Two local churches expand into Gainesville buildings for additional services, outreach and other possibilities
Two Gainesville-area churches are expanding their activities into recently purchased or rented buildings here.
Restoration Church, a ministry of Mammoth Assembly of God
Mammoth Assembly of God will hold its first service in the former Suter Pawn Shop building on First Street in Gainesville at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 7. Pastor Ron Felker, pictured above left with wife Tracy, told the Times the new weekly service will be a “come-as-you-are” gathering featuring contemporary music and a friendly, casual tone in the building the church is renting. “We wanted to give people some more options for worship,” he said. Named Restoration Church, the new service is “a ministry, or mission, of Mammoth Assembly,” Felker said, adding that the home church will continue to have Sunday morning services in its building on T Highway at Mammoth. Everyone is invited. The church is also building a new website, he said. For more information, call Felker at 417-830-4552, or call the church at 417-679-4460.
First Baptist Church, Gainesville
First Baptist Church in Gainesville has purchased the former Senior Citizens Center and adjoining vacant lots on Third Street in Gainesville across from the church. Pastor Mason Eslinger, pictured above right, said the church hopes to use the building as a “community outreach center” and has already used the site for its occasional free food distributions. Eslinger said the church is still making decisions about other uses for that property as well as for its former youth center building farther east on Third Street, next to Smokin’ Joe’s restaurant. “We’re building space to better serve our community,” Eslinger said. The congregation is hosting a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 6, to discuss possible uses of the new building. Regular Sunday services begin with Sunday school for all ages at 9:45 a.m., followed by 10:45 a.m. worship service. For more information, call Eslinger at 417-989-0403, leave a message at the church, 417-679-4473 or visit the church’s website, gainesvillefbc.org or its Facebook page First Baptist Church - Gainesville.