It All Begins with A Story
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.
Our Story
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 in the summer of 2017, these 4 families relocated to Bluffton to turn this vision into a reality. It wasn’t long before that small group had grown into a Dream Team of over 50 people who worked hard to transform Pritchardville Elementary School 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 launched on September 23rd, 2018 with 398 people in attendance. Since that date over 800 people have given their life to Jesus at Venture.
Through the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Venture was forced to be audacious to continue in our mission to see every man, woman, and child encounter Jesus in a life-changing way. We gathered in 14 spaces including a cross-fit gym and even living rooms — seeking every opportunity to spread the gospel. Venture ultimately built a relationship with New River Worship Center located on Argent Blvd, and on Christmas Eve 2020 these two church families became ONE.
Today, Venture Church is changing the lowcountry one story at a time. We are engaged in outreach to love our cities with no agenda, we gather weekly in homes across the lowcountry through Small Groups, families are changed forever through VC Kids and Venture Students, and over 800 people have said YES to Jesus.
God is still crafting the story of Venture, and we believe you belong here. So we INVITE you to VENTURE with us!
Our Core Values
Love with No Agenda
Our church seeks to love all people simply because they are God's best. Every person has deep value, and we seek to speak God's heart that is relentlessly for every person. We seek to be a presence in our community that loves with no agenda.
Everyone Has Purpose
Ephesians 2:10 says that you are God's masterpiece, created to do good works. We believe that God has instilled every person with deep purpose to make a difference in the lives of others and ultimately to change the world.
Created to Belong
Venture isn't just a place to attend on Sundays, it is a place of deep belonging, where you can find a church family who will welcome you and walk with you no matter where you are on your faith journey.
Grace for the Journey
Every person's faith journey looks a little different, and at Venture we are here to walk the journey with you — judgement free. No person's life is perfect, and we believe God has created people to help you navigate life's ups and downs.
Our Pastor
Pastor Shaun & Angela Olsen
Shaun Olsen is the founding and lead pastor of Venture Church. He and his wife Angela have served in ministry for 20 years in churches in Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Shaun and Angela met in Charleston and consider South Carolina to be their home, which is a big reason they returned to the Lowcountry in 2017 to launch Venture Church.
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 make the most of all this beautiful part of the world has to offer.
What We Believe
The Bible
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
The Trinity
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
The Father
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
The Son
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
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
The Fall of Man
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
New Life
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
Baptism
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
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
Spirit Baptism
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
Communion
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
Holy Living
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
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
Return of Christ
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
Eternity
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