Vienna Assembly of God
100 Ayrhill Avenue N.E.
Vienna, VA
703.938.7736
Yeaisay@aol.com
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Thank you for being interested in
Vienna Assembly of God.
Mission statement:
"Loving God, Loving Others and Loving Life "
Hi, I am Pastor Burns. I have found that many people like information on who we are as a church and what we believe as a church, but they would like that information without feeling pressure in any way.
Our way of presenting this information is through this informal visit. I will present it as if we were sitting together in your living room. In my years of ministry, my most meaningful moments have been in home visitation, and the following information is that which most people have asked about the church and myself.
I have been Pastor of this church since November of 1987. Following the Lord's will there have been quite a few setbacks, yet God has always proven faithful. Before coming to Vienna I served Faith Tabernacle Assembly of God in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as Assistant Pastor for five years. During that time I was active in various ministries and saw the church grow from 600 to three thousand. I served under the same senior pastor when he was in Montgomery, Alabama, for two years as assistant at First Assembly of God, and two years in a volunteer capacity. Before that I served for six years in an independent church in Tampa, Florida, as a volunteer minister serving the youth and children.
I have three children. My first born, Rachel, graduated from James Madison High School, then University of Richmond with an International Studies Degree, and is married to Tom Kraft. Tom has just recently reentered civilian life after serving in the US Army for 6 years. Tom and Rachel gave us our first grandchild, Rebecca Emily, February 12, 2003, and our second, Lydia Grace, October 2, 2005.
Daniel graduated from James Madison High School in 2001 and then moved on to Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee where he graduated in May 2005. He studied percussion with a degree in Commercial Music. He is making his home in Nashville and pursuing opportunities in music with his band, The Biv.
Catherine graduated from James Madison High School in June 2005, where she used her talents in the Madison Band, playing the flute, and was active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and in Vienna Assembly of God's children's ministry team and worship team. Catherine attends Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois and is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.
My wife's name is Brenda, and she serves the church as head of our music ministry. She graduated from the BIS program at George Mason University with honors. She now works full time for the Potomac District Council of the Assemblies of God.
As for me, I enjoy the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, running and biking. This is my time of refreshing, seeking the Lord, and entering into God's rest. I am active in the community, and help with my kids' (and now grandkids') interests, whether volunteering as a coach or mentor. To read more about my story of surviving cancer, follow this link.
Vienna AG's History
Now for a little history of the church. Vienna Assembly of God began in 1944 in the midst of World War II. It began in a storefront building along Dominion Street with a handful of believers under the leadership of Rev. Clyde Lee. I have been told that the Assembly of God church in Leesburg, VA is the church that had the vision to begin our church. As the congregation grew they purchased this property from the Town of Vienna and built a basement sanctuary to house the small congregation. It remained as a small basement, flat-leveled church for years, and in the early days it was common for people to drive by and throw rocks and bottles on top of the church disrupting services. The area of our fellowship hall is the original basement sanctuary. In 1954 the upper level sanctuary was added. As God continued to bless the church in the early 1960's under Rev. Anderson Phillips' leadership, the platform was expanded, and the two lower floor levels of educational space were added. There is over 11,000 sq. Ft of floor space and since the church was built over three decades in different phases, it is easy to become lost. If you do, keep walking and eventually you will find what you are looking for.
Vienna AG today
I have observed that Sunday morning church can sometimes be the most separated time for families. Our children's ministry includes worshipping with parents and siblings during Sunday morning worship time followed by their own church service. I believe children need to be exposed to the worship life in church alongside their parents. I believe it is a part of the Christian life. I have raised all my kids here in the church and our children's' and youth ministries have been effective in nurturing their spiritual life. We believe children can have a full experience in God's wonderful plan for their life. We not only allow, but also encourage, the children to be disciples of Christ and to minister the things of God to their community and friends. Our ministry philosophy includes the children as ministers. They have visited the elderly who cannot travel outside their home, they have ministered to shopping centers through song and testimony, and they have ministered to onlookers along the parade route of the Halloween parade and Viva Vienna Festival. Our children have been known to serve as ushers and greeters and be helpers to any ministry in the church. We believe and practice the concept that children can flow with God's spirit and be able ministers of God's grace.
Your interest in the church is a sign of God's goodness that carries with it the possibility of new and enduring friendships. My prayer and hope is that you will feel that Vienna Assembly of God is to be your church home. I believe you may be a key person that God will use in this church. This church has been truly blessed by God. We have all the benefits of an older established congregation. We have our own property and all our facilities are paid for and all our bills are current. We also have all the benefits of a new congregation, with openness for you and your family to find a place of meaningful ministry. I really do believe our best years are ahead.
