"Thank you, God, for 35 years"

While meeting in the backyard and the Legion Building, we bought 2.8 acres of land on Walkup Avenue in Monroe. Land that was full of wells, sump holes, and cement slabs from old Camp Sutton (the WWII Army Camp). This land cost $7,000 that we DID NOT have. We borrowed $40,000 to pay for the land and build the original 40x100 church and Sunday School building. How God did bless and after one year we were averaging over 100.

Our offering was only averaging about $300 per week after the first year; and since we have never asked for any outside gifts - we borrowed $500, and raised the Pastor's salary to $150 per week (with an agreement that when that $500 was gone the Pastor's salary would be cut back and the Pastor would get another job). Soon our offering was averaging $800 per week.

In 1972, we built the Kiker Building. In 1974, we bought the entire block, built the parsonage, and started the first 3 grades of school (we had started the daycare and kindergarten in 1972).

In 1977, we built the Sumner Building. In 1978, we built the Deskins Gym. The Tabernacle Christian School was growing, the Church now averaging 225 for preaching, 180 for Sunday night, and 140 for Wednesday night. The offering was then averaging $2,000 per week (all this in 1978).

God gloriously saved so many people here during those years. Missionaries went out (Mike Bridwell and Steve Watts), preachers were called and sent out to pastor (Arnold Griffin and Hoover Morton), and on through the 80's and 90's God has blessed.

In 1980, the preaching service averaged 272 in attendance; and in 1987, we were averaging 306 (the first year over 300). Through the 80's many were saved who are now serving God here or out on some ministry.

In 1991, we finished the Hubbard Building and had our first service here in the present building on December 7, 1991.

Some of the areas where our people labor now are: Casa Grande, AZ - Jay Shannon; Tucson, AZ - Steve Morris; North Vernon, Ind - Paul Penegar; North Rabor, MI - Gary Saunders; Canada - Tom Baucom and Steve Watts; Oakboro, NC - Hoover Morton and Everette Cooper; Mint Hill, NC - Rick Baker; Pageland, SC - Scott Helms; Mexico - Bridwells; Pennsylvania - Jerry Crye and Danny Coffey; Wilmington, NC - Arnold Griffin; Phillipines - Nancy Dohorety, and the prisons - Kitral Benton. We also have many ladies with their husbands serving the Lord full-time. Glory, Glory, Glory unto our God.