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South Hills Church Community started as a dream and a calling from God to Bret Johnson, an established Pastor working at a large church in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bret’s wife, Sallie, and family agreed to move and felt God’s leading to the rapidly growing Las Vegas valley. Below is a summary timeline of our history from then: June 2000 Five young adults (all in their early to mid-20’s) moved with the Johnson’s to Las Vegas. Not knowing a soul in the valley, this small cadre began to meet people and share their dream of starting a new church that would eventually start other churches. Sept. 2000 20-30 people started meeting in the living room of the Johnson’s home on Sunday evenings. After only two more months this group had grown to more than 50 people and found it necessary to move into an apartment clubhouse where the other members of the founding team were living. Jan. 2001 After six months of living in the valley, South Hills Church Community celebrated its official grand opening at the brand new Bob Miller Middle School at the west end of Green Valley in Henderson. 192 people were at the grand opening service on January 4, 2001. During its first year, South Hills Church met only on Sunday evenings and average attendance was about 150. 2002 The church added a morning service and attendance climbed to nearly 300. Janice Yurek joined the staff in May, and Chris Lyons in December. Jan. 2004 When South Hills Church celebrated its third anniversary it transitioned to two morning services (dropping the evening service) and averaged 400 in attendance. Aug. 2004 We moved into our current facility . Lighthouse Academy opens. Alex Smidt joins the staff (to plant our first daughter church). Neal Benson joins the staff in November of 2004. 2005 As the church moves into its fifth year, attendance grows to 600. South Hills Church has experienced 40% annual growth in both attendance and giving over the last four years. Our first daughter church, Soulstice, launches on Sept. 11th, 2005 with a grand opening of 142. 2006 South Hills celebrates its Fifth Anniversary with Fernando Ortega. Average attendance in 2006 is 710 after expansion of Worship Center and Gathering Room. The Bureau of Land Management grants South Hills the right to purchase 10 acres at the I-215 & St. Rose Pkwy. intersection to build a permanent church campus. Plans for Phase One building are approved. The RENOWN campaign for our new campus realizes pledges of $2,702,000. |
