As I said in the other post, I came back to my hometown in 2009 looking and praying for a different kind of church. I had been to a lot of churches in my past. I wanted a dynamic type of church, one that was really moving forward and full of energy and enthusiasm about God and his work. I also asked for a church that was near to me. I ended up getting both.. High Rock-West is about eight blocks from my house!
I was just having a conversation with my former pastor Jon Allen yesterday in which we related that I had showed up for the very first Opening Service at High Rock-West on Nov. 1, 2009. At that time we were meeting in what is now the Kids Room, or we call it the Annex. Back then, it was a 175-seat worship auditorium that was wall-to-wall people every Sunday. We eventually were having a Saturday night service and three services on Sunday, at 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30. As we were out-growing (we actually did that the very first service) this auditorium, we moved down-the-hall to a 325-seat auditorium which more suited our needs at the time.
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| Bob with Jon & Jess Allen @ MB Campus |
In 2012, plans were announced to open new church campuses, one of which was to be in Myrtle Beach. Several of the pastors had been praying for this area, as we found out that over 90% of the people that actually live in Myrtle Beach do not attend any church. Many churches try to start in Myrtle Beach, and do not succeed. It is a big step of faith to move into this area, but Jon and Jess Allen made the commitment to do so. I don't think that there was one person in our West campus that was not sad about their leaving us. But over time, I've come to realize that it's going to reap such benefits and results that it was the only thing to do.
And so, in February 2013, they left and moved to Myrtle Beach. Two things have happened since.. well, actually a lot MORE than just two things.. but.. first, we have secured a new pastor at our church, Chris Shelton (from the Charlotte area and former regional director at Samaritan's Purse). And second, I joined the Launch Team for the new Myrtle Beach campus. This means that I'm committed to serve at least six (6) weeks at the new location when it opens.
And I started doing just that this past weekend. Read the blog post (soon to come) about it. entitled "Myrtle Beach Preview Weekend". It was a blast. Sixty (60) people served in all, coming from ALL SEVEN of our other church campuses. Thirty-six (36) of us rode a bus from North Carolina to Myrtle Beach (and got lost on the way back!). But we had a wonderful time of fellowship and serving there. And sixty (60) guests came to the Preview Service (exactly one for every volunteer).
[ you can read another story with more details @ my "Been There! Done That!" page]
THE STORY IS NEVER OVER -- MORE TO COME!
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