Sept. 7, 2012 —
It will be a celebration of congregations and milestones, ministers and community this weekend as the Morehead First Church of God celebrates 25 years at its Sunset Drive location.
But it also will be a time to rejoice in more great things to come.
Pastor Allan Hutchinson said the missional direction of scripture defines the mission for the local church – to lead the community in becoming passionate followers of Jesus Christ.
The focus then for the church is to help people make three significant connections, Hutchinson said, “to connect them with God, with each other and with the community.”
The church's journey began 114 years ago in a tent on July 3, 1898. Then in 1900 a white weatherboard church was built at Sun Street and Hargis Avenue.
“We haven't come from that little white structure to this facility without the dedicated, committed and faithful followers of Christ,” said Betty Lewis, pointing to a photograph of that initial permanent home of Morehead First Church of God.
The photo of the church and its congregation during the 1920s hangs in the church library where memorabilia will be on display this weekend.
Lewis and other members of the celebration's planning committee have spent countless hours in this room in preparation.
The church moved to 576 Sunset Drive 25 years ago from the brick church on the corner of Sun Street and Hargis Avenue, now owned by St. Claire Regional Medical Center.
Ground was broken in 1987 by Pastor Mitchell Burch at the 12.5-acre site near I-64 which was donated to the church by David and Jo Wells.
Also located at Sunset Drive is one of the church's greatest missions – Rowan County Christian Academy.
RCCA began as a day care in 1992 and grew to a Christian school in 1994.
The church has been able to provide spiritual beginnings for its youngest members through youth groups, Bible quiz teams and Awana.
The national ministry, Awana or Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed, helps churches and parents work together to develop spiritually-strong children and youth who faithfully follow Jesus Christ.
The expansion of the church has brought an increase in funds and volunteers to expand how the church serves the community.
The church helps in local, national and international projects such as Samaritan's Purse, Community Soup Kitchen, Gateway homeless shelter, disaster relief, the People's Clinic, Hope Pregnancy Center and the Rock Solid Youth Center.
Church members have led or helped with missions in Ecuador, Peru, Cambodia, Mexico, Turkey and New York.
The 25-year celebration kicks off tonight at 7 p.m. with a southern gospel Gaither-style homecoming concert.
Scheduled to perform are The Profits, Little Paint Quartet, Common Bond Quartet, Eventide Trio and Mitchell Burch & the Townesmen Quartet.
A second concert is Saturday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. Activities conclude Sunday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. with Pastor Burch as guest speaker. Barbeque lunch will be provided after the service.
“I invite everyone who's been a part of the church to relive memories and look forward to the future with the church,” Hutchinson said. “Please help us celebrate what the Lord has done.”
Stephanie Ockerman can be reached at sockerman@themoreheadnews.com or by telephone at 784-4116.
Local News
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Pastor Mitchell Burch is the guest speaker at Sunday's service.
Morehead First Church of God celebrating 25th
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