Churches were once the hub of community in the United States. Some still are, but to a large extent, they have been marginalized to the point that sometimes what's left is a beautiful building and a parking lot that are jammed on Sundays, and stand virtually empty the rest of the week. The people of West Valley Church, noticing this phenomenon, wanted to find a way to reconnect with their growing community of neighbors. New housing was being built all around the church, and the congregation reasoned that if they could find a way to serve these new neighbors, it would be a great thing.