How We've Grown (Our History)

The word "church" in the New Testament literally means "called out ones". In light of this, it is important to note that "the Church" consists of people, not buildings; it is 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, Judith and Lisa Carman; Bill and Ruth Row; 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 1/2 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 it's 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 of 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 of 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 Country 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 O'Neal Ard.  It was full steam ahead.  Lee Gentry and Bill Row were our construction superintendents.  Members formed teams to select color schemes, carpet, paint, 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 as 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 of note, a congregation was planted in Russell Springs.  Keith Warren, a graduate of I.B.C., Florence, AL joined the congregation.

On December 20, 1987 Ray Carmen, Lee Gentry and James Moss were ordained as Elders.  On January 10, 1988, Jim Cherry, Lloyd Eastham, Willis Eadens and Robin Vinovich were ordained as Deacons.

More firsts for Cumberland:  on August 12 & 13, 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.