Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 3, 1991 TAG: 9102010265
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Frances Stebbins
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Long
At Christian Growth Center, 1850 Electric Way, last Sunday, at least one-third of the congregation of about 225 was black or part of an interracial family.
"We're proud of that because we're all equal in the Lord," the Rev. Don Covey, associate minister, said at the close of the two-hour service that started at 10:30 a.m. It had been preceded by what are called growth classes at 9:30. Except on first Sundays, there also is an evening service at 6:30 aimed at youth. At 7 on the first Friday night of the month, the congregation gathers for an "Hour of Power" prayer period.
Seeing a white preacher leading worship with a black pianist and black song leader, with ushers and choir coming from both races, surprised me, although several such congregations are growing fast in Roanoke Valley suburbs.
Students of church trends have written that black worshipers are drawn to recently formed congregations with a majority of people under 45 who have grown up without legal segregation. Interracial couples and their children, who often perceive they are not accepted in long-established churches, also seem to like the openness of congregations such as Christian Growth Center.
Too, visits to Western Virginia churches have shown me, an open show of feelings is common in all-black congregations, even the Baptist, Methodist and Roman Catholic, where white groups are more staid.
In the many charismatic Christian fellowships such as Christian Growth Center, feelings run high. People of both races and all economic groups have told me they seek the disappearance of worldly barriers of thought and culture to their union with Jesus.
Christian Growth Center is only 8 years old and typical of churches that grew out of the charismatic renewal movement of the 1960s, Gene Smith, an early member told me. Its members come from many religious backgrounds. A building on Roanoke Street was soon outgrown and a warehouse between Hubble Lighting and a housing development was converted into worship space.
Three years ago, major renovations, with ample parking space in the rear, were completed. Painted gray inside and out, the church has none of the stained glass, ornate altars or carved wood found in older buildings.
Charismatic Christians who claim allegiance to no organized denomination say they need no such trappings, for those written about in the Book of Acts used houses or simple halls to pray, commune and consider the meaning of scripture.
From the beginning of its life, the growth center has been served by the Rev. Rob Sowell and his wife, Tricia, who receive equal billing on the outdoor sign and promotional materials. The Sowells were away last week at a pastoral seminar in the West.
The minister often makes a play on his name, saying he is sowing seeds of the Gospel in the town. "Seedstore" is the name of the church library, where books and periodicals teaching charismatic Christianity are available all week long. The roomy entrance hall's gray carpet is decorated with the Bible figure of a sower scattering words of praise.
You do not receive a bulletin on entering the center. Instead, last Sunday there was a folder containing eight spiritual songs, of which four were sung at the beginning of worship. Leading the songs was Bridget Valentine, who within minutes had used her black gospel style to bring worshipers to their feet with arms upraised, hands clapping and feet tapping.
The eight-member choir, its music amplified by microphones in front of the artificial flowers and greenery at the clear plastic pulpit, sang numbers such as "We Do Declare that the Kingdom of God Is Here" several times. Many of all ages swayed and prayed, as Pentecostals say, "in the spirit." Even the piano rhythms of Curtis Carr changed their cadence.
When Covey in his tan suit welcomed worshipers, he asked the Holy Spirit to "come in." Though God lives and is displayed in people, he said, "the church building becomes the place where folks know God dwells. He's here to meet our needs."
The associate pastor devoted more than five minutes to updating the debt-reduction drive. Having paid off $167,000 in three years and needing about $3,000 monthly to meet a goal of being debt-free in five years, Covey said it's a sign of spiritual as well as material growth.
Covey began his sermon at 11:15 after the 45-minute warm-up of music, announcements and prayers. He called it "The Spirit of Courage" and said it had "burdened" him for several days yet was not fully developed in theme.
He used the story of David and Goliath to show the power God gives any believer who acts with "a mind steadfast-fixed on God." Layoffs and war fears have no power over the Christian who has principles and knows where his strength comes from, Covey asserted, his voice rising and falling with dramatic effect.
At one point, to illustrate the giant Goliath's size, he stood on a riser behind worship leader Smith, who said he is 6 feet 5 inches tall. A small boy was called up from the chairs for contrast.
The service came to an end with an affirmation of faith that Covey instructed worshipers to repeat after him. A brief altar call brought no converts, but after the service several members conferred with the minister about personal concerns.
by CNB