We are a Bible believing non-denominational church
Mission Statement
Changing our world as we:
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- Learn God’s Love
- Live God’s Love
- Share God’s Love
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What We Believe
In the name of God we declare and confess before all men, that we believe in the only true God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; that these three are one the Father in the Son, and Son in the Father, and the Holy Ghost equal in essence or being with both; that this triune God created the heavens and the earth and all that in them is, visible as well as invisible, and furthermore sustains, governs, protects and supports the same.
We believe in Jesus Christ; that He is very God and man; that He became incarnate by the power of the Holy Ghost in the Virgin Mary and was born of her; that He is the Savior and Mediator of the whole human race, if they with full faith in Him accept the grace proffered in Jesus; that this Jesus suffered and died on the cross for us, was buried, arose again on the third day, ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God to intercede for us; and that He shall come again at the last day to judge the quick and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Ghost; that He is equal in being with the Father and the Son, and that He comforts the faithful, and guides them into all truth.
We believe in a Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
We believe that the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the Word of God; that it contains the only true way to our salvation; that every true Christian is bound to acknowledge and receive it with the influence of the Spirit of God as the only rule and guide; and that without faith in Jesus Christ, true repentance, forgiveness of sins and following after Christ, no one can be a true Christian.
We also believe that what is contained in the Holy Scriptures, to-wit: The fall in Adam and redemption through Jesus Christ, shall be preached throughout the world. We believe that the ordinances: Repentance, Baptism and Communion (the remembrance of the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ), are to be in use and practiced by all Christian societies; and that it is the duty and obligation of all the children of God to practice them. The like figure where unto even baptism doth also now save us (Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (I Peter 3:21)
Church History
1953 – Founded by Pastor Dean Overholt and his wife, Almah as part of the United Brethren Church, first meeting in the current Old Time Methodist Church building
1954 – Purchased current property on Whitneyville and began meeting in the neighbor’s basement while raising funds to build
1964 – Completed construction on the church building
1973 – Left the United Brethren Conference and incorporated as Whitneyville Church of Jesus Christ
1973 – Pastor Dean Overholt became paralyzed from cancer, so layman Ed Douse and local preacher Brian Shook helped with preaching duties
1974 – James Groendyke Sr. and Richard Ford, both laymen of the church, assumed preaching duties
1974 – Pastor Dean Overholt died, and James Groendyke Sr. took over as leader of the church, along with his wife Judy
2002 – Church name was changed to Whitneyville Fellowship Church, to avoid confusion with the Church of the Later Day Saints
2004 – Began construction on the Fellowship Hall located behind the church
2005 – Phase I of the Fellowship Hall construction was completed and the building was dedicated to the Lord
2005 – Pastor James Groendyke, Sr. passed away suddenly
2006 – Search began for a new pastor to lead and grow the church
2007 – In April, Don Crawford was chosen by the congregation to serve as our new pastor, along with his wife Sue
2017 – In March, Ed Carpenter was chosen by the congregation to serve as our new pastor, along with his wife Jackie
Whitneyville Fellowship Celebrated 65 Years with special service on October 14, 2018
65 years of ministry was celebrated as Whitneyville Fellowship Church hosted a Reunion Sunday on October 14, 2018. The service included a video presentation and narrative of the church’s history, special music representing the songs of the times and stories of those who used to sing them, followed by Pastor Ed Carpenter’s message. A luncheon for all was held in the fellowship hall following the service. The congregation invited any members of the community to attend, and encouraged those who have attended in the past to come and share their memories. The church is located at 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 48th and 52nd Streets.
The church ministry was started in 1953 by Pastor Dean Overholt and his wife Almah, under the direction of the United Brethren in Christ Church. They originally gathered in the Old Time Methodist Church on Whitneyville south of 52nd Street, which was unused at that time, fixing up the grounds and the church after a time of vacancy. A year later a strip of land on Whitneyville near 48th Street became available and was purchased by the Overholts for $500 on behalf of the congregation. The neighbors to the south generously offered the basement of their new home for the congregation to meet while raising money to build the new church.
In 1960 the cement block church basement was completed and the congregation was able to begin meeting in their own building. The flat roof over the basement also served as a stage for the preacher and singers during the outdoor drive-in services that were held on summer Sunday evenings. Visitors would park on the lawn and listen to the music and message from their cars. The basement would serve as the sanctuary and class rooms until 1964 when a loan was obtained to finish the church building.
In 1973 the congregation voted to become an independent non-denominational church under the name of Whitneyville Church of Jesus Christ. Pastor Overholt had become paralyzed due to cancer but continued to serve from his wheelchair until his passing in 1974. Several pastors served for a short time after him, with his grandson Jim Groendyke Sr. eventually leading the church for 30 years before his passing in 2005. He was succeeded by Don Crawford who served for 10 years, followed by Ed Carpenter who serves today.
The church name was changed to Whitneyville Fellowship Church in 2002. Despite the many changes, the church’s mission has remained the same through the years – to serve the community by spreading God’s love and the message of Jesus Christ. This has included weekly services, Sunday School, prayer meetings and Bible studies as well as scheduled community soup suppers, food drives for those in need and Christian movie nights. A line from one of Pastor Overholt’s last sermons illustrates the impact that one individual can make in the world. “You can count the seeds in an apple but who can count the apples in a seed?”