Our Story

        In mid-2016, when my bride was involved in “Hope on the Hill,” a food ministry at Spring City United Methodist Church, I was told by the Pastor that the church would soon be closing. It was such an icon in the community, yet through the years, the congregation had dwindled, and there was no mistaking that it had fallen into disrepair. I began to have a series of visions of the building becoming a version of her former self. A lighthouse in a dark sea. A lamp on a stand. I remember being awakened night after night, and God speaking plainly that this would happen. That many ministries would happen here, including help for children, young mothers, the homeless, and the whole Spring City/Royersford Valley.

 

        God kept me awake night after night as I wrestled with him. “Not me!” I told him. “You’ve got the wrong guy. I’m not a pastor.” But after three weeks without sleep, I gave up and said, “OK! If you just let me get some sleep, I will do what you ask! But it is not going to work! I am just a retired cop. And I play the drums…Those are my only assets.”

 

        My Bride encouraged me to do whatever God was telling me to do. During this time, I relayed my visions to one of the wisest people I know, a man respected throughout the area and a Pastor Emeritus of his original church, Jack Mason. He encouraged me to “step through any door that opens” and to “Follow God where he leads.” He also told me that a man who belonged to a local pastor’s group in the area had received a similar vision. He told me where that man lived, and that is how I met Pastor Bill Beck.

 

        Bill explained that he had a vision that was primarily the same. We became fast friends and, at one point, climbed what Bill referred to as a “staircase” (which was more like Jacob’s ladder if you ask me) to the roof of the bell tower. It was there we prayed over the Valley and prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom, and blessing, and we would continue to pray on the steps of the building from time to time that God’s vision and will would be done.

 

        We also began to work on making God’s dream come true. We spoke to people who caught the vision. We toured the building with a group of respected pastors and church leaders. God had given me a dollar figure to offer the UMC Conference, so we did, having no idea where we would get the money if they accepted. It was during this time that I received a phone call from a woman whom I will call “Angel.”

 

        Angel said she heard that I had had a vision and asked me to relate it to her. I related the entire story, and at the end she said, “I see your vision. I received some money in an inheritance and want to use it for good. I’ll buy that building for you if you can get them to sell it for that price!”

 

        They turned down our offer and placed the building on the market.

 

        We continued to pray. I prayed for open doors; I prayed for closed doors; I prayed that God’s will be done. 

Angel and I spoke occasionally, and she always said, “I’m still here. I still see the vision. 

 

        Three times the building was sold. Three times I called to confirm. Twice, I was told it fell through. The third time, in April 2019, I was informed that a check was being sent the next day to seal the deal. I reiterated that our original offer still stood, and that God had promised that building to the community.

 

        During this time, I lost touch with Pastor Beck. We all continued in our separate ministries, but life seemed a bit hollow when I began to think that the Vision of God may not have been a vision at all, but simply something that my mind had set itself on. Again, more prayers for closed doors.

 

        Several weeks later, I passed by and saw that the building was still listed for sale. Shortly thereafter, the man in charge of the property called me and asked if our vision was still the same. I stated that it was, and he asked, "Can I go back to the trustees with anything more than your original offer?”

 

        So, I prayed. Every day. Sometimes all day. God even kept me up a couple of nights in prayer. And then, after two weeks, God spoke to me. He said that he felt that I had learned patience. He also said that in faith, I should add $5,000 of my own savings to the figure. I ran this by my bride as she is my faithful barometer of, “is it me or is it God?” She said, “If that’s what God is telling you, then you should do that.” I also returned to my wise mentor, Pastor Mason, who repeated, “Keep stepping forward as the Lord opens the doors!

 

        I called Devon Wright, my realtor friend, and told her to put in our offer. When she saw the price of the building, she thought I was crazy.

 

        “Put in the contract and watch the Glory of the Lord!” I answered (a true Pastor Mason-ism). They accepted our contract.

 

        Now that the contract was signed, I realized that Spring City Regeneration Church didn’t exist yet as a legal entity. Bob Snyder, a local attorney, helped us with that. After prayer, the founding board was Roy Thompson, John Applebach, Tina Burdette, Kristy Caruso, Bill Beck, and me. On October 11, 2019, Spring City Regeneration Church had a building. On October 13, 2019, we held our first service with over 60 souls in attendance.

 

        The synopsis here is simply what God did.  The visions he gave. The faithfulness he maintained. The vision, birthed in 2016, had occurred in HIS time. Not mine. Every time I tried to take control, I failed. When I let go and let God… He brought forth His vision in His time.

 

        We are simply people who love the Lord. We are people following a vision that God has given for this area. Working together for the good of our community.

 

        And me? I’m just an old cop who plays the drums, and listened to God, who trusted me with a vision, and who is surrounded by people who want to do nothing but serve and love others. To God be the Glory.

 

-Bill Burdette, just the drummer