Our History

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Pastor Curtis Gibson grew up in Central Virginia and was thrilled to be invited to pastor a church in the area in 1986.  Over the next few years, many encouraged him and his wife, Eileen, to pioneer a church in Charlottesville.  In April of 1990, they began a weekly bible study at Albemarle High School.  With a core group and a newspaper ad that read WANTED: Spirit filled believers to form Word of Faith Church, the first service was held July 22, 1990. 

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In October 1993, we purchased our current building on Lambs Road, across from Albemarle High School. We paid the mortgage in full in less than 10 years. 

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Pastor Curt died suddenly in October 1997 and Pastor Eileen guided the church through this difficult season. She married Terry Lehmann in 2000. He was ordained in 2004 and left his secular job in 2006 to pastor full-time with Eileen. 

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In 2006, a Latino Ministry was birthed with Associate Pastor Rich Hubbard and his wife, Judy. This bilingual ministry became Rios de Agua Viva in January 2010. We were excited to be part of planting and supporting this work.

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Early 2015 brought both a new name, Connect Church, and a new look.  Our name reflects a new mandate to connect with ministries and our community. We share our facilities with local churches, para-church ministries and other community organizations. 

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In the fall of 2025, Pastor Terry, while continuing to remain involved in Connect Church, invited Pastor Trent Walker to become the lead pastor. Pastor Trent, a worship leader, speaker, and singer-songwriter with his wife Siobhan had been living in an RV since 2015 with their five boys so they could travel the country in an evangelistic endeavor, going from church to church, community to community, and mission to mission, "doing whatever we can to make the world better" (see the June 21, 2021 article in Business Insider about Trent and Siobhan Walker's traveling ministry). The Walker family has parked their RV and are now living in a home not far from the church.

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As a part of the Body of Christ, we are making history in Charlottesville and Central Virginia!

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1990: April Bible Study began at AHS and the first church service was July 22nd

 

1993: Land and building next to AHS purchased in October

 

1997: Pastor Curt graduated to heaven

 

2000: Pastor Terry and Eileen married

 

2002: The building mortgage paid in full

 

2004: Pastor Terry gets ordained

 

2010: Rios de Agua Viva planted

 

2015: With a new name and a face-lift, Connect Church is ready to make new history!

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2024: Pastor Eileen Lehmann graduated to heaven

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2025: Pastor Trent Walker becomes lead pastor; Pastor Terry reduces his role.