CHURCHES GROWING GOD'S WAY; AREA PASTORS RIDE WAVE OF GROWTH (SERVING GOD)

The Rev. Mark Anderson, pastor of Lynwood Baptist Church, standing, visited with church members from left, Troy Hughes, Steve Sticker, Mandee Stricker and Jill Acup during a fellowship dinner.

Editor's note: this is the third in a four-part series featuring area pastors.

When Ken and Nancy Strong moved to Scott City with the hope of starting a new church, they didn't know what to expect.

"We were scared in our own minds and capabilities because financially we didn't know how we would make it," said Ken Strong, pastor.

"There were a lot of `what ifs'," added his wife, Nancy.

But the Strongs did make it and built a healthy church in the process. There are as many as 90 people who attend Sunday morning services at Father's Arms Fellowship, a nondenominational church at 1400 Main St.

Starting a church takes a lot of faith, hard work and prayer. Much like plants require sunlight and water to grow, church congregations need spiritual food and nurturing as well.

The Strongs had served as youth pastors at Christian Faith Fellowship when it was located in Scott City, so they were known in the community.

But their desire was to start a pioneer church and devote their time to the new ministry.

"We knew the Lord had given us this direction," Ken Strong said. "It has been amazing. Neither of us has worked a secular job since we moved here."

The church began with Sunday evening Bible studies at the Strong's home during the summer of 1994. About six people attended those meetings. Eventually, the group grew in size and required more space.

They moved into a large garage on the Strong's property. The building was renovated so it looked more like a church than garage, Nancy Strong said. Almost two years ago, the congregation moved into its present building.

The new building proves the church isn't just "one man's show," Nancy said. "It definitely helped to have the building."

Ken agreed. "It's the people's building. It gives them a feeling of ownership and stability."

Now the church is "real," Nancy said. For months when the church began, the Strongs only conducted evening services. Many members didn't consider that a "real" worship service. Others felt the congregation needed a building to have a legitimate presence in the town.

But buildings don't make churches grow, said the Rev. Mark Anderson, pastor of Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. New buildings should be the byproduct of growth.

"You don't build so you can grow, you build as a result of growth," Anderson said.

Lynwood averages about 700 people during its three Sunday morning worship services. The congregation is relocating to the city's west side next month when construction on its new building is complete. It is now at 1712 Randol.

The key to church growth isn't just numerical increases, but making sure the church is healthy. But the signs of a healthy church are sometimes hard to see.

Most often healthy growth is seen in a commitment to ministry. "Lay people are the key. We are all ministers in the life of the church. They have just as much a call so ministry as I do as pastor," Anderson said. "It's a matter of roles and responsibilities. I'm shepherding the flock."

Church growth can come quickly or constantly. At Lynwood, the church has seen consistent growth and Anderson anticipates more when the congregation moves.

The wave of church growth in Cape Girardeau is somewhat hard to explain. But churches can't create a wave, they only learn how to ride it to shore.

And the Rev. Ron Watts, pastor of LaCroix United Methodist Church, has been riding that wave for nearly 10 years.

Although LaCroix has a newly constructed building at 3102 Lexington, it had no permanent home for nearly seven years.

When LaCroix began 10 years ago this fall, members met in a movie theater at West Park Mall. There was no permanent home, but a temporary facility.

"I think the mall was a great location," Watts said. "It was easy to find, everyone knows where it's at. We have fond memories of the theater but we wanted a permanent home."

Much like Father's Arms Fellowship began from nothing but a pastor's desire to minister, LaCroix began with a simple telemarketing strategy.

"We wanted to start the church with a large enough number to be viable," Watts explained. "We did some telemarketing calls and learned the law of large numbers."

Within five weeks, volunteers from area United Methodist congregations had put 2,000 people on a mailing list. About 210 attended the first service at the church.

LaCroix now averages 600 in worship and has three services each Sunday.

"We could never predict this," Watts said. "God's hand has been in this from the beginning. It was clear that God wanted this church started in Cape Girardeau.

"We didn't create the wave, but we can see it and get on. It's been a privilege and I'm enjoying the ride."