By PAT NEWMAN

Staff Writer

"The church is moving forward," Pastor Knox Herndon said with satisfaction as his growing congregation gathered Sunday for its second anniversary.

"His House" which occupies a wing of Pace Christian School in Fayetteville, is a community church founded by Herndon, who divides his time between his ministry and working as a substitute teacher in the Fayette County School District.

"I'm bi-vocational," he laughed, referring to his two careers. "We're getting the word out (about the church). I'd love to do this full-time," Herndon said.

In fact, Herndon used to perform his religious duties full-time as an Army chaplain for 22 years. Upon retiring from service, he harbored a desire to establish a church and started fulfilling his dream just two years ago, holding services at Fayette Elementary School and later, at the American Legion log cabin. His goal of hitting the 100 member mark for 1999 and 200 members by the year 2000 is well within reach. Herndon is the church's best recruiter. "Are you in a good church?" he'll ask the first time he meets you. If your answer is "no," you'll be invited to "His House."

"We appeal to the unchurched," Herndon said. He estimated that 50 percent of the population of Fayette County is "unchurched" or do not belong to an organized congregation. He also encourages his church's youth to go out and spread the good word among other young people.

Herndon's fledgling congregation hails from Fayetteville, Griffin, and Newnan. "Some are truckers," he said. "They come on Sunday when they are in town."

His House has a mother church--Fairburn First Baptist and both are Southern Baptist affiliated. Herndon's. His right-hand man is Greg Mausz, who is senior associate pastor. He also relies heavily on his wife, Dee Dee, and Ron Downey, who serves as minister of music. His mother, Helen B. Herndon is also a minister and his number one supporter.

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