| Our History |
| Morrow Bible church began in 1983 with a vision by our Pastor, Marvin Gassman, to establish a Bible Preaching church in Morrow County that was faithful to the whole council of God. Having lived and worshipped in the community for 10 years, when our local church took a turn that violated the Biblical principles of ecclesiastical separation, it became necessary in 1978 for the Gassmans to seek church fellowship elsewhere. This led the family to Sunbury Bible church, a small work pastored by Robert Mazzie. In time, another family of like convictions, Jim and Nancy Page with children Randy and Melissa, also left and began attending in Sunbury. As it became obvious the former church was set in its direction, the burden began to grow to establish a much needed local church in the Morrow County area. The Page family shared the vision and together, in October of 1982, we began Wednesday night Bible study with another young couple from Chesterville who had made a profession of faith and had been coming to church with us on Sunday. We met in the home of the Gassmans, at Peniel Bible Camp. After several months, the decision was made to begin regular services on May 1st, 1983. Furniture was rearranged and folding chairs set up. Although many invitations were made, the only visitors were an older couple who lived behind the camp. The first months were disappointing as the first families did not remain faithful. Many weeks church … (SS, morning, evening and WED) were comprised of only the Gassmans and Pages. Door to door visitation was a regular part of the week’s activities. Occasionally neighbors came, and some became part of us. It was a special encouragement when Marlean and Allen Rhea came with their three little boys, and then Vaughn and Donna Robinsons came with their little granddaughters. Both families had also dealt with the issues of separation before leaving their former church. John and Micki DeWeese were among those who came to know the Lord in their home. John, who had emphysema, had a special seat reserved for him at church by an open window which was needed to give him fresh air. Summertime brought extra visitors with those who came to camp. It was always a surprise to people visiting our “house church” to find a formal worship setting. Church pews were purchased at an auction of furnishings from the Mt. Tabor Methodist Church north of Williamsport. Although someone else purchased the matching pulpit, a couple years later Pastor heard that it was not in use and went with Jim Page to Millwood, Ohio to buy it. Both the pulpit and pews are now used in the teen classroom. The living room had now become a permanent sanctuary. As our little Sunday School expanded into bedroom and basement, house cleaning each weekend took on a new perspective. The kitchen table was moved into the family room for another class and chairs were set up to add seating for church. With the pulpit set in the doorway, pastor had to preach to a divided congregation, which proved difficult to have a unified song service. A large window opening was cut between the two rooms. An accordion door was installed and draperies hung in the new window to separate the rooms during Sunday School.The older young people were utilized in the ministry: teaching class, playing piano, and song leading. During the summer they conducted five day clubs at the homes of some of the families. At Christmas the children got involved presenting the story of Christ’s coming. The back rooms and hallway provided good staging. As new families came in, all were encouraged to develop their talents by participating in the special music which we had each Sunday. We rejoiced to see the work God was doing and much thought was given to the need for other facilities. This hunt led to our present church building which had been abandoned years earlier by the Methodist church when they consolidated with the Sparta church. In the fall of 1987 inquiry was made and a purchase price of $4,000 was agreed upon. We were anxious to make the move before winter but much work needed to be done before moving in. Though on first look, the sanctuary appeared to be well kept, the walls were quite dingy from years of needing paint and the ceiling showed water spots from leaks. In the basement the concrete walls were deteriorating, the present kitchen area was stacked high with wet, moldy newspapers and there was no plumbing in the church for rest room facilities. Plus, stories of the old building spoke of the basement turning into an ice skating rink in wet cold weather! Though told we could begin renovation we knew the importance of not starting work until paper work was complete. We were, however, able to acquire all the proper permits while we waited. Weeks turned into months with no final word. Finally, Pastor Gassman contacted the Methodists headquarters to find that our papers had gotten buried on someone’s desk. In a short time, we had a contract in hand and work began. It was now just three weeks before Easter and our goal was set to be moved by then. Besides the cleaning, painting and wall repair, this also meant putting in a well, septic system with leach bed, tearing up the cement floor to install bathroom plumbing, and building bathroom partitions. Of course, all of this needed to be done with their necessary inspections from one step to the next. Women cleaned, patched walls, painted and carried in meals. Men came to work day or evening as their schedules allowed, while pastor stayed there full time to direct the work, coming home for only a few hours sleep at night. Work proceeded at an amazing rate with the Lord sending inspectors at just the right time to keep the work going. Exhausted but thrilled, we met in our new church Resurrection Sunday, 1988, after five years in the Gassman home. The church had approximately $20,000 in a building fund which proved sufficient to complete the work. Over the years since then, much has been invested: storm windows, insulation, siding, and a new and heating and air conditioning system. Subsequent problems with water in the basement revealed why the Lord detained us that first winter. A wall was built at the back of the sanctuary to close off the parent room and side walks were poured around the church. Kitchen facilities were put in with donated cabinets just in time for our first wedding: Lora June Gassman to Jay Lobach. After a couple hot sticky summers, with attendees taking home finish from the pews on their clothes, the women took on the massive project of stripping the pews which had been painted and antiqued! A few years later, new carpeting was laid, padding added to the pews, and windows dressed to give a softer finishing touch to the sanctuary. As with any church, families have come and gone bringing both joy and sorrow, but the Lord has blessed with a slow steady growth as we have seen many trust the Lord. Our church has always been recognized for its warm, friendly people who love the Lord and desire to walk in obedience. From the beginning an emphasis has been placed on godly music and involving everyone possible that shared a godly testimony. It is always a joy to see new couples sing together to the glory of God. When Lora June, our first pianist, married, we wondered who would play the piano. In God’s providence, He called John DeWeese home, allowing Micki, who had been taking lessons from Lora June, to put her training to work. She has faithfully served at the piano since that time, sharing the ministry with others as they have grown and matured in their music abilities. Though a small congregation, we have never lacked for good music, especially at holiday seasons, whether as individuals or choirs which were formed for special events. Junior choirs over the years have laid the foundation for many of our youth in their music training. The special music talents of the Gassman girls, followed by Eric Rea and the Dahlhausen girls, proved a tremendous asset to the church. They enhanced the rest of us as we made a joyful noise unto the Lord! We look with anticipation to the days ahead with our many young families to see how the Lord will use them in His service. Missions has also had a special emphasis in the Morrow Bible Church ministry. It has been a joy to participate in the spread of the Gospel through our prayer, and financial support, and taking mission teams to both Mexico and Uruguay. It is now a special blessing to have several of our own young people serving in missions and other full time Christian work. In 1997 the Women’s Ministry Fellowship was formed as a helping arm of the church. They serve in many areas to enhance the ministry of our local church and outreach of our women, taking a special interest in the communication and encouragement of our missionaries. As a local outreach, for the last several years, Pastor Gassman has written the column “God’s Word for Today’s World” for local papers, which has a large readership. For several years, the Children’s Bible Club ministries under the direction of Marilyn Rea have brought the message of the Gospel to many children in Chesterville and Mt. Gilead. Seeing the need to plan for some additional expansion, in 2001 the Church was able to purchase three and one half acres of land adjoining their property on the north. In August of 2004 construction began on an addition to provide a new foyer, two new classrooms, an office, much needed larger restroom facilities and an elevator for handicap access to both the upstairs sanctuary and the downstairs fellowship hall. By the Lord's grace this was completed and paid for, by August of 2005. Future expansion? The new addition was planned to facilitate both the old building and a new sanctuary that would be added at its north wall. The Church is looking for the leading and provision of the Lord before taking this next step.As we reflect upon these last twenty years ministry of our church, we rejoice in the many who have come to know the Lord, and have grown in their walk with Him. We pray that Morrow Bible Church will remain usable for His glory until He comes again.
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Proclaiming
"God's Word
For Today's World."
Faithfully
Proclaiming God's
Word For Over 25 Years.
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