Who is True Faith Bapist Church?
You may ask, “Who is True Faith Baptist Church?” True Faith Baptist Church is a new ministry in the Harrells and surrounding areas founded on Friday, March 2nd in the home of Gene & Evelyn Sandlin with a group 21 brothers and sisters in Christ who shared the same vision which has since turned into our mission statement: Our mission is to be a scriptural based fellowship of believers seeking to have a personal experience with Jesus Christ while sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all people, equipping them to become servant ministers enabling them to share in the ministries and responsibilities of the church. Our Motto is “Each One Reaching One” helping us to build the Kingdom of God since March 2, 2007.
Founding Members are as follows:
Our First Sunday service was held in the home of Tim & Sara Peterson on March 4th, 2007. Pastor Horace Hall was our speaker. Communion was served as we thanked God for his selfless gift of salvation gave Him the Glory for all that he has done for us. Twenty-four names were added to the True Faith Baptist Church roll which included the 21 founding members and Aaron & Emily Andrews and Miracle Haggard.
We are able to meet at the Harrells Community Services building in Harrells as a more permanent place of worship until we could secure some land to build a worship facility. Just starting out we had no money and no building, but to quote Linda Peterson, "We are the happiest bunch of broke people you will ever meet!"
At the end of April we were able to secure some land, which was donated to us by the Moore Family. Teddy, Jimmy, Kenny and Diane gave us the land we so fondly refer to as the "OAKS", in leiu of the beautiful oak trees that tower above the land. This land is located on hwy 41 just east of the hwy 421 junction.
May 13th, 2007 - Excitement filled the air as members and visitors of True Faith Baptist Church jumped in their cars and took a short trip "down the road" to the future home site of True Faith Baptist Church we fondly call "The Oaks" immediately following the morning worship service. One by one the parade of cars pulled in to the driveway and parked single file on the thick green grass that would some day become a parking lot. Tears of pure joy poured down the cheeks of many, unbridled excitement and laughter came from smiling lips, and some were just silent as if trying to remember this exact moment and burn it into their hearts and minds. A moment that tomorrow would become history, a moment that we can never re-live, a moment that we will remember forever both children and adults alike. "God is Good." Small un-calloused soft hands wielded shovels as well as the larger rough weathered hands and together as one in perfect harmony we turned some beautiful dirt. It wasn't easy, the ground was hard and solid, but what a strong foundation it will be, not only physically, but more importantly, spiritually. God has always been and always will be our foundation, our cornerstone, our strength, for without Him we are absolutely nothing. Soon a building will be erected under "The Oaks" where doors of acceptance will never close and everyone is welcome. Can you feel it? Can you feel God working? We can and what an awesome experience it is and we want share it with you. I can write all day and all night, but there are no words that can come close to describing the feeling of God's presence and the Work He has done in the lives of True Faith Baptist Church members and visitors these past couple of months. You have to come see and feel for yourself. Our door is always open. (Read More)
May 20th, 2007, The Lord created a vibrant blue sky, which served as the backdrop for our “Worship On The Grounds” Sunday morning. The towering oaks stood proud in the early morning sun ready to provide shade for the anticipated fellowship soon to come. A melodic tune whistled through the leaves as a slight breeze began to blow and dry up the last remnants of the morning dew. The birds were singing as they busily went about their daily routine undisturbed by the bustle of activity on the ground beneath them. A single bumble-bee could be heard in the distance, a reminder that Spring is finally here. Spring, a season of growth, a time of renewing, a season for planting. The cold and dormant winter has come and gone and a new perfect Spring day sets the stage as we of True Faith kick off our own season of planting, the planting of a new Church.
Once again a parade of cars turned into the driveway and parked on freshly cut grass as we all came together to attend our first worship service on the future site of True Faith Baptist Church. We had no building, no power and no running water, but the Lord provided for all our needs and then some. The sun was not too hot and the breeze was not too cool as we all sat under the oaks and listened to the message delivered by Pastor Horace Hall. Over one hundred people were in attendance for this historic event. To quote the youth “It was a totally awesome time!”
Immediately following the worship service lunch was served. Bar-B-Que pork had been cooking since 3:00 that morning right there on the grounds and was ready just in time. Every fixin you could think of had been brought and desserts? Let’s just say we all probably need to go on a diet this week. It was a great time of fellowship while enjoying some good home-cooked food. (read more)
July 9th we held our very first Vacation Bible School. Our kick-off got started on a wet note. It rained so much we were wondering if we would need to build a second ark. Click here to read more. The event was held at Harrells Christian Academy and there were over 80 registrations and resulted in 1 salvation and 7 re-commitments. Click the picture below to jump to our scrapbook page and scroll down to July 2007 VBS to view all the slide shows.. Don't forget to check out the movies to view the two Youth Leaders getting "RAINED" on....
July 29th - 8 individuals were baptized, most as a result of VBS. It was an absolutely glorious day. The day started out cloudy and over cast with the threat of rain in the forecast, but right at the precise moment God saw reason to break up the grey and dreary clouds with streaks of sunlight that sparkled like precious diamonds on the water below which would soon be used as a scene or baptism Click here to read more |
