November 20, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

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RELIGION Call: (803) 774-1250 | E-mail: jade@theitem.com

Lending a hand Cece, Andrew and Michael Thorne donate their time and skills to work on Sumter Pregnancy Center’s landscaping earlier this month. They, along with about seven others from New Balance Life Group at Alice Drive Baptist Church, gave of themselves as part of the Sumter church’s “40 Days of Community” campaign. As part of the lease contract, the center has to maintain the grounds, but there is really no money in the nonprofit’s budget to contract with a lawn company, said Kristin Hallal, director of Sumter Pregnancy Center.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Rediscover Church sees big growth Leaders might add college and career program, marriage classes, more for congregation

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com

PHOTO PROVIDED

Kayla Porter, front, dots the nose of Owen Tate O’Conner as Doug O’Connor watches at Rediscover Church’s fall festival. Kayla is the daughter of founders Detric and Keonna Porter. She, her brother, Caleb, and her mother are all on the praise team.

For a nondenominational congregation started in February, Rediscover Church is doing well.

It started with four people, and this past Sunday, the congregation hit an attendance record for a regular, nonspecial event Sunday, with 47 people.

“We thought we might double,” said Pastor Detric Porter. “We thought we might have eight to 10 people by now, but we consistently have 30 to 40 every Sunday. It’s pretty amazing. It’s been a really positive experience all around.”

But for Porter and his wife, Keonna, founders of the church at 73 W. Wesmark Blvd., it’s more about being involved in the community than counting heads.

“We’re trying to reach out,” he said.

“We’re not trying to exclude anybody.

People tell us all the time that we’re very welcoming, and that’s what they love about it. There really are no barriers. People feel genuinely loved and

cared about.”

The couple’s children, Kayla, 13, and Caleb, 11, play instruments on the praise team. Their mother also sings with the worship group.

About 80 people came to the recent fall festival complete with free food and candy, Detric Porter said. The church also held a community health fair, Keonna Porter said, and the congregation participated in the Soles4Souls project, collecting 82 pairs of shoes and helping sort more than 400 pairs.

It’s not uncommon for half the church families to go out to eat after a service, Detric Porter said, or for the church to hold cookouts.

Several months ago, they added three Sunday schools.

“It’s part of the church’s vision,” Detric Porter said. “It was just a matter of time until we had enough kids to staff Sunday school.”

The congregation gathers for praise and worship, Keonna Porter said. Then the children go to Sunday school during the sermon portion. They are broken into categories by age.

“A 2-year-old does not learn the same as a 12-year-old,” she said.

They’ve also had great support from the military.

“We have several members from Shaw (Air Force Base),” Detric Porter said.

That’s not surprising given he is lead software engineer with United States Air Force Central Network Operation Security Center, and Keonna Porter is a retired Air Force veteran.

They’re now gearing up for the church’s Christmas concert and looking forward to the new year. They’ve talked about starting a college and career program, a marriage enrichment class, a men’s ministry and a boys and girls mentorship program.

“If you feel like you haven’t found your place, the place you belong and fit in, we’re the church for you,” Detric Porter said.

Rediscover Church meets 11 a.m. on Sundays and 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

For more information, visit rediscoverchurch.org, email info@rediscoverchurch.org or call (803) 795-4118.

CHURCH NEWS Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive, announces: * Saturday — Food fair and holiday market 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Homemade food items will include: cakes, pies, cookies, breads, preserves, pickles and frozen casseroles. There will also be holiday and gift items, flower bulbs and more.

There will also be barbecue sandwich bag lunches available for purchase.

Allen Chapel AME Church, 471 Lynam Road, announces: * Sunday — Missionary family and friends day at 10 a.m. Sister Frances Hill will speak.

Barnettsville Baptist Church, St. Charles & Manville Road, Bishopville, announces: * Sunday — Homecoming at 3 p.m. Elder Randolph Franklin will speak.

Bethel AME Church, 1605 S.C. 261, Wedgefield, announces: * Sunday — Janie Williams Women’s Missionary Society Four Seasons Extravaganza at 1 p.m.

Chapel Hill Baptist Church, 8749 Old Highway Six, Santee, announces: * Sunday, Dec. 21 — The Lord’s Supper will be observed at 10 a.m. * Thursday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day worship at 10 a.m.

The Rev. Fredrick Wilson will speak. * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watchnight worship at 10 p.m. The Rev. Darrell Frasier will speak.

Church of Christ, 313 Mooneyham Road, announces: * Saturday, Dec. 13 — Family and friends night, hosted by the China and Harvin families, at 6 p.m. The Rev. Tommy L. China Sr. will speak. Music will be provided by the Spiritual Gospel Singers, Palmettos, Corinthians and others.

Clark United Methodist Church, 2980 U.S. 401 N., Oswego Highway, announces: * Sunday — The hanging of the greens at 11 a.m.

Concord Baptist Church, 1885 Myrtle Beach Highway, announces: * Today — Gospel concert at 7 p.m. featuring the LeFevre Quartet. A love offering will be received.

Cross Road Christian Fellowship / St. Peter Baptist Church, 845 Webb St., announces: * Sunday, Nov. 30 — Fifth Sunday youth service at 11 a.m.

Brother Cee Jay McFadden will speak. A “Building a Foundation for Your Family’s Future” workshop will be held at 4 p.m., presented by Bishop Sylvester Francis III. Dalzell United Methodist Church, 3330 Black River Road, Dalzell, announces: * Saturday — Coats for Christ giveaway 8 a.m.-noon in the fellowship hall. In addition to coats, blankets, scarves, hats, jackets and sweaters will also be given away.

Fellowship Baptist Church, 705 W. Huggins St., Manning, announces: * Sunday — Licensing sermon of Brother Cedric Anderson at 3:30 p.m.

Grant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 5405 Black River Road, Rembert, announces: * Sunday — The male chorus will celebrate its 21st anniversary at 4 p.m.

Green Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 1260 Green Hill Church Road, Alcolu, announces: * Sunday — Pre-Thanksgiving and trustee / trustee spouses anniversary at 5 p.m. The Rev. Jonathan Mouzon will speak.

High Hills AME Church, 6780 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 — “Keeping the Dream Alive” 200 men in black program at 5 p.m. The Rev. Ronnie Brailsford will speak.

High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, 6750 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday, Dec. 7 — Holy com-

munion will be observed after 10:15 a.m. worship. * Saturday, Dec. 20 — Christmas program and fellowship dinner at noon. * Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Watch Night service at 10:30 p.m.

Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., announces: * Wednesday, Nov. 26 — PreThanksgiving worship at 7 p.m. Minister Edmond Hamilton will speak. * Friday, Dec. 19 — The JMBC mass choir will present a Christmas concert at 7 p.m.

Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday, Nov. 30 — Youth service.

Knitting Hearts Ministry, meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday, Dec. 13 — Knitting Hearts Café will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. Derrek and Sabrina Fort will speak. Husbands are invited to attend the December gathering. Knitting Hearts is a communitywide, multidenominational women’s ministry. Visit www. knittingheartsministry.org.

Land Flowing with Milk & Honey Ministry, 1335 Peach Orchard Road, announces: * Saturday — Icebreaker for Youth at 9 a.m. A new perspective for a new generation, hosted by Dr. Alec Bradley Jr. * Sunday, Nov. 30 — Youth with SWAG (Someone Who Adores God) at 11 a.m. Shawn Way will speak.

Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 7355 Camden Highway, Rembert, announces: * Sunday, Nov. 30 — Youth day.

Mount Sinai AME Church, 5895 Mt. Sinai Church Road, Lynchburg, announces: * Sunday — Mass choir anniversary celebration at 3 p.m. * Sunday, Dec. 7 — Steward’s

annual day program at 10 a.m. * Sunday, Dec. 21 — Christmas drama presentation at 10 a.m.

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St., announces: * Tuesday, Nov. 25 — Youth night of praise at 7 p.m. Minister Daryl Cunningham will speak. * Sunday, Nov. 30 — Sumter Baptist M&E Association Convocation at 5 p.m.

Mulberry Missionary Baptist Church, 1400 Mulberry Church Road, announces: * Sunday — Contemporary Mass Choir anniversary celebration at 4 p.m. On the program: LaGree AME, Church of God by Faith, Mount Nebo and more.

New Israel Missionary Baptist Church, 5330 Old Camden Highway, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday, Dec. 7 — The pastor’s 10th anniversary will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. The Rev. Willie Wright will speak.

Dinner will follow the service. * Sunday, Dec. 21 — The annual Christmas program will be held at 1 p.m. The Lord’s Supper will be observed. * Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015 — Pastor Grant will be installed and consecrated at the 12th Moderator of the Jerusalem Baptist Association at 10 a.m. at the Jerusalem Association Convention Center, 613 Jones Ave., Andrews. Dr. James B. Blassingame will speak.

Orangehill Independent Methodist Church, 3005 S. King Highway, Wedgefield, announces: * Sunday, Dec. 14 — Associate pastor appreciation service for the Rev. Matthew Kelley Jr. at 10 a.m. The Rev. Dr. Robert L. Dunham will speak.

Pinewood Baptist Church, S.C. 261, Pinewood, announces: * Tuesday, Nov. 25 — Community Thanksgiving service at 7 p.m. with and at Pinewood United Methodist Church.

Free dinner will be served at 5:45 p.m. Special music and

nursery provided. Call (803) 452-5373 or visit www.pinewoodbaptist.org for details.

Providence Baptist Church, 2445 Old Manning Road, announces: * Today — Thanksgiving dinner at 6:30 p.m.

St. John Baptist Church, 3944 Brewer Road, Manning, announces: * Sunday, Nov. 30 — Appreciation program for Evangelist Charlene B. Samuel at 4 p.m.

Pastor Jack Morant will speak.

Tiverton Missionary Baptist Church, 2420 Old Charleston Road, Wedgefield, announces: * Saturday-Sunday — Pastor’s anniversary celebration as follows: 7 p.m. Saturday, gospel program; and 3 p.m. Sunday, the Rev. JoAnn Murrill will speak.

Truly Committed Missionary Baptist Church, 7 E. Oakland Ave., announces: * Sunday — Gospel singing at 4 p.m. On the program: Majestic Gospel Singers; Kuz-inaires of Manning; Gospel Jubilees and more. * Saturday, Dec. 6 — Celebration of appreciation for Joe “Poppa” Pearson Sr. will be held at 5 p.m. On the program: Sisters of Faith; Sensational Voices; Committed and more.

Walker Avenue Church of God, 100 Walker Ave., announces: * Sunday — Homecoming celebration at 11 a.m. The Rev. Derrick C. Lloyd will speak.

Willow Grove AME Church, 8105 A/B Sumter Landing Road, Horatio, announces: * Sunday — Voices of Praise will provide music. * Sunday, Nov. 30 — YAM choir will provide music and Catchall Masonic Lodge will worship with the congregation. * Sunday, Dec. 7 — Christmas lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. with refreshments, caroling and fellowship.