HOMES & LIFESTYLES
The Many Ministries of CBC by Wiley Sloan | Photo by Marjorie Christiansen Founded on a reverence for the Gospel, Community Bible Church reaches out to the world.
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ommunity Bible Church, located at 3645 Cashiers Road in Highlands, is the new kid on the block when compared to many of Highlands’ other centers of worship. It has existed for just over 30 years but for what it lacks in age, it makes up for in energy and commitment. CBC works diligently to fulfill its mission – To Exalt the Lord. They call themselves a “Three-Stream Church,” meaning that they focus on all key areas of worship – liturgical, public worship; evangelical, focusing on the teachings of the New Testament; and charismatic (Spirit-filled). Church members and staff alike share their enthusiasm for the Word through their many worship avenues. Not only are their local worship facilities filled with enthusiastic seekers looking for a better understanding of God’s word, CBC utilizes technology to reach out to people throughout the 50 states and internationally. Through their online ministry “The Voice,” folks who visited CBC while in Highlands can stay connected with the church when they return home. CBC is dedicated to their youth – Middle School, High School and College. They also offer The Point, a coffee-house ministry based in Cullowhee, North Carolina, in close proximity to Western Carolina University where they reach out to college students seeking to build a spiritual connection. The common denominator found among the members of CBC is an enthusiastic love for Christ and a desire to share this passion with everyone they meet. Many of you are probably familiar with CBC through
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its music and arts ministry. Led by Pastor Cody Turner, this ministry strives to empower people with the majesty of God through music. Senior Pastor Gary Hewins and the entire staff at CBC focus on the 4 E’s – Exalting the Lord, Empowering the Believer, Embracing the Hurting and Enjoying the Abundance in Christ. Through local and international missions they seek to improve the lives of all. The Agape garden located on the church’s campus provides local produce to people in need. Other missions include the Smokey Mountain Pregnancy Center, the Freestyle Mission and the International Friendship Center. When talking to those familiar with CBC you commonly hear adjectives like “invigorating,” “transforming,” “something for all ages,” and “never boring.” Members of Community Bible Church refer to themselves as an “eclectic” church – coming from all walks of life – some having grown up in the church, some never having been to church and others searching for the right church. Whatever their background, they each reach out to all who are not actively worshipping at another church here in the Highlands-Cashiers area and beckon them to visit. If you’re looking for a place of worship that’s Biblically grounded, you may want to check out CBC. To learn more about their many ministries (including their local worship opportunities) go to cbchighlands.com or call at (828) 526-4625.