How We’ve Grown (Our History)
The word “church” in the New Testament literally means “called out one.” In light of this, it is important to note that the “the church” consists of people, not buildings; it’s an organism, not an organization.
In September of 1981, a small group of people began what was to become the Cumberland Church of Christ. Eight Christians, Ray, Wanda, Judieth and Lisa Carman; Bill and Ruth Rowe; and Robin and Terri Vinovich were the founding members. The newly formed congregation began meeting in Carman’s Spring Crest Drapery Center. In October of the same year, the congregation moved to a store front location at 601 ½ South Highway 27. Soon others joined us and the infant congregation began to grow. Bill, Ray and Robin served as worship leaders in those early days. Bob Grider preached the first sermon in our assembly.
Honor to whom honor is due
In 1980 the Columbia Avenue congregation in Glasgow, as part of it’s mission of planting churches in Kentucky, was the most instrumental in Cumberland becoming a reality. In our first five plus years they ministered to us in prayer, financial help and personal involvement. Whether a few or a bus load, Columbia Avenue encouraged us in our Sunday AM assemblies. Also our brothers from Glasgow, Howard White, Jim Stephens and Barry Stevens were selfless in their teaching and preaching. What a blessing! Words cannot express our appreciation for their tireless devotion to our vision.
Additionally, heartfelt thanks to the family at Middletown, KY for their prayers and assistance in those early years. To Earl Collins and Mike Moss teaching and preaching; thank God for these brothers and their families, THANKS!!
Over the course of the next few years God continued to bless Cumberland in special ways. Some events of note: revivals, seminars, work shops to keep us focused and in community outreach. Special thanks to Dean Buchanan, Henderson KY; Don Taylor, Kosciusko, MS; Charles Rickman, Columbia, KY; Barry Stevens, Glasgow, KY and Albert Hill, Alabama.
In May 1983, Steve Brown from Atlanta, GA along with wife Diane and daughters Meliah and Becky, joined Cumberland as its first full time minister.
New members were added and community outreach continued with a Marriage Enrichment Seminar at the Somerset High School auditorium. In June 1984, Steve returned to Atlanta to secular employment and to preach part time.
Bill and Robbie Cannon joined Cumberland in April 1985 and great things began to happen. After much prayer and discussion, we purchased the one acre site for our present facility. Afterwards we purchased five additional acres for parking and expansion.
What we are today would not have been possible were it not for the tireless efforts of our own Bill Cannon. In his relationships with sister congregations, he asked and they responded with a generous outpouring of support in making our dream a reality. Heartfelt thanks to: Columbia Avenue, Glasgow, KY; Roanoke in Texas; Tusculum, Nashville, TN; Crieve Hall, Nashville, TN; Lebanon, Sedalia, KY; Middletown, KY; Coral Hill, Glasgow, KY; North Lexington, KY and Southside, Lexington, KY. There are other churches and individuals for which there is no record. Words are inadequate to express our appreciation to Bill for his labor of love.
In the mean time we continued to add new members, ministries and outreach to the community and surrounding areas with the Good News. We were privileged to have Jack Exum conduct a stewardship seminar entitled, “Three Usual Days,” We saw a twofold increase in our commitment to giving. We also began looking to Russell County with the view of planting a church there.
What a banner year 1986 was to be. The ground breaking ceremony happened in April. June 8th the construction contract was awarded to Oneal Ard. It was full steam ahead. Lee Gentry and Bill Row were our construction superintendents. Members formed teams to select color schemes, carpet, pain, and cabinets and so on and a thousand other details. On January 4, 1987 our first assembly was held in the fellowship hall. The building was not complete, no pews yet. On March 1, 1987 we had an open house to invite the community to celebrate the completion of the new building. The new facility was dedicated on March 22, 1987. Appropriately, Howard White preached our dedicatory sermon. We enjoyed a full house with Elders and members from Columbia Avenue, other congregations and from the community.
At the time construction began average attendance was 28. One year after moving into the facility attendance averaged 60. Another event to note, a congregation was planted in Russell Springs. Keith Warren a graduate of I.B.C., Florence, AL jointed the congregation.
More firsts for Cumberland: on August 12 and 13th, 1988 we were in a congregational planning retreat at the Kentucky Leadership Center at Jabez. Beginning in January 1989 the average attendance was 75. We became fully self-supporting. We in turn began helping with the work in Russell Springs.
In December 1989, Bill Cannon began to serve as our interim minister and counselor.
On March 1, 1990 Grady Starkey joined Cumberland as the full-time minister. Grady, his wife Debbie and son Grady II moved from Ironton, OH. We continued to grow and great things happened. Of note was the We Care Crusade, June 12-19, 1994, with Larry West. Fifty plus volunteers from 13 different states joined in the community-wide outreach resulting in 26 people obeying the gospel. In August, 1995 Grady moved to East Peoria, IL.
In September, 1995 Bill and Judy Wallace began their labor of love at Cumberland. Attendance continued to increase and in the late 90’s, it became apparent that the church would require a new worship center. The first service was January, 24, 1999.
In January 2004, Ed Bialon joined Cumberland as the full time evangelist. Ed and his wife Joyce moved here from Marysville, OH.
The average attendance was 135.
Gordy Prather was the part-time youth minister.
Bill Cannon, George Blackburn, James Moss, and Dale Prather were our elders.
August 2004 we lost Bill Cannon.
Money raised and new projection system installed in the new AV room that was built upstairs.
2005 – Gordy Prather accepted a full time youth position in Florida.
Church put up a billboard sign free for a year
January of 2006 Craig and Linda Simon began working as the full time youth minister.
Phone tree installed to call members with information. Hearing aids made available during worship times for members with hearing problems
Mission Statement adopted: “Growing in Faith, Serving in Love, Sharing our Hope”
Dale Prather left as elder to move to Florida.
Baptisms in 2006 = 13
Placed membership in 2006 = 29
January 9, 2007 – Church building debt was paid off! (12 years early)
Feb 4, 2007Jim Cherry was added as an elder
May of 2007 Steve and Rose Dodge began working as the full time youth minister
New concrete poured by overhang area
Stafford North from Oklahoma did meeting on Revelation
Baptisms in 2007 = 7
Placed membership in 2007 = 10
Feb 2008 James Moss went into the nursing home
May of 2008 Robin Vinovich was added as an elder.
May 2008 Ted Ballback resigned as deacon.
2 additional classrooms and 2 bathrooms were added in the basement
Oklahoma group came to help conduct our VBS and give us ideas for next year
Ed Bialon started a new outreach program for the community. He helps the judge with marriages of people who have no church home. Hopes to help the couples and more importantly help with their spiritual lives.
Nov of 2008 we started a new program called “Monday Night for the Master” we meet each Monday evening and assign visits/calls and send cards and have prayer for people needing extra support or encouragement.
Dec of 2008 George Blackburn stepped down as elder
Dec of 2008 John Rowland stepped down as a deacon
2008 our average attendance is 152.
Baptisms for 2008 = 15
Placed membership through Sept 17, 2008 = 10