Our History
A group of Christians who had a common call to freedom in worship and ministry began meeting in home prayer and sharing groups in June of 1987.
We held several common concepts of ministry. We wanted to reach people whom traditional churches were failing to reach. As a church ,we wanted to strengthen the family , rather than compete for its time and energy. We conceived of a church where every member would minister according to the gifts that God had given them, rather than being asked to serve in positions to which they had not been called. A very important concept was the flexibility to change ministries and programs according to God's leadership: to be able and willing to bend to God's leading in all things and at all times.
It became apparent to us that existing traditional churches were not likely to change in these ways. Therefore we began to sense that God was calling us to begin a new church. It took some time for us to accept this as a calling from God because of our close ties to the churches to which we belonged. However, in June of 1987, we came to the decision to begin a new church family. Koinonia Baptist was born, although not named as yet.
We spent the first several months studying together what it meant to be a church. During this time we met in various places Eventually, Rick Hawkins shared with us a strong leading to build a church building. He challenged us to a decision of faith , to believe that God would enable us to pay for the building. This too was not an easy decision because we were limited in number - eight adult members and seven children - and resources. We also felt sure that God did not want us to go in debt.
Soon thereafter, O.H. and Pauline McKamey donated five acres of prime property on Highway 63 to be used to build this new church building. God was already showing us His perfect will. We began meeting on this land under the large oak tree which now stands in front of our building. Nearby was an old shack in which we stored our chairs and which is depicted in the picture hanging in our present auditorium. It has been said, humorously, that this home was our first parsonage!
In the fall of 1987, we broke ground with Randy McFadden's worn out backhoe and a whole lot of dynamite. This building is indeed built upon a SOLID rock. The method of financing chosen was to borrow from each of the members and to volunteer as much of the labor as possible ourselves. Builders included Susan and Rick Hawkins, Karna and Randy McFadden, Carolyn and Joe Loghry, Pam and Brian Meredith, Jeff Hawkins, O.H. McKamey and the children of these families. God provided a full time laborer named Ray Begy who was a member of First Baptist Church. When everyone else had given all they could in labor, Mr. Begy kept on keeping on until we were finished. All the cedar and rock used on the inside and outside of the building was donated by O.H.. and Pauline McKamey. Cash, material, and labor was donated from individuals inside and outside of the new church. Loans from church members were repaid in about three years and we were debt free! Our first services in the new building were on Easter Sunday, 1988
The style chosen for this new building was a home for the family of God which could be used flexibly in God's service. Our building has been home to a private school, a Head Start preschool center , and a Childcare Center. The auditorium is a worship center, as well as a family room for shared meals and activities. The abundance of windows was chosen to enhance the sense of God's presence in His beautiful creation around us. Our building is intentionally informal and handicapped accessible to convey a welcome to all.
Over the past twenty years, our church has been on mission with God in many ways. Missions giving has been high in our priorities, both locally and internationally. Our clown ministry was begun in our earliest days and eventually included a drama ministry. Many children and adults have been encouraged and trained to minister through this medium. Our home Bible study and Sharing group ministry has been an essential part of our outreach and spiritual growth from the very beginning.
Our existence and ministries are all a testimony of the grace and power of Our God . As the apostle Paul states "We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us." Our church is distinctive in many ways. What has made us so is that God has chosen to work among us in unique ways as we have chosen to follow Him.
