HOW WE STARTED; WHAT WE DID; WHO WE ARE
By Pastor Harold Myers
Harrisonburg United Brethren In Christ Church originated when three families
started meeting together at a home in Harrisonburg in 1984. Having rented
meeting rooms at several locations, we are now meeting at and purchasing
the property at 2226 Rawley Pike, just west of the Harrisonburg City Limits
which is between Dove's Camper Sales and Weaver's Cemetery. We rent
space to West Rockingham Day Care/Preschool.
At one of our previous locations, the Izaak Walton Clubhouse next to Lake
Shenandoah, we surveyed the neighborhood, informed them of our existence
and invited them to the services.
At one home a lady answered us, "We are members of a nearby church."
"We are not trying to steal members from other churches," I replied. "We are
inviting people who have no church home or do not know Christ as their
personal Savior."
The husband responded, "But we're not going to church like we ought to."
We visited for about twenty more minutes.
Again the man blurted out. "We're not going to church like we ought to."
As we left and went to our car, he followed us to the car and said rather
emphatically, "We're not going to church like we ought to."
The following Thursday night I laid out the cards representing each household
and prayed over them. All I could hear was, "We're not going to church like we
ought to."
I visited Calvin that night and next Sunday morning he came to our worship
service.
He continued with us and some months later he cried out to God from his boat
on Lake Shenandoah. The waters were very turbulent at the time.
After his prayer the God of peace took control of his life. The strong winds
stopped and the waters calmed after he had prayed as if to confirm what had
taken place in his heart.
Calvin was among the first group we baptized in the lake.
He later testified, "I don't know if I could have kept my job if I hadn't found
Christ. I'm too explosive. This church has helped me to learn self-control.
Several times he testified, "I'm so glad for this church. Here I learned that God
would give me a second chance."
For some time Calvin became our chief greeter. He did an excellent work.
Several folks affectionately called him "Old Faithful."
Others have learned of God's love and grace through Harrisonburg United
Brethren In Christ Church.
Why should you wait any longer to discover God's goodness for yourself?
We are a congregation endeavoring to love God, to love each other, and to
love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
We do not claim to be the only church but believe Jesus when he says that he
is the only Savior of the world.
We work together with other churches when we can.
As a minister I meet with another group of pastors every month for prayer at
the First Assembly Of God Church.
I also serve as a workplace chaplain under ICM, or Industrial Commercial
Ministries. Presently they have assigned me to serve as a Volunteer Chaplain
to the employees of a local industrial plant in Harrisonburg. I visit there every
Tuesday for about 4 hours.
I am also available for prayer or counsel on spiritual matters without any
charge.
You may call me at 540-421-5259 or 540-896-3862.
(Names have been changed.)
If you do not have a church family or if you need to know God in a personal
way, we invite you to visit us to see if we might be the warm-hearted, friendly
church you have been searching for.