City Legacy Brochure

LEGACY BUILDING WITH PASTORS LUIS & YESENIA BURGOS

Dear City Wide Family,

Welcome to the City Legacy Project! Over the past 38 years of our history, God has done some amazing things through City Wide Church. We firmly believe that we have only begun to see the purposes and plans of God unfold for this house and for you. Each member of our family and friends has an opportunity to help by partnering in this next miracle the Lord wants to do to advance the kingdom. City Wide Church, we are entering into a season of purpose, promise, and partnership together.

Pastor Yesenia and I want to invite you on a spiritual journey of sacrifice that requires God-sized faith, alongside our family, as we walk through new doors God has opened for us; a brand-new building for City Wide Church. That which has been long awaited is quickly approaching! Through the City Legacy Project, we can partner with the Lord to continue our soul-saving legacy in Bridgeport like never before.

When we read scripture, we see that all of God’s work on the earth requires human partnership. In most cases, it requires great sacrifice that took men out of their place of comfort and into the unknown. Yet, those sacrificial exploits still echo through history today, as we retell the stories of great men like David and Elijah or women like Esther and Mary, the mother of our Lord.

As you read the information contained in this brochure, our hope and prayer are that you can be filled with vision, hope, and joy. We pray that you, like us and our three children, will recognize the unique position the Lord has placed us in: To build something for the kingdom that will last generations.

For years we have maximized our humble and beloved 857 Howard Avenue in Bridgeport, Connecticut. We have been patient and have had stubborn faith to stay in the city that we are called to. Our services regularly are in overflow, our parking lot is always full, and God keeps sending sons and daughters to His house. Yet, the time has finally come to make more room!

Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.

Isaiah 54:2-3

Our ask of you is simple: Seek, listen, and obey. As you read this, ask Jesus for eyes of faith! Then, seek the Lord for what he is asking you to do. Take the time to listen with your family. This type of spiritual journey requires listening hearts of radical faith. Then, when the time comes, obey! Obey with radical faith and immediate obedience. Let us continue this journey of legacy-building together. Our future depends on it.

Senior Pastor Luis Burgos

EVERY LEGACY BEGINS WITH A PROMISE

THISISONLYTHEBEGINNING

In late October of 1984, in a seemingly average three-family home on Fairfield Avenue in the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, a church was birthed that was destined to impact the city for the glory of God. Forged from the fires of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, a handful of families felt led by the Lord to start a new church they named Ejercito Victorioso De Dios (God's Victorious Army).

For the first three years of its existence, the ministry was a house church with 25 members, and they began to look for a building that could meet the needs of their ministry.

This is where it all began, in a house on 2453 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT

Pictured Above: Senior Pastor Felix Burgos, founder of God's Victorious Army Church. Pastor Felix passed in February 2008. His son, Pastor Luis Burgos, took over the pastorship and has led since.

BUILD ROOTS FOR THE FUTURE.

DO NOT DESPISE THESE SMALL BEGINNINGS, FOR THE LORD REJOICES TO SEE THE WORK BEGIN.

ZECHARIAH4:10

Founder & Senior Pastor Felix Burgos of God's Victorious Army Church in the 1312 State Street, Bridgeport location This was the church's first building before moving to 857 Howard Avenue in Bridgeport

A NEW NAME

In 2012, two significant events occurred that drove City Wide Church toward greater growth.

First, Pastor Luis Burgos received a larger vision for the church from the Lord that intersected with his passion for the city of Bridgeport. The vision, aimed to reach beyond the local Howard Avenue neighborhood, became City Wide's new mission: To be the greatest soul-saving effort Bridgeport has ever seen. With this new mission at hand, God's Victorious Army became City Wide Church (CWC).

Secondly, CWC transitioned to a mobile model and began holding services at Bassick High School in Bridgeport in response to their exponential growth. Despite the logistical and financial obstacles, the leaders were convinced God had placed this call on their hearts. These years were significant in teaching us to be adaptable.

Following this experience, in 2015, the church relocated to the Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport, where attendance grew to approximately 400 people each Sunday, thanks to the increased faith in the Lord. Despite the challenges of being a mobile church, it helped to form and shape the identity and values of City Wide Church, and it remains a crucial part of our story today. 2 0 1 2 -

The City Wide Worship team preparing to minister on a Sunday morning service at Bassick High School City Wide Church used Bassick's auditorium for worship services from 2012 to 2015

C I T YW I D E I M P A C T

195+ volunteers

350+ members

Planting seeds all over the city

Over the years, City Wide Church has held services, campaigns, and festivals all over the city of Bridgeport The time has come to move somewhere new

City Wide Church - Howard Avenue City Wide Church - Howard Avenue

Bridgeport, CT

Bassick High School Bassick High School

The Klein Memorial The Klein Memorial

Webster Bank Arena Bank Arena

Seaside Park Park

FAITHFUL TODAY, GRATEFUL TOMORROW

In 2020, the Lord began to stir in the heart of Pastor Luis to invite Pastors Leonard and Mary Green, of Amazing Grace Church in Bridgeport, to integrate congregations and merge ministries. Through prayer and many confirmations, City Wide and Amazing Grace Church became one in February of 2021, expanding our resources and extending our reach within the city.

In 2022, City Wide birthed a new ministry that reflected its former roots by adding City Wide Español, led by Pastor Marie Perez. The ministry is an integral part of our church culture, allowing the Spanish-speaking community to receive the same experience as those who attend our English services. The ministry meets every Sunday for worship services and Tuesdays for prayer nights.

LCityegacy

IPLANTEDTHESEED,APOLLOSWATEREDIT,BUTGODHASBEENMAKINGIT GROW.SONEITHERTHEONEWHOPLANTSNORTHEONEWHOWATERSIS ANYTHING,BUTONLYGOD,WHOMAKESTHINGSGROW.

1CORINTHIANS3:6-7

BUILDING A LEGACY THAT LASTS

Our Future Our Future

At City Wide Church, we want to build a legacy that continues on for generations. As we embark on this journey, some may be wondering, "Why now?," and "Why THIS project?" The answer is simple: God has given us the keys to the city of Bridgeport, and it's time for us to start walking into new doors.

At City Wide Church, we have a passion for soul-saving efforts and creating generational impact. We have seen God's faithfulness in overflowing our services with an ever-growing congregation. It's time to make room for more individuals so that God can deposit His grace into the lives of people.

A new home for City Wide Church awaits. Can you dream with us and envision a place where we can expand for years to come?

We envision building a church that lasts for generations to come, with ample space for our quickly growing City Kids, Bridge 58, and City Youth ministries. Additionally, the Lord has called us to open a 24/7 House of Prayer in the spirit of David's Tabernacle. Imagine a place of perpetual worship and praise unto the Lord, where the fire of God never goes out.

As a church, we need to expand our discipleship ministries and revive our Christian Education program within City Wide Church, but space constraints have hindered our efforts. The Lord is stirring in our hearts to open a School of Ministry to equip and disciple the next generation of leaders and ministers of the Gospel.

The purpose of this foundation is to build a church that leaves a legacy in Bridgeport that our children can hold and carry on. We cannot accomplish this alone; we need partnership. Just as Jesus' miracles in the New Testament required partnership, we believe the City Legacy Project will require the collective efforts of our church community.

So let us dream together, with the Lord leading the way, as we create Bridgeport's largest soul-saving effort and a church that will impact generations to come. Let's make room for the vision God has placed in our hearts and trust Him to provide the resources and partnerships needed to make it a reality.

With God's help and our collective efforts, we will build a legacy that will last for generations to come.

VISION CASTING

Below you'll find City Wide Church's vision for the next chapter in our story. We invite you to write YOUR vision for our church in this next chapter.

CWC'S VISION YOUR VISION

PROMISE

God has given us the keys to the city of Bridgeport. Let’s start opening doors.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this spiritual journey is to build a church that leaves a legacy in Bridgeport that our children can hold and carry on.

PARTNERSHIP

We can't do this without YOU! Where do you see yourself playing a role in building the CWC legacy?

A HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

City Wide Church is ready to move into a new season of promise, purpose, and partnership.

We invite you to partner with us as we move forward toward a new home.

OUR LEGACY IS

LIMITLESS

ANDTHENGODANSWERED:

“WRITETHIS.WRITEWHATYOUSEE.WRITEITOUTINBIGBLOCKLETTERSSOTHATIT CANBEREADONTHERUN.THISVISIONMESSAGEISAWITNESSPOINTINGTOWHAT’S COMING.ITACHESFORTHECOMING—ITCANHARDLYWAIT!ANDITDOESN’TLIE.IFIT SEEMSSLOWINCOMING,WAIT.IT’SONITSWAY.ITWILLCOMERIGHTONTIME. HABAKKUK2:2-3 (MSG)

The Klein Memorial in Bridgeport, CT City Wide Church utilized this location for many services over the years since June 2015

BUILD YOUR LEGACY TREE

GLUE PHOTOS OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE TREE BELOW.

YOUR DAD

YOUR MOM

YOUR CHILDREN

YOU --OR-YOU & YOUR SPOUSE

YOUR CHILDREN

YOUR CHILDREN

A foundation for our future. A foundation for our future.

YOUR CHILDREN

OUR FAMILY PLANS TO BUILD A LEGACY AT CITY WIDE CHURCH BY:

OUR FAMILY PLANS TO PARTNER WITH CITY WIDE CHURCH BY:

SHARE YOUR LEGACY.

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR

PARTNER WITH US.

Having established that the cornerstone of our future is partnership, our ask of you is simple: seek, listen, and obey. Our prayer is that you possess a faithful outlook and that you diligently pursue the Lord's guidance in what He is calling you to do.

Join us in praying for the City Legacy Project with the help of our specially curated prayer brochure! Don't forget to pick up your copy filled with useful prompts and guidance.

Giving

There are various ways to partner with the City Legacy Project.

Commitment Card

Whether you are giving online or in-person, filling out a commitment card is an essential tool to prayerfully setting your giving goal and staying connected to the vision.

HERE'S HOW TO CONTINUE OUR IMPACT IN BRIDGEPORT.

To ensure your donation goes to the correct fund, please use a City Wide giving envelope and write "City Legacy Project" if donating with cash If donating by check, simply write "City Legacy Project" in the memo area.

Online Giving Through Pushpay

1. 2.

Download the CWC app or give directly through Pushpay

Enter your desired amount and select your frequnecy of giving. Select a start date.

Choose "City Legacy" under the Fund option.

CONTACT US