Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Ga., celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, but that is not the only milestone for the church in 2006. On Oct. 1, the church met in their new $5.5 million worship center. What makes this particularly unique is the building is completely paid for. The church was debt free prior to construction and remains debt-free today.

Pastor Dennis Watson, who has served as the only pastor in the church’s 25-year history, believed that God was leading him and his congregation to build the building debt-free. This would require a significant step of faith because the cost of the building would be far above anything the church could do on its own. However, he was convinced that God would provide, and the church would be much better off without a debt. Further, he believed it would not only be an example to families in the management of their finances, but would be a testimony to the community of an awesome God who provides for His people.

Pastor Watson said, “When we started on this construction project the original cost estimates were just under $3 million for the entire project which included renovation of the existing worship center. If we had known then that it would cost us $5.5 million, without the renovation of the old worship center, we probably would not have had the faith to proceed. God got us started and He was faithful to complete it and provide miraculously the funds and the timing. This is truly a God thing and we want everyone to know what He has done. It is all to His glory and praise.”

At the beginning of the project, a large sign was erected prominently on the property that stated, “Financing Provided by Almighty God.” Each day, thousands drove by the sign on Ga. Highway 92 South in Fayetteville. Keith Turner, Minister of Education and staff liaison for the new building, said that it became the “buzz around town” as people throughout the community talked about the sign to church members.

Another unique aspect of the project is that the church did not hire a company to help with the fund-raising. The church established a “Building to Expand” (BTE) team from its members to keep the emphasis before the people. BTE became the theme of the project, with the goal of building to expand the worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission of the church.

Initially, the church worked with LifeWay Church Architectural Services to establish a design, and provide preliminary drawings for the building. Later, the church hired a builder, and contracted with a local architect to complete the working drawings. Rev. Turner felt that Gary Nicholson, LifeWay Architect, did an excellent job working with the church to help them determine the best type of facility to fit their needs.

The building is a 1250-seat worship center with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment for sound, lighting, and video projection. Also, the building includes rooms for music rehearsal, music library, instrumental rehearsal, offices, baptismal dressing, counseling, intercessory prayer, bridal dressing, hospitality, and media. Also, downstairs there is a 10,000 square-foot student center with café, youth activity room, and Sunday school classrooms. The new building has approximately 40,000 square feet of space.

This is the fourth building project in the church’s 25-year history. Prior to the church’s move into the new building, it met for two Sunday Schools and two worship services in a sanctuary that seated about 600.

Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church has been in multiple Sunday Schools and worship services for most of the church’s history. Rev. Turner, who has serviced as minister of education for 22 years, said that during his tenure, the church has been in “multiples” for about 20 of his 22 years. At one point, Harp’s actually had three Sunday Schools and two worship services.

Following the leadership of the pastor and staff, the church decided to remain in two Sunday schools and two worship services even after moving into the new building. Pastor Watson said, “Our vision is to have an outward focus on the 30,000-plus people within the five-mile radius of our church. If we want to reach them we must provide a place for worship and Bible study. We cannot become comfortable and focus inward. We must ‘shine the light’ to those in our community, and beyond.”

“Shining the Light” is the church’s new theme, and it appears on their new logo. (See church Web site at www.harpscrossing.com.) Previously, the theme was “Lighthouse to the Community,” and then later it became “Lighthouse to the World.” The church’s new theme continues its Acts 1:8 mission strategy to reach their “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.”

Over the past several years, the church has sent individuals and teams on short and long-term mission trips in connection with Southern Baptist mission agencies (NAMB and IMB) to 27 countries, and 26 states in the U.S.

A major mission focus of the church is an unreached people group that it adopted in East Asia through the IMB in 1994. Since that time, the church has sent 32 teams to this remote part of the world. They have seen many come to faith in Christ.

Pastor Watson expressed, “I believe the light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home. As we expand the base at home, we are better able to strengthen our mission efforts in the U.S. and around the world. I am thankful for the changes that have occurred in our International Mission Board that allow for our members to be more personally involved in volunteer missions as they work alongside SBC missionaries on the field.”

Harp’s Crossing has a long-tenured ministerial staff. Dennis Watson looks to celebrate his 25th year at the church in March 2007, Keith Turner has served as minister of education for 22 years, Ken Helms as associate pastor of outreach for 19 years, Steve Owens as minister of music for 16 years, and Chris Watson as student minister for 2 years. A new staff position was added this year and Bob Naughton was called as minister of administration.

Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church is committed to SBC missions and is a strong giver to the Cooperative Program (CP), the South Metro Association, and the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offerings. They are the largest contributor to the association and give 10 percent of its budget to the CP. Also, the church provides funding to assist members who are called to serve in volunteer missions in connection with SBC mission agencies at home and around the world. Giving to all missions causes will exceed $400,000 in 2006.

Keith Turner
Fayetteville, Ga.

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