I live about 30 minutes away from DS church. I frequented that church as a teenager during DS's early years as pastor. He preached my best friend's funeral. We have spoken a few times in social settings. I haven't been able to visit his church the past few years, but I have contact with people who go to that church. The guy is a class act. DS inherited a circus when he came to Parkersburg. People left the church over the name change. People left when he decided to remodel the sanctuary. People left when he decided to preach to stop preaching from the manual. He took a church so entrenched in non-essentials and transformed that into a powerhouse.
DS has been accused of being a charismatic by at least a couple of district officials I know. Could explain why the urgency of planting upci churches within 5 miles of CLC.
Since DS became pastor of that church, 3 upci churches were started within 15 miniutes of that church and one aljc changed affiliations. 90% of their church growth comes form disgruntled clc alumni.
While other churches in that area are hiding their candles under bushels, DS is reaching not only his city, but in neighboring areas as well. While other won't associate with people outside thier spiritual race, DS was asked by the mayor to lead the city in prayer at the National Day of Prayer. DS prayer is still being talked about years after as being one of the most powerful prayers at that service.
The rest of the upci churches in that area are wannabe's. I'll have to visit the CLC website and pay homage to a great man and a great church.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam
Christian Life Center in Parkersburg WV now has a web site.
I didn't realize this until earlier this evening when Neckstadt emailed me with the url.
To find the church site, go to:
http://wvclc.net/contact.html
The pastor is Delton Smith.
He has been there for quite a few years now.
We were there to visit them in June 1990.
That was the only time I've been to Parkersburg.
Delton Smith is married to my wife's cousin, Jean.
Jean's mother and my wife's mother were sisters.
|