It�ll be a time to honor the past, celebrate the present and look to the future.
Bell Fork Church of Christ will celebrate its 60th anniversary with events and revival services throughout the weekend. Ricardo Morgan, chairman of the church�s anniversary committee and life long member of the church, said the ceremonies will offer historical perspective as well as a look into the church�s future.
One aspect of the church�s past that will be celebrated is the late Matthew Moore, who served as the church�s minister for more than 15 years in the 1970s and 1980s. Moore is credited in his obituary with starting the first meals on wheels campaign in the Jacksonville area. Morgan said Moore is a �legend� in Jacksonville who practiced what he preached.
Those sentiments were echoed by the church�s current minister, Luis Lugo. Lugo, who has been the church�s minister since 2008, met Moore late in his life and called him an �uncommon� man that loved his church and his community. Moore died in 2010.
Lugo, a reformed Philadelphia gang member, said he wants the community know the Bell Fork Church of Christ is a community oriented church that cares about reaching to Jacksonville and beyond. Lugo cited the church�s gleaning ministry which picks vegetables and donates them to those in need of fresh food.
Each day of the celebration, a revival service will be held at 7 p.m. with a different event occurring at 6 p.m., including a catered banquet on Saturday, June 22and a special Sunday anniversary service that will honor long time members of the church.
Lugo said the ceremony will not only celebrate the past and present, but look to future plans for the church. That includes an online, two year Bible School program to develop new church leadership.
Morgan said that while the church is celebrating its own accomplishments and history, these events are open for the community as a whole.
�If you are one of God�s people � someone who cares about the community and their relationship with the Lord, you ought to come,� said Morgan.
Want to Go? Bell Fork Church of Christ�s 60th Anniversary celebration will include a 6 p.m.banquet on Saturday, June 22and a special anniversary service the following day at 10 a.m.at their location on 321 Bell Fork Road. All events are free of charge.