Courtney Herod
Courtney Herod
Courtney Herod
Church members gathered for a long-awaited day, the grand opening of phase one of the Chapel Hill New Life Fellowship building project in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Sabbath, January 28, 2017. New Life Fellowship was planted years ago specifically to reclaim former members of area churches, as well as to reach out to Adventist students in the universities and colleges in the Raleigh/Durham area. Their pastor is Dexter Richardson.
Phase one of the two-part plan includes classrooms and the fellowship hall. The church members will be using the fellowship hall for their sanctuary until phase two is completed. During the grand opening celebration, members had a chance to revisit how God led in the purchase of the property and in raising funds for the building.
This theme of remembrance was echoed in Carolina Conference President Leslie Louis’ sermon on the significance of the Israelites’ Ebenezer Stone. This stone was raised as a reminder of how God had led the Israelites in the past. Louis proposed that the new church is a kind of Ebenezer Stone, serving to remind members how God led them to this location in Chapel Hill, N.C., and will continue to lead as they continue to follow.
Throughout the celebration, individuals who were key in accomplishing phase one were recognized for their contributions. Music is central to worship at New Life Fellowship, so the service was peppered with congregational praise, worship songs, and special music. The fellowship hall was dedicated to Rainey “Rainman” Buscher, who passed away several years ago. Buscher was an integral part of the church plant, and had a heart for worship and sharing his faith with whomever he met. Above the door leading into the fellowship hall hangs his guitar, donated by his wife, Laura Buscher.
May the Lord continue to guide these members as they follow the Great Commission in Matthew 28, and reach their community for Him.
Carolina | March 2017
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