Venture Church exists to connect all people into a real relationship with Jesus. As with every new venture we take in life, it all begins with a story. Here is ours.
The word "Venture" means to attempt something audacious or to take a big risk. In 2017, four families did just that. They felt God calling them to start a life giving church devoted to helping all people find new life in Christ. Led by Pastor Shaun Olsen and his wife Angela, they began planning a church that would intentionally cross cultural and generational boundaries: one that would bring people from all walks of life together into the family of Christ.
This idea proved contagious, and by the end summer of 2017, these 4 families relocated to Bluffton to turn this vision into reality. After an initial interest meeting that drew 24 people to a neighborhood clubhouse, Venture Church was set to launch on September 23rd, 2018, at Pritchardville Elementary. It wasn’t long before that small group of 15 had grown into a team of over 50 people. These teams of volunteers will transform Pritchardville Elementary every Sunday into a place of worship and community, a place where people of all races and beliefs could come and encounter God.
Venture Church is a life-giving church with a heart and passion for the Lowcountry. We are committed to sharing the love and hope of Jesus through Bible-centered teaching and community. People of all ages, and backgrounds come together on Sunday mornings to pursue God through the worship experience and VC Kids.
So we INVITE you to VENTURE with us.
Shaun Olsen is the founding and lead pastor of Venture Church. He and his wife Angela have recently returned to the Lowcountry after spending the last 10 years in Pennsylvania. Shaun and Angela met in Charleston and consider South Carolina to be their home.
Shaun is a passionate leader who loves life and laughter, and is driven by his desire to make the most of every opportunity. Together they are dedicated to showing people the love of Jesus and helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ. They share a deep desire for spreading the good news of God’s love and serving the people of the Lowcountry.
Shaun and Angela have two energetic boys, Collin and Jeremiah. They enjoy raising their family in the Lowcountry and look forward to the years ahead.
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 89, Psalm 105, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 22:29, Romans 15:4, John 5:39, John 16:13-15, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 1:1-2, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:25, 2 Peter 3:16
God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 61:1, Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 1:35, John 5:21-23, John 14:10, John 14:16, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 1:8-10, James 2:19
God is great; He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. It is in Him that we live, move, and exist. God is good; He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
Exodus 3:14, Numbers 23:19, Leviticus 11:44-45, Leviticus 19:2, Psalm 11:4-6, Malachi 3:6, John 3:16, John 4:24, John 5:26, Acts 17:28, Romans 3:3-4
Jesus Christ is completely human, but at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life so that He could be a substitution of sacrifice for the debt of our sins. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we could have life.
Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 53, Matthew 1:18-23, Matthew 3:17, Matthew 8:29, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 16:16, Matthew 28:5-6, Luke 22:70, Luke 24:46-47, John 1:1, John 14, John 10:30, John 11:25-27, John 17:1-5, Acts 1:9; Acts 2:22-24, Acts 7:55-56, Romans 1:3-4, Romans 3:23-26, Romans 8:1-3, Romans 10:4, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, Galatians 4:4-5, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:15, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, 1 Timothy 3:16
The Holy Spirit's presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ.
Genesis 1:2, Psalm 51:11, Psalm 139:7, Isaiah 61:1-3, Joel 2:28-32, Mark 1:10, Luke 1:35, Luke 4:1, Luke 11:13, Luke 12:12, John 15:26, John 16:7-14, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 13:2, Romans 8:9-11, Romans 8:4-16, Romans 8:26-27, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Peter 1:21, Revelation 22:17
Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation. Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort. Every human's personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119: 105, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 22:29, Romans 15:4, John 5:39, John 16:13-15, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 1:1-2, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:25, 2 Peter 3:16
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.
Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 53:5-6, Isaiah 55:7, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 27:22-28:6, Luke 1:68-69, Luke 2:28-32, John 1:12, John 3:16, John 5:24, Acts 2:21, Acts 4:12, Acts 16:30-31, Romans 1:16-18, Romans 3:23-25, Romans 5:8-10, Romans 5:6, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 2:12-13, Hebrews 9:24-28, Revelation 3:20
Jesus spoke of two types of baptism—water baptism and Spirit baptism. Jesus Himself was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. After His water baptism, the Spirit descended upon Jesus. We should follow the example of Jesus and be baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 61:1, Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 1:35, John 5:21-23, John 14:10, John 14:16, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Hebrews 1:8-10, James 2:19
Water baptism is an outward expression of an inward transformation. Following being born-again, the Word of God instructs believers to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:36-38, Acts 10:47-48
Given at Pentecost, it is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His ascension, to empower the Church to preach the Gospel throughout the whole earth.
Joel 2:28-29, Matthew 3:11, Mark 16:17, Acts 1:5, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:17, Acts 2:38-39, Acts 8:14-17, Acts 10:38, Acts 10:44-47, Acts 11:15-17, Acts 19:1-6
We take communion as a sign of our relationship with Jesus. This is a unique time of reverence in the presence of God when the elements of bread and juice represent the body and the blood of Jesus. These elements are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Matthew 26:26-29, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
Holiness is God’s standard of living for His people. We may stumble along our path, but as born-again believers, we should always pursue a life of purity and righteousness. This is an ongoing process and it is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, Romans 8:29, Romans 12:1-2, Hebrews 2:11
The Church is a local community of born-again believers, unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
Matthew 16:18-19, Matthew 18:15-20, Acts 2:41-47, Acts 5:11-14, Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:23, Acts 16:5, Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 7:17, 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, 1 Corinthians 9:12, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 3:10-12, Ephesians 5:22-32, Colossians 1:18, Colossians 3:15, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Revelation 21:2-3
Jesus said He would return for His Church, and He will. We believe Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to Earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures.
Matthew 24:30, Matthew 26:63-64, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, Revelation 1:7
Man was created to exist forever. He will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, John 3:36, Romans 6:23, 1 John 2:25, 1 John 5:11-13, Revelation 20:15
When you come to Venture, you can expect to be welcomed into a friendly, positive environment by people who are genuinely excited to see you. Our worship experience lasts about an hour, is filled with great music, and includes an inspiring message from the Bible by our pastor. Arrive a few minutes early to grab a hot cup of coffee on us!
Sundays will quickly become your family’s favorite day of the week. Our age-specific lessons will ensure that your child has a ton of fun as they learn about Jesus. Our venture kids team is committed to providing an environment that is clean, safe and fun for your children while you enjoy the worship experience.
