In June 1992, Rev. Rob Weber was given $3000
and directed to start a church in south Shreveport. After learning
about new church development, Rev. Weber began working with a core group
of 25-50 people. They met at Live Oak Retirement Community on Sunday
evenings for study and planning. The work received a boost when a
newspaper ran a front page article on the new congregation.
In September 1992, the core group began a
telephone calling campaign, followed by a 5-week mailing campaign to generate
interest in the church. The attendance was 302 for the first worship
service, held at Captain Shreve High School on December 5, 1992,
Classrooms were used for nurseries. Average attendance at the beginning
was about 175, but it steadily grew.
The church was opened for membership with
a Celebration Service on February 14, 1993. The church received 150
adults and 55 children that day. The Constituting Conference was
held later that day to officially make it a United Methodist congregation.
In March 1996, the congregation moved into
a 26,000 sq. ft. facility on 18 acres of land. The youth area was
expanded and parking lots paved in 1997. Saturday evening services
began in 1998. A Master Plan for use of the site, including cooperation
with the YMCA camp next door, was developed in 2002. Work began on
a community hall, new office space, and an expansion of the children and
youth facilities in 2003. |
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