Habakkuk 2:2-3 (Message Paraphrase)

And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.

The vision of The Reach has been a faith-filled journey from the very beginning. This is not just a good idea we are asking God to bless—The Reach is something rooted in the heart of God, and He has invited us to join Him in it!

• 2019:

  Pastor Justin sensed God leading him to pray into a new idea. New Life Church had already been serving the community of Biddeford through various events, but God was stirring a deeper desire—a call to establish a physical presence in the city’s downtown. This would be more than just an event; it would be a sustained expression of helping people in the name of Jesus for the glory of God.

• May 2023:

  A prophetic word from Pastor Vinu Paul confirmed what Pastor Justin had been sensing. He shared: “I see you in front of a large blank canvas, hesitant to paint. But I hear the Lord saying, ‘Son, just start painting. Have fun with it. Paint with all the colors! Make a mess of it, and I will make an art of it.’” This was a confirmation to begin to speak the vision of a hope center in Biddeford out loud.

• June 2023:

  Pastor Justin publicly shared the vision for a hope center in downtown Biddeford for the first time. Within just two weeks, over $300,000 was generously given to support this vision.

• August 2023:

  A steering team of six was formed to seek God’s guidance for the next steps. They embarked on a “listening tour,” meeting with government officials, ER nurses, teachers, business owners, sober house managers, and many others in the community. The goal was to learn about the greatest needs in Biddeford and explore how the church could help meet them. The key needs that were identified were mental health support, addiction recovery support, and parenting support and education. Through these conversations, the vision of The Reach began to take shape as a place where the church would come alongside the brokenhearted, the under-resourced, and the vulnerable. The church has always been salt and light. Salt is only good when it is poured out of the shaker. Light is only good when it shines in the darkness.The Reach became an opportunity for the church to step out of the building and pastor the city, offering hope to those in need.

• January 2024:

  The steering team took a trip to Los Angeles to tour The LA Dream Center and Homeboy Industries. This was a formative trip for them to expand the vision beyond what they could see or imagine.

• August 2024:

  After a year of prayer, planning, and preparation, the property at 118 Alfred Street was put under contract. The story of how this has come to be is a miraculous story all its own!

  

• November 21, 2024:

  We officially closed on this building with a cash offer, thanks to the incredible generosity of so many who have given to this vision! Now the work begins!