COLONY — Darren McGhee remembers a time not that long ago when maybe 20 or 30 folks would gather for Sunday services at Colony Christian Church.
Occasionally, a new member would join the congregation. Then another.
But a shift a few years back to reach out to youngsters of all ages is likely the driving force behind the church’s slow but steady growth, to the point the old building is bulging at the seams.
That led to the church’s decision about two years ago to begin construction of a new facility.
That pace has been slow and steady.
“I wish I could give you a completion date,” Pastor Chase Riebel said.
But with construction hinging exclusively on labor and funds from church members, the pace goes at its own speed.
Nevertheless, with the new building’s shell in place at 211 Catalpa St., immediately south of the baseball and softball fields, the congregation will gather Sunday morning for Easter sunrise services.
“The idea for that is an empty tomb, like an empty building,” Riebel said.
Regular services will return to the old church building later in the morning.
RIEBEL described the church’s growth as God’s will.
McGhee agrees, but says Riebel is being a bit too modest.
“As elders, we see that Chase and Jess (Riebel’s wife) have done an excellent job of working with the youth, to keep them interested. They’ll do lots of events for young families, and our youth participation has really grown.”
“My wife and I always had this desire to be a part of a church that incorporated services for kids,” Riebel said.
(For good reason; the couple has six children of their own.)
