In December 2020, a core team from Impact Church of Fredericksburg began to meet, pray, and dream about what God could do in the city of Fredericksburg through a new church plant. God would be at work, answering such God-sized prayers, less than three years later.
Before God moved Church Planter Brandon Hembree to launch Impact Church of Fredericksburg, he was told of two challenges the church plant would need to address: the nations are not in Fredericksburg; and that churches, by and large, have been unsuccessful in reaching the campus of the University of Mary Washington (UMW) with the Gospel.
Pastor Hembree met the first challenge after he encountered people from other nations just after moving to the area. However he shared that the challenge of reaching the UMW campus was very real.
Pastor Hembree saw that God opened doors among a growing Afghanistan refugee population.
People and resources from Impact Church began to raise up to reach the nations in Fredericksburg. Pastor Hembree cast the vision, “Before our church can be multi-ethnic, your life (dining room table) must be.”
God is using 20 members of this two-year-old church to build relationships and meet the needs of these Afghan people. Impact Church has had the opportunity to begin an English as a Second Language class, teach computer literacy, and offer supplies at a local apartment complex of mostly Afghan people.
Pastor Hembree is also seeing how God is opening doors for Gospel impact at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. He stated, “The next wave of spiritual awakening is sitting at local college campuses.” Impact Church has faithfully prayer-walked the UMW campus and built relationships with students.
The church now serves as a local campus ministry sponsor, launching a weekly Cru Bible study and guys’ and girls’ discipleship groups on campus. Since September 2023, twenty-five UMW students have attended Impact Church and now serve in ministries.
Why is Impact Church reaching UMW students? Pastor Hembree responded, “Prayer, yes, but also personal discipleship relationships. These relationships have brought them to Impact.”
Praise the Lord for the amazing doors He is opening through the God-sized prayers of His people at Impact Church of Fredericksburg.
Impact Church of Fredericksburg launched in September 2021 with 25 adults and 10 children. In December 2023, the church has grown to 65 adults and 35 children.
