Birth of a church

02-03-2012

Birth of a church

Christ Way UMC constituted as new congregation

By Megan Heyl
Special Contributor

Five years ago, in a Sunday school classroom at Jonesboro’s St. Paul United Methodist Church, Christ Way UMC Jonesboro had its first meeting. On Jan. 22, 2012, the startup congregation celebrated being officially constituted into the United Methodist Church.

On the afternoon of their constitution, the Rev. Herschel Richardson, founding pastor of Christ Way, preached to the congregation. He had everyone present turn to their neighbor and say, “We came this far by faith.”

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen,” he read from Hebrews 11 (New Living Translation).

Richardson preached that this faith, this confidence, has brought Christ Way to where it is today. “It wasn’t by luck,” he said, “it was by the plan of God.”

Moments before Richardson spoke these words, Dr. Kurt Boggan, superintendent of the Northeast District, had led the people of Christ Way through the constitution ceremony. Those who desired to become members of the new church were asked to come to the front of the worship space.

Chairs shuffled as people left them behind to go forward. After a few moments, more than 40 individuals stood at the front, and applause rang throughout the sanctuary. They all proudly reaffirmed their vows to the United Methodist Church.

Alphonzo Robinson was named lay leader of the new congregation, though he shook his head at any praise of his work at the church. “I’m just a servant,” he said.

Robinson has been with Christ Way since the beginning, and watched it grow from a Sunday school room to having its own building, which was donated by Frank Fletcher, owner of Fletcher Dodge Chrysler and Jeep. Now the church carries out its ministry from that facility at 3400 Stadium Blvd. in Jonesboro.

“It’s been a long journey and it hasn’t always been easy, but it seems every time we need something, God provides,” Robinson said.

Dr. Bob Crossman, Arkansas Conference director of new church starts and congregational advancement, spoke to those gathered for the constituting service.

“I believe the Lord has placed you in just the right place,” he said. “Just within two miles of this building, 9,000 people live. On a typical Sunday, about 6,500 of them stay home. Christ Way can reduce that number.”

Bishop Charles Crutchfield offered encouragement to the congregation: “Use the gifts of God, and this church will not only be a success, it will be a roaring success,” he said.

At the end of the process of constitution, Boggan gave Bishop Crutchfield the final word. The bishop stepped forward with a smile and officially proclaimed, “You are constituted now.” Applause, cheers and shouts of praise filled the sanctuary.

Heyl, a member of Brookland UMC, is a journalism major at Arkansas State University, and is active in the Wesley Foundation campus ministry.