How it all started
On August 28, 2013, a small group of about 25 people gathered together for the first time at a Boys and Girls Club for Bible study. Through love and donation, we were able to obtain a school bus and travel to The Journey Church for 9 months for worship on Sunday mornings. During this time, we continued to meet at the club and other places for Bible study, all while growing in God and in love for each other.
In those nine months, we began looking for a permanent home to call ours for worship. Through much prayer and searching, we were finally able to find one. So on May 7, 2014, we met for the first time in the little store front that would be our home for the next five years. We occupied this little area for what seemed like forever as we continued to grow. We knew that we would not be in this place forever so we began praying and looking for a new home. Through a LOT of prayer and learned patience, we finally purchased a piece of beautiful property on March 11, 2016 that would soon be our new home for Community Fellowship.
In those nine months, we began looking for a permanent home to call ours for worship. Through much prayer and searching, we were finally able to find one. So on May 7, 2014, we met for the first time in the little store front that would be our home for the next five years. We occupied this little area for what seemed like forever as we continued to grow. We knew that we would not be in this place forever so we began praying and looking for a new home. Through a LOT of prayer and learned patience, we finally purchased a piece of beautiful property on March 11, 2016 that would soon be our new home for Community Fellowship.
The journey continues
We continued to meet in our little store front building while we waited for God to prepare us for the next steps on to our new land. On December 7, 2018 we signed on our construction loan and began the long process of building our new home. We spent the next several months watching, waiting and praying. Watching and waiting for the land to finally get ready for a building. And praying for the rain (that seemed to never end) to go away so that we could begin the work.
Finally the process began and we learned really quick that God had a BIG job in front of us. In 2019, we began watching lots of different developments happen on the land. Everything from the concrete being laid to watching the structure of the building go up. We found ourselves drawn to be there to pray, sit, watch, and dream about that first service and just ponder on all that God had been doing for us. As we counted down the days until our first service, we continued to meet in our little store front. It was definitely getting smaller and uncomfortable but it was just so great to have a place to meet.
Finally the process began and we learned really quick that God had a BIG job in front of us. In 2019, we began watching lots of different developments happen on the land. Everything from the concrete being laid to watching the structure of the building go up. We found ourselves drawn to be there to pray, sit, watch, and dream about that first service and just ponder on all that God had been doing for us. As we counted down the days until our first service, we continued to meet in our little store front. It was definitely getting smaller and uncomfortable but it was just so great to have a place to meet.
Home.
And after many late nights, long days and lots of blood, sweat and tears, we had our first service on September 1, 2019. It was the most beautiful and joyful time. God had brought us home to 11 acres of sacred land that we had already began to seen great things on. From that point on, we settled in and began to work. To continue to grow and teach God's word while loving on each other and our community!
Everything was going great and then March 2020 came and the world stopped. We, along with our country, faced a pandemic that struck fear and worry into the hearts of everyone. Many places of worship were closing there doors in order to prevent sickness. We chose to follow with our county's decision and move our services to online only for a time being. During these 10 weeks, we felt the pain and struggle of not meeting together. Families were hurting and people were desperate to be back together in fellowship and in worship.
Thankfully, we resumed our services in person in May. Those weeks apart taught us so much about how to work through the toughest times for His purpose. Within no time, we started seeing growth in numbers as people were venturing back into a public setting. And before long, our seats were becoming full and we were back to normal.
Everything was going great and then March 2020 came and the world stopped. We, along with our country, faced a pandemic that struck fear and worry into the hearts of everyone. Many places of worship were closing there doors in order to prevent sickness. We chose to follow with our county's decision and move our services to online only for a time being. During these 10 weeks, we felt the pain and struggle of not meeting together. Families were hurting and people were desperate to be back together in fellowship and in worship.
Thankfully, we resumed our services in person in May. Those weeks apart taught us so much about how to work through the toughest times for His purpose. Within no time, we started seeing growth in numbers as people were venturing back into a public setting. And before long, our seats were becoming full and we were back to normal.
Our second home.
As 2020 came to a close, we started seeing so many new families move into our county and find their way to Community Fellowship. Even though we were not expecting to see such growth after going through a pandemic, we were so grateful for what God was doing in this ministry. As we came into 2021, we began to see the vision of building again. And before long, ground was being broke and construction began.
This time around was quite tedious and time consuming. There were road blocks and hiccups in the building process. But God had everything working perfectly in His timeline. By the end of 2021, we were finishing up our inside work and getting ready for our first service in 2022. On January 23rd, we met for our first worship service on Sunday. Once again, we stood amazed at all that our Lord had done for us.
As we continue on this journey at 260 Benton Station Road, we are fully aware and have seen that God is still at work. There is more to be done and there is more to come. So we wait patiently and listen while are about our Father's business. From the moment we met together as a group of 25 believers to where we are now....our God receives ALL the glory and honor for the great things He has done.
This time around was quite tedious and time consuming. There were road blocks and hiccups in the building process. But God had everything working perfectly in His timeline. By the end of 2021, we were finishing up our inside work and getting ready for our first service in 2022. On January 23rd, we met for our first worship service on Sunday. Once again, we stood amazed at all that our Lord had done for us.
As we continue on this journey at 260 Benton Station Road, we are fully aware and have seen that God is still at work. There is more to be done and there is more to come. So we wait patiently and listen while are about our Father's business. From the moment we met together as a group of 25 believers to where we are now....our God receives ALL the glory and honor for the great things He has done.