While he is still figuring out how to work the lights and how to run the drinking fountains, senior pastor David White is humbled by the phase one completion of NorthPark Community Church - a dream that was 15 years in the making.

"I've networked with a lot of other pastors and they all have dreams; but none of them come true unless you have hundreds and hundreds of people who embrace that vision," said White, as he sat in the midst of the multi-faceted church that will serve as a place of worship and fellowship for members and a resource for the community.

The nondenominational Christian church, located in the Rye Canyon Business Loop in Valencia, will host hundreds of members and special guests for its official ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. The church invites the public to celebrate with them.

Strip mall days are over
After 10 years of meeting in a 7,000 square feet retail spot within a strip mall off Bouquet Canyon Road, the 2,000-plus congregants moved to their permanent home at 28310 Kelly Johnson Parkway on May 17. The building of phase-one alone measures 47,000 square feet.

While it will be at least three years before the last two phases of the church-community center are complete, White is glad the church's strip-mall days are over.

So is Eric Johns, associate pastor of the church's small groups.

"Before, we were next to a liquor store and had the smell of perm solution from the nail (salon) wafting in," said Johns, 35, of Valencia. Church and faith is not about a building, Johns said, but he does get "a lot of joy from seeing the smiles on (people's) faces that this is their church."

The first phase alone was a $20 million project, one that could not have been possible without a generous congregation, White said.

"Every dollar that went into this facility was somebody just giving it, people working hard and writing that extra check," White said.

Not just a church
Before the vision began to take shape, White said he met with city officials to seek out resident needs. He learned that what was lacking in the community was a preschool, emergency services, athletic venues, meeting spots for local groups, venues for social gatherings, weddings, funerals and more.

"I love this community and the people who live here and wanted to find a way to give back," said White, who was raised in Santa Clarita.

"The people in town need encouragement in times like these; we can offer them a hug and handshake, some great events for kids and families and a special place to gather."

The church hosted its first wedding on Saturday in the Celebration Center, which holds 700 people and is currently where Sunday services are taking place.

Phase one alone hosts at least four possible venues for weddings, including a traditional chapel with stained-glass windows, balcony and 100 seats.

Phase one, which is called "The Bridge," also hosts 15 classrooms used for Sunday school during the weekend. These will transform into classrooms for Trinity Classical Academy during the upcoming fall semester.

There are three adult meeting rooms that will serve church members and staff, as well as community groups such as Boy Scouts, Alcoholics Anonymous, young mothers groups, mentoring programs and those seeking a gathering space.

Phase two will bring a gym, lockers, a restaurant and banquet facilities.

Phase three will feature the main worship center that will seat 3,000. To top it off, the center courtyard of the campus will be highlighted by an elaborate water fountain.

Meaningful church design
While the church will be a place for nonmembers to gather, many details about the church's design will draw the attention of believers.

As members enter Heritage Hall, they will symbolically embark on a Christian journey as they first walk under low ceilings with mirrored tablets inscribed with the 10 Commandments.

This will lead into the Promise Circle, which features both Old and New Testament verses in the tile. Natural light shines onto the Promise Circle through skylights built into the high ceiling. Eventually, a mural depicting Christ's life will loom above the Promise Circle.

A grand staircase, with deep red carpeting and intricate scrolled ironwork, leads down to the Promise Circle.

The ironwork aims to symbolize maturing and multiplying, or roots and ripples, because the church encourages its members to grow their roots and then impact the lives of others, White said.

And the two sides of the staircase meeting at the bottom symbolize grace and truth coming together.

"Some churches are truthful but a little harsh, some churches are gracious but don't really stand for much, we try to have both," White said.

It was also important for the design to embrace traditional aspects of church, such as the chapel and steeple - which will come in the future - while still obtaining a modern facility, he said.

A place to love and be loved
"To me, in the Christian life, a lot boils down to the capacity to be loved and love others. A lot of that just comes through people hugging you and checking in," White said.

After more than a decade of dreaming about it, and about a year of building, White watches as that vision comes to fruition.
"People's weeks are brutal, and to see people actually coming in, people hugging and sitting down in leather chairs - I'm glad they have a place to go," he said.