OUR HISTORY

OUR HISTORY

Followers of Christ Church was birthed September 29, 1987. Our founding pastor was a formally-trained Southern Baptist minister who received his theological training at Criswell Bible Institute in Dallas, TX. But after six months he decided to go back to school, so he formally set apart David Bridges, as Elder and Pastor, before leaving. Because we were a small congregation and not affiliated with any denomination, we had difficulty locating places to meet on a regular basis. Determined to continue the work we felt the Lord had for us, we held worship services in the Pastor's home, outside under a wisteria arbor (see inset at right), in an art studio (when it was raining), in a shop downtown, a restaurant, and finally an out-of-business funeral home. (left) We rented the last place for over 2 years before being asked to vacate - without notice - because the owner wanted to open up his funeral home again ... (It eventually became home to another church congregation and then burned to the ground! This is the only photograph we have of it.)

A miracle kept us going. Another Christian couple in our town heard about our plight and overnight offered their empty business building to us - a fabulous 7,000 sq. ft. custom brick with acreage! We felt like millionaires! We were on a busy highway with great visibility. And the price was right. Thankfully, we could afford the payments.

But the dream only lasted two years ...

Again we were routed by the news that the owner's (estate planning) son-in-law-lawyer wanted them to sell the building outright, and cancel our contract. So we were again asked to leave. (P.S. The banners you see were donated to a messianic congregation in Jerusalem!)

We actually disbanded for 3 months while we sought the Lord's will concerning another meeting place. It gave the Pastor and his wife a chance to visit other churches and receive ministry themselves. They needed it.

A storefront in downtown Wills Point became available just before we celebrated another church birthday, so we decided to move in and "start all over again." By then we were 6 years old as a congregation. (Yes, we still HAD a congregation!) But that venture only lasted - you guessed it - 2 years. We were told we had to move again because the owner had sold the building. And out on the street we thought we'd have to go. One businessman in town kidded David that he wished we'd move into his building ... He'd love to sell it and if we were in it, it would probably move fast!

Oh, but God is so good to us! He had other ideas for the Followers of Christ Church. I think He was tired of watching us being shifted around from pillar to post. Now we were going to be given a real church HOME. One that we would never be afraid of losing ever again.

David heard about some land in the city limits on Highway 751, about 3 blocks from downtown. It was five acres, but the price was way more than what we thought we could afford. Still, he was determined we would get it, so he made an offer to the owner for a third of the purchase price and were we ever surprised when the man said yes!!! And not only did he sell us that tract of prime highway frontage, he ended up deeding over an additional 3 acre parcel next to it for no extra charge! So we ended up with 8 gorgeous acres of land with several huge pecan trees that provide us with a bountiful crop each season. There is a creek that also cuts through the back that adds a nice country feel. We are very blessed.

We were able to purchase a building to be moved for only $2200. that served us initially as a meeting hall and offices. But it wasn't long before we managed to build a larger sanctuary and then add on to the first building with a huge fellowship hall and kitchen. A couple of years later we were given a Jim Walters house which we remodeled and have set up at one end of the church property as a Helps House.

Now we are saving to build a larger sanctuary to be situated between the two church buildings.

(Below) A new addition was constructed for a baptistery.

(Above) Our Sanctuary soon after construction, 1996.

(Below) Setting the baptistery.

Live oaks shade the Sanctuary and the new Baptistery addition. We will finally be able to have baptisms in our own church once more!

(Left) Heath Gregory works to trim out the door and window before the siding goes up.

Judy Hughes became the first member to be baptized when we celebrated our 20th Anniversary, September 29, 2007.

SANCTUARY REMODEL

Beginning February, 2009

Pastor David decided it was time our Sanctuary got a facelift. It had been his dream for a long time to take down the suspended ceiling tiles and put up sheetrock and some proper lighting fixtures. Here are some snapshots of the progress: