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The Clarion
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CCC Church History 1993 - Year of Beginnings
Several members of White Rock Community Church who live in Tarrant County, sought the church's help to start a similar ministry in the Fort Worth area. On January 10, 1993, White Rock Church West was born. We called Jerry Cook, the pastor of White Rock to be our pastor, too. He preached at both churches traveling between Dallas and Fort Worth. The Deacons of the church were also chosen. The church first met in a recreation room above a garage of a member's home in east Fort Worth. It was fondly called the "upper room". At first the services were held on Sunday at 2:00 PM, then Tuesday night during the summer and back to Sunday at 5:00 PM. God
spoke through Jerry Cook. His sermons were based on the Bible and were very
inspiring. Praising God through music has always been an important part of this
church. We borrowed people from White Rock to preach and sing and enjoyed talents
from within the congregation. A special offering was taken on Thanksgiving to
purchase an electric piano. God really blessed us in the first year. 1994 - Year of Change In
October, the pastoral search committee recommended Bill Prickett, a successful Alabama
Baptist preacher who was leading an organization for gay and lesbian Christians in the Los
Angeles area at the time. He was called by the congregation in November. At
that point, the church was on its own and ready to go. 1995 - Year of Organization
We
participated in many community events. There was a big fund raiser on Valentine's
Day for our AIDS ministry. The church choir was started in April and grew to 25
members. The choir helped build the famous award winning float that included a baby
grand piano which Roger Copeland played. Honors Sunday started which gave
recognition to the Fort Worth Men's Chorus, P-FLAG, Imperial Court, Future Fort Worth
Arlington and the Teen Project. The choir went on a choir retreat in September,
sang at the TGRA rodeo in November, participated in Lights of Love and Christmas concert
in December. It was a busy but good year. 1996 - Year of Structure Did I
mention eating? The history of the church cannot be complete without food.
Christians love to eat. We have fellowship after the evening service with finger
sandwiches, snacks and desserts. We have a covered dish dinner the last Sunday of
each month with homemade main dishes, fruits, vegetables, breads and desserts. On
special occasions, such as anniversaries, Honor's Sundays, banquets and fund raisers,
there is another reason to eat. Sometimes angels show up at the garage sale with
breakfast burritos and tostados. And let us not forget the fellowship times when we
go out to eat. God doesn't let His children go hungry. 1997 - Year of Vision Of course
the year wouldn't be complete without great preaching and music to worship and glorify
God. Pastor Bill preached on "The Vision for the Church" and
"Committed Relationships". At Life Studies, he taught on topics such as
"How to Choose and Study the Bible" and an overview of the Old Testament. There
was a fund raiser with Pat Crenshaw, Roger Copeland and Friends. There was Christmas
caroling at Care-a-Lot Inn for the residents and Roger Copeland gave us the gift of song
as he played the piano and sang for us at Christmas. 1998 - Year of Miracles
1998 was a year of miracles. It began with our five-year anniversary service in January with Jerry Cook and White Rock choir. Pastor Bill chose to leave but we were determined to trust in God, be united in love for one another, continue the work that was started and implement Target 2000 for our future. Little did we know how much the Holy Sprit would lead the church forward and show His power. Target 2000 was approved by the congregation in February. We were united, attendance increased offerings increased, enthusiasm grew and many guest pastors from White Rock and the local community encouraged us to go forward. We prayed for our church and our new pastor that God would provide, started the hospitality committee and picked chairs for the other committees. Then the impossible happened - God gave us a building! On April 8, the congregation voted on a building that was in the heart of Fort Worth. God just opened the door and pushed us through. On Monday, May 11th, 1998, we took possession of the land that God gave us as members and friends moved our belongings into the new building. May 13th was the first Wednesday Bible study. Workers came back on the 16th to prepare for the first Sunday services. On Sunday, May 17, 1998, we had the first morning service with Tom Mullen and first evening service with Dwayne Martin. On June 14th, the Fort Worth Men's Chorus sang and Jerry Cook, our founding pastor, gave the dedicatory address. Then it was time to call a pastor. That miracle happened on August 23rd. The congregation called Rev. Carol West from Arlington to be our pastor. The installation service was held on November 22. The church office was filled with a staff of dedicated people and we expanded our ministries. Throughout the year, our attendance grew and we added 125% more people then the previous year and exceeded the budget. What could have been a disaster, the Holy Sprit created in our church a wonderful "Year of Miracles". To God be the Glory. Great things He has done! 1999 - Year of Expansion Clothing
Donations This history covers up to February, 1999. What other opportunity for ministries are waiting ahead? Jesus is coming again but until then we are confident that God will finish what He started at our church. Philippians 1:6 |
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