A vision fulfilled

All Saints’ arrived at its current Gideon Drive location through the power of prayer, God’s provision and God’s timing. It’s a testament to God’s ability to do the unimaginable in a way that defies human reason.

The story occurs in three stages, starting with John Guernsey, All Saints’ rector at the time.

During a week-long Restoring the Foundations retreat in early March, 2001, John sought inner healing for an ungodly belief. He knew All Saints’ had outgrown its building on Saratoga Lane in Woodbridge. But he struggled to believe he could lead a larger congregation at a new building.

The retreat helped John address that stronghold and paved the way toward something bigger.. Upon returning home, John took most of the following week off to pray through his RTF experience.

It was during this time that the Lord unfolded a vision to him in great detail. He shared it first with the vestry, many of whom burst into tears. Then he shared it with the staff and the same reaction occurred.

The following Sunday (March 19), he presented the vision to the congregation; the response was an immediate, "Well, of course, this is what God wants for us.”

From there, everything fell into place in just under two months.

First, All Saints’ needed to find land to build the new church on. Through prayer and fasting, the vestry sought God’s guidance. The church also contacted Bill Burke, a realtor with Long and Foster. 

Bill, who was recommended by All Saints’ bishop based on his experience working with churches, began looking for possible sites. But, with few exceptions, nothing was available. The Gideon Drive property was considered, but Bill was told it was under contract.

At this point, God clearly intervened and the third part of this story occurs.  

Shelby Boldt, the executive director then of Hylton Chapel, told the owner of the Gideon Drive property that All Saints’ was looking for land. On April 25, 2001, the owner’s realtor called John and expressed interest in selling to All Saints.’ This was unheard of. 

Usually, the broker calls the client’s broker. Rarely, if ever, do they contact the client directly, let alone then offer a piece of land at a reduced rate. 

At the time, the owner of the Gideon Drive property, which was next door to Hylton Chapel, had an offer of $5.4 million from a commercial group to build a sports complex and hockey rink there.

But the owner preferred selling the land to a church. And, he was willing to sell it for $2.7 million, half of what he would have received from the other group. Five days after the realtor for the Gideon Drive land called John, the vestry held a special meeting and approved the purchase of the 27-acre property. On May 17, All Saints’ had a contract on the property.

In less than two months, God answered All Saints’ prayer in the most amazing way.