Vero Bible Fellowship
Simple and pure devotion to Christ
Our Story
During a time of seeking God for direction for his next phase of ministry, God revealed to Pastor Greg Sempsrott that his calling to minister to the people of Indian River County remained strong and clear. With this emboldened heart for the people of the area, God impressed upon Greg the idea of a unique approach to building Vero Bible Fellowship upon the foundation of a simple and pure devotion to Christ.
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A church where the Pastor serves as one of the Elders, not in a position of exclusive authority but as a member of a leadership team.
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A church where the people enter into a covenant with one another as members of a body rather than signing a membership agreement under the authority of the church.
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A church where the Word of God is taught intentionally, verse by verse.
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A church that is a group of people exercising a simple and pure devotion to Christ.
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A church with a desire to reach out to the large percentage of Indian River County residents who do not have a church home.
Believing that a church which is characterized by these things can have an effective testimony and outreach in the community and the world, Vero Bible Fellowship was born – a family of followers of Jesus Christ that is committed to one another to study God’s Word, worship Him, and minister together.
What does it mean to be a Christian?
It’s more than identifying with a particular religion or a specific system of values. To be a Christian requires that you fully embrace what the Bible teaches about God, man, and salvation. Notedly…
God is our Creator and He is Sovereign - The Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. Scripture teaches that Jesus created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He is owner and ruler over everything (Psalm 103:19). That also means that God has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
God Is Holy - He is absolute, perfect, and holy (Isaiah 6:3). This means that God cannot commit or approve of evil. And God requires that we follow Him in holiness, as well. “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16
All of mankind is sinful - There is no man who does not sin (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).
There is a penalty for the sin - God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death (Ezekiel 18:4). That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
The Character of Saving Faith - True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9), then pursuing Christ (Matthew 11: 28-30; John 17:3), and obeying Him (1 John 2:3). It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).
Jesus Christ – While man is utterly helpless to save himself, God the Father sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to save sinners from the punishment that all deserve. Jesus bore the sin of mankind and the wrath of God against sin in His death on the cross. He is the Lamb of God who became man’s substitute on the cross. Jesus rose from the dead and displayed his power over death and sin then He ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, where He reigns and intercedes for Christians today. Man is saved by faith alone in the blood and life of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel
Ministry
Opportunities
at
Vero Bible Fellowship
At Vero Bible Fellowship we enjoy a simple and pure devotion to Christ within a multi-generational congregation. We enjoy many rich opportunities to serve and learn together no matter our ages or stages in life. You will find our families joined together during our time of worship because we believe in the value of incorporating children into the life of the church. You will also discover we strive to include classic hymns as well as modern worship songs in our worship services because we want to prefer one another in all that we do.
Within our church we have many ways to serve and connect through various ministry teams:
Children's Ministries
Men's Ministries
Missions Ministries
Prayer Ministries
Student Ministries
Women's Ministries
Worship Ministries
VBF Kids Ministries
Vero Bible Fellowship's VBF Kids Ministry department is dedicated to raising up and training our children in the Word of God. We have a strong desire to equip our children in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ by providing opportunities to learn Biblical truths, to pray, and to serve each other and our community. It is our hope that our children will want to come back each Sunday where they feel loved, valued, and cared for.
--Sherry Fraser, VBF Kids Ministry Director
Core Values at VBF
A High View of God
Worship God
At VBF we are committed to having a high view of God and we exercise our commitment to this through worshiping God.
1 Chronicles 16:23-31
A High View of Fellowship
Love One Another
Just by reading the name of our church, you can see the high value we place on fellowship within Vero Bible Fellowship. We definitely love one another!
Romans 12:9-10
A High View of the Absolute
Authority of Scripture
Obey His Word
The core message from God's word is at the center of all we teach, all the songs we sing, and all the gatherings we host.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
2 Timothy 3:16
A High View of the Gospel
Reach the Lost
At Vero Bible Fellowship we strive to equip believers so that each person has effective understanding of Scriptures so they can share their faith and reach the lost.
Mark 16:15
A High View of Sound Doctrine
Make Disciples
At VBF we realize that we were not given the amazing story of the Gospel so that we could keep it for ourselves. As followers of Christ we are called to be people who help others grow in their faith and devotion to God through the act of discipleship.
Titus 2:1
2 Timothy 2:2
Leadership at VBF
Greg Sempsrott
Lead Pastor
Elder team member
I am so excited for what God is doing at VBF and am humbled and thankful for the privilege of joining this team of elders in lovingly feeding and caring for this body of believers!
Sherry Fraser
VBF Kids Ministry Director
My passion is to show the next generation who God is! I am committed to partnering with families in teaching children to honor and love God's Word and to grow an authentic faith in Jesus. I also love working with our team of volunteers who have the mission to love and engage kids!
Doug Hampson
Elder Team Member
My passion for VBF is to see God worshiped in truth and spirit and to see His children truly know and understand God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit through sound biblical teaching and preaching. I want people to come to love our Father to such an extent that seeking His face is their greatest joy and desire. When God is the source of all we want, we won’t rely on others to fill a space that only He can fill.
Bill McLellan
Founding Elder
Team Member
My passion for ministry is: “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) I am His vessel and desire to be used. My prayer is that people see Jesus through me.
We were saddened to say goodbye to Bill in July when he went to Heaven much sooner than we could have imagined. He was the heart and the hug of VBF.
Scott Walker
Elder Team Member
My passion for Vero Bible Fellowship is simply this: to see people grow in their relationship with Christ, to be His disciples, and to reach the lost.
Brenton Wade
Associate Pastor,
Worship ministries & Student Ministries
Elder Team Member
I am passionate about helping people of all ages devote their lives to God and worship His glory. My aim is to proclaim “Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2) in all that we do.
Rey Garcia
associate pastor, Men's Ministry & Pastoral Care
Elder Team Member
My passion for our body is shepherding through the ministry of eldership by teaching, loving, and caring for our members so that our body can attain full, spiritual maturity.
Bruce Berlin
Elder Team Member
I am passionate about coming beside people to encourage them in their faith and to help them to experience the love of Jesus.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Marshall Pennell
Elder Team Member
From childhood I learned from my Pastor/Missionary parents the importance of missions and the value of being part of a solid, Bible teaching church. A career in ministry leadership and consulting only solidifies those deeply held convictions. Jessica and I are blessed to be a part of the wonderful family at Vero Bible Fellowship.
Debra Walker
Communications & Administrative Director
It is my great joy and privilege to communicate VBF's vision of a simple and pure devotion to Christ as well to share all the news concerning what is happening within our congregation each week. My prayer is that our sharing the hope and joy of Christ through the weekly newsletter and social media accounts blesses each person who reads them.