THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 10, 1994 TAG: 9406090178
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 28 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: 940610 LENGTH: Medium
``The Lord directed our hearts in this move and he is showing us the way,'' said Smith, as he sat atop an old wooden table on a recently acquired 32-acre parcel of land near the Municipal Center. The site will be the home of Courthouse Baptist Church.
{REST} Until four months ago, Smith and his 300-member congregation formed Victory Baptist Church at the northern terminus of Indian Lakes Boulevard in Kempsville. A new church, The Road to Emmaus, bought the building and has been holding services there.
``We asked for guidance and direction in this, and I think in our hearts, we received the right answer,'' said Smith. The old Victory Baptist has changed its name to Courthouse Baptist to reflect its future location and has been holding services in Kempsville Middle School since Feb. 1.
The new home of Courthouse Baptist sits on Princess Anne Road across from the post office. A brick house rests where a sanctuary may one day be built. The lot is heavily wooded, with 600 feet of frontage on Princess Anne and a deep back yard running to a tree line several hundred yards from the house.
``We looked at six pieces of property when we decided to move and all of them were right around in this area,'' said Smith. ``This was the Godwin farm.''
The church purchased the land from a failed commercial real estate venture. It paid $350,000 for the front seven acres and has an option to buy the remaining 27.
For now, the church will move slowly. The plan is to build in two or three phases, according to Smith, with an education wing to be completed first and a sanctuary later.
``The city liked the plans we showed them. The architecture would be in keeping with this historic district, similar to the style of the municipal center.''
To herald its move, Courthouse Baptist Church is putting on a 16th Anniversary/Homecoming Celebration Sunday under a tent on the grounds. Smith began preaching at Victory 16 years ago.
Charlie Hughes, a prominent evangelist, will attend and speak.
``Charlie had an accident on the Jersey Turnpike about 16 or 17 years ago and wasn't expected to live through the first night,'' said Smith. ``The doctors told his father they didn't think he would make it. They were ready to donate his organs.'' Hughes now has a ministry for divorced people, single and forgotten people, Smith said.
A woman with a moving story of guilt and redemption will sing and offer testimony at the Sunday event.
``We have a goal of 300 people. Everyone's welcome to attend. We're going to have Sunday school at 9:45, morning service at 11 and a big dinner at 12:15 or so,'' said Smith. For information, call him at 430-CORT or 474-2950.
Smith has had his own moments of doubt and pain. The former football player, teacher and coach said he tried for years to seek satisfaction through means other than religion.
``I earned a master's in education at the University of Virginia, coached high school football and taught,'' he said. ``I was brought up in a Christian home, but couldn't live up to the expectations of the church.
``I tried to satisfy myself through sports. Something was missing.''
Smith found the missing part on Oct. 22, 1969.
``I received Jesus Christ as my personal savior. I haven't had to look for contentment since that day.''
Smith left coaching, returned to school and earned a second master's, this one in theology.
He looked out over the acreage and smiled.
``Money is an obstacle that has to be overcome with faith. However, the soul of one man is worth more than all the money in the world,'' he said.
by CNB