Pastor Richard Hicks officiated over a milestone event in Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church's history, the January 6, 2008 broundbreaking ceremony for the new Education and Activities Building.  The first of four planned new facilities, the 25,000 sq. ft. building will face Mt. Pisgah Road.  Future plans include a new sanctuary, school, and gymnasium.

 

Among the guest speakers were Marty Lawing, Brunswick County Manager and Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church member; Rev. Jeff Gibby, Missionary Director for the Brunswick Baptist Association; and Lee Blackmon, with Coastal Development and Realty.  Mark Saunders, the Mt. Pisgah Building Planning Team Chairman, introduced several people who have been instrumental in the developmental stages of the building project; Dan Weeks, a landscaping architect; architect Sam Goodrich, and Perry Davis of Cape Fear Engineering.

 

Several church members presented testimonies throughout the service.  Tony Bolling, Judy Clemmons, Kristy Gunther, and Lloyd Tucker shared their personal testimonies of faith, encouraging the congregation to be faithful in prayer and commitment to God.

 

Gary McDonald presented a brief overview of the humble beginnings of the church, which was founded in 1762 by a group of New England fishermen who had settled on the banks of the Lockwood Folly River.  As a result, it is known as the oldest Baptist Church in Brunswick County.

 

Rev. Darryll Hester, Minister of Youth & Music, lead inspiring renditions of sacred music throughout the 11:00am service.  The congregation, the choir, and the Praise Band/Team blended the traditional with the contemporary through Rev. Hester's selections of uplifting hymns of worship and choruses of praise.  Musicians included Ashleigh Raines, Janice Kuigre, Carol Phelps, Chris Raines, Jimmy Phelps, Jesse Vipperman, and Jeremy O'Dell.

 

Following a challenge to work together with God by Pastor Hicks, the deacons led the congregation outside for a unique groundbreaking ceremony.  A responsive reading, a hymn, and a dedication by Pastor Hicks on a gloriously beautiful Sunday afternoon set the background for the entire congregation to participate together in the ceremony from start to finish.  Waddell Clemmons furnished a one-horse plow and a 100 ft. rope.  Hulan Royals and Ashelgih Raines each held a handle of the plow while the remaining members of the 170-strong congregation, led by the deacons, pulled the plow together, standing shoulder to shoulder along the length of the rope.  The symbolism of going back to the old principle of working together served to launch the beginning of the new, state-of-the-art building dedicated to God's glory and the service of the community.

 

Pastor Hicks said, "We acknowledge this as God's building.  We will build by His power and provision.  We will do it together.  The message of the plow being pulled by the whole congregation is that, as we pull together in God's power, we will accomplish His mission in our world!:  The ceremony culminated in a prayer circle with the congregation holding hands, encircling the stakes that mark off the building, led in prayer by Rev. Jeff Gibby.