“I'm a `hands-on' preacher,” says the Rev. Dr. James G. Willis, North Fayette Baptist Church.

The church will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in the fall and has grown from five people meeting in his home in 1980 to nearly 400 members.

Along with this celebration, Willis will be celebrating his 40th year in the ministry.

During this year the church will be expanding its youth and children's ministries by hiring two professional staff members, one for each ministry.

Also planned for the fall, Willis and approximately 20 people from the church and the community will be traveling to the Holy Land and Greece. Leaving Oct. 23, they will spend 11 days in Tel Aviv, Galilee, Tiberius, Capernaum, Phillipi, Mt. Herman, Golan Heights, the Dead Sea, Massada, Bethany, Jerusalem, (where they will stay for three days), and Athens.

Having been on a previous trip, Willis said they will be hiring the same guide. “He was so outstanding, he made everything come alive,” he said.

The church is laying the groundwork now to build an educational building next spring. It will contain 8,000 square feet with a Fellowship Hall that will seat 150 at dinner. It will also contain Sunday School rooms.

Among the ministries the church participates in are worship services and Bible Study at Christian City, and in providing a ministry for those with mental retardation.

Due to the growing senior adult ministry, North Fayette Baptist will be adding an additional associate pastor to handle that particular ministry.

The mission statement of the church is to carry out the Great Commission through evangelism, worship, discipleship and missions, with a commitment of caring for its community and beyond.

North Fayette Baptist Church is at 409 Kenwood Road, Fayetteville. Worship services are Sunday at 11 a.m. and Sunday morning Bible study is at 9:45.

The church can be reached at 770-461-0377.

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