools, neighborhoods, and community members a helping hand with a need that they have.
BC also strives to support local heroes, such as medical professionals, health care workers, first responders, veterans, and more by honoring them and supporting them in various ways throughout the year.
Global Ministries
“BC is local and global,” shared Pastor Spencer. “We are one local church that is impacting the world.”
Building Church proudly supports missions all across the globe in ensuring that Christians everywhere are equipped to tell everyone, everywhere about Jesus.
“We believe that people feel most fulfilled when they are living out what God has for their lives, and we like to partner with people in that process,” shared Pastor Ellen.
Building Church is proud to be diverse racially and generationally as well as diverse in their gender leadership representation.
“At our core, we really believe that everyone needs connection. We want to make it incredibly easy to connect to God, to each other, and truly find life-giving relationships here. We believe passionately in people and that God has an amazing plan for all of us,” says Pastor Spencer.
“At the end of the day, we want people to feel like their church is aware of what is going on in their lives and that the church is coming beside each person to walk with them in that,” shared Pastor Ellen.
In-person services and live online service experiences take place at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
845 Slaughter Road, Madison, Alabama 35758
(256) 665-3404
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