Several hundred people, known locally as that “band of gypsies,” made the mile trek from their former church home, known as Water's Chapel, to their new facility, known as Harp's Crossing Baptist Church.

The year was 1987 and this 19-year-old congregation now numbers 1,900 members.

The Rev. J. Dennis Watson has led this church since its inception in 1981 and he sees that the church's mission statement, “Love God and lead others to love Him too,” is constantly in motion.

Mission groups have served in Asia for several years, some of them staying for several weeks and others staying for two years at a time. While they are not permitted to “set up a church,” they build relationships from teaching English to just being a friend. However, after this friendship is accepted, individuals will ask why the church members have come to China, and they are able to put a foot in the door.

There is a group from the church in China now, and several more groups will make the trip throughout the rest of the year.

Student members are not to be outdone in mission service, and about 20 of them will be traveling to London this summer. They will be working with refugees that have various language backgrounds. Again, relationship building will be going on as well as playing Vacation Bible School-type games.

Seven years ago Harp's Crossing started a new church in Logan, W. Va., making several trips to the area each year since. The church has about 75 members and one of Harp's Crossing's members, a recent graduate of Sanford, has headed that way and will serve the church for two years.

Like most churches in Fayette County, this one is bursting at the walls. Next year the members expect to begin construction on a new worship center that will seat 1,250 members.

The original worship center, the one they went into in 1987, is now the pre-school; the current one will become the fellowship hall and should seat about 300 at a seated dinner.

The church is at 1183 Ga. Highway 92 south and can be reached at 770-461-5318.

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