Church History
2007-2010
Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
History Oct. 2007 to Present
Our Mission Statement: ‘Taking the message and ministry of God’s love to our community and the world.’
The church received an endowment of $130,000 from the Fred King Estate in December, 2007. The principal will earn interest and the dividends are designated by the estate for the youth program.
The 2nd Sunday of each month has been designated as Building Fund Emphasis Sunday.
On April 13, 2008, the church voted to call Lee Hall as Musical Worship Leader.
In May, 2008 the 16 windows in the fellowship hall were replaced at a cost of $9,625.
On May 21, 2008, Karem Marin began her duties as the Ministry Assistant. Karem is the wife of Rev. Wilmer Marin, Hispanic pastor in Lavonia.
On June 8, 2008, the recommendation to call Joshua Harvill as our associate pastor was approved. On the same date Jeff Floyd was elected to fill Tommy Smith’s position as a trustee.
June 13, 2008, was Janna McCollum last day as the Ministry Assistant.
Joshua Harvill began work as the associate pastor on Monday, June 23, 2008. Many church members attended his ordination service in July at Prince Avenue Baptist Church’s college ministry building, The Overlook, next to the University of Georgia’s campus.
In July, 2008, the traditional Sunday School and Discipleship Training Directors were replaced with an Educational Leadership Team. Members of the team are Wayne Chitwood, Mike Bruce, Judy Carter, and Lisa Sewell.
On August 10, 2008, Mike Bruce, Curtis Henson, and Emory Vickery were elected to serve as deacons.
Joshua Harvill, Associate Pastor, and Mary Usher were married on Oct. 4, 2008, in Savannah, GA.
In October, 2008, new and revised G.R.O.W. Teams were launched - (God Reaching Our World) “G” Team – Youth Targeting – Captain Joshua Harvill; “R” Team – Homebound and Caregivers – Captain Carolyn Wilson; “O” Team – Inactive Members – Captain Tommy Carlton. “W” Team – Unchurched Families and Students – Captain Teresa Bruce.
The Friendship Builder’s Ministry began in 2008. The focus of this ministry is to build relationships with other people, to expand our territory for Christ, to reach out to visitors and help them to feel welcome, and to reach out to un-churched people and help them to learn more about a relationship with Christ. There were 50+ people who originally signed up to be involved. They were divided into groups of about eight each. For four months each group rotated monthly to four different homes or locations for dinner and fellowship.
October 26, 2008 – An exciting day at Pleasant Hill. We had the Ground Breaking Ceremony for our new church building.
The Fall Festival was held at the end of October, 2008, Hanging of the Greens in Nov., and the Deacons’ Christmas Fellowship at 211 Main on Dec. 2.
January, 2009 – The SGLT Breakfast for Small Group Leaders
April, 2009 – On the night of Good Friday, 2009, a tornado ripped through Franklin County, affecting many members of our church and community. This provided a time of reaching out, sharing, and supporting each other.
July, 2009 - Judy D. Carter served as church pianist from 1983-2009 after beginning as an assistant organist and pianist in 1971.
August, 2009 – Jeff Floyd and David Thurman were elected as Deacons.
Sept. 20, 2009 – Dr. Ross Layne resigned effective immediately during the regular business conference. Upon the resignation the Deacons offered a severance package voted on by the church membership.
Sept. 27, 2009 – Ordination Service for David Thurman as a newly elected deacon.
Oct. 26, 2009 – Celebrated 137 years of church history and the 1st anniversary of the ground-breaking for the new building – followed with a covered dish meal for World Hunger.
Nov. 1, 2009 – Delano McMinn will serve as our interim pastor with his official duties beginning Nov. 15th.
Nov. 8, 2009 – The following were elected for the pastor search committee: Travis Moon, Wayne Chitwood, Lynn South, Mike Bruce, David Thurman, and alternates were Mike Petty and Howard Eaton. The following week Wayne Chitwood resigned from the committee and Mike Petty filled his position. John Terrell was added as an alternate.
Nov. 8, 2009 – Following the morning service, the SGLT held an appreciation lunch for small group leaders and their families.
Nov. 22, 2009 – Rev. Delano McMinn, interim pastor, met with our Deacons and other leaders to set program goals and “Red Letter” calendar dates. The time of “Looking Ahead” was based on Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision the people perish!” Key focuses were:
o Five homes for Prayer Groups on Fri., Jan. 8, 2010
Jeff Floyd, Katherine Outz, Leon Denman, James Stratton, & Boyd Sewell
o Top of the Year Celebration, Jan. 10-14, 2010
o SS High Attendance Day, Feb. 7, 2010
o Project Upward 2010: Building Fund Goal for Easter Sunday: $100,000
Nov., 2009 - Hanging of the Greens continues to be a tradition at Pleasant Hill. On the Sunday afternoon that follows Thanksgiving day, there is a gathering of church folks of all ages who enjoy the fun and fellowship of decorating the church. Beginning in 2006, each year has traditions, both old and new. In 2009, a large artificial tree was donated by Mike and Teresa Bruce and was decorated by members during the Hanging of the Greens night service, as they placed ornaments, representing their family, on the tree.
Dec. 31, 2009 – Lee Hall resigned as Music Director.
Jan. 10th – 14th – Top Of The Year Celebration, with Interim Pastor Delano McMinn and former pastors Doug Goss, Doug Ferguson, Bill Walker, and Assoc. Pastor Josh Harvill, was held in the spirit, the great awakening, and the joy of revival, as a time to celebrate the Lord and Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
o Prayer Focus
Cottage Prayer Meetings began as part of the revival emphasis and have continued on a regular basis, meeting in the homes of Boyd & Lisa Sewell, Leon & Eleanor Denman, and Katherine Outz.
Feb. 7, 2010 – Pastor Search Committee recommended Josh Harvill.
Feb. 8, 2010 – The SGLT, Small Group Leadership Team, changed to SSLT, Sunday School Leadership Team.
Feb. 21, 2010 – The church elected Joshua Harvill as our pastor.
Feb. 28, 2010 – Service of Installation and Commitment for Rev. Joshua Harvill. Interim Pastor Delano McMinn conducted the service.
Guest speakers during the night service, from Ukraine, were Vera and Tim Strelchenko.
March 2010 – Updated Mission Statement for our church: Bibically Uniting Together All People for God’s Glory
March 13, 2010 – Prayer Walk on Saturday with a great turnout!
March 14, 2010 – Churchwide Dinner honoring our new pastor, Rev. Joshua Harvill, and his wife Mary.
March 21, 2010 - The following were elected for the Associate Pastor Search Committee: Wayne Randall, Beverly Harrison, Mike Bruce, Howard Eaton, Mike Petty, Jennifer Gaines, and Judy Carter.
March 28, 2010 – A “Ministry Fair” was held in the new sanctuary with displays of many of the vital ministry opportunities available at Pleasant Hill.
April 4, 2010 – Easter Sunday began with a Sunrise Service at the new sanctuary entrance followed by breakfast, the Easter Musical during the Sunday School hour, and the “Resurrection Celebration” during the 10:30 a.m. service.
The Building Fund goal for Easter Sunday was $100,000; $69,000 was given at the morning service, with another $5000 after, for a total for the month reaching $75,228.25.
April 17, 2010 – Lavonia Spring Festival & Prayer Walk: Several members participated in a second prayer walk while others manned a booth at the spring festival, distributing balloons and making salvation bracelets with the children and offering information about the church. Prayer and outreach opportunities continue to grow as main focuses of Pleasant Hill.
April 30, 2010 – The Good News Club, after school Bible club at Lavonia Elementary, completed its 7th year with record enrollment and salvations. Sixteen children accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior during this 7th year. “To God Be the Glory!” Pleasant Hill continues to be faithful in support of this outreach ministry through prayer, finances, adult and staff support, and time.
May 16, 2010 – High Attendance Day in Sunday School and Spring Fling
“Spring Fling” was held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. as a church-wide, community-wide celebration and outreach, filled with spring-themed games, food, and fellowship.
May 23, 2010 – Summer Slam! 2010 was launched as an emphasis for faithful Sunday School attendance during the summer. Members and classes focused on attendance, outreach through visits, cards, and calls, and class socials.
June 6, 2010 – Interim Associate Pastor Rev. Edward Whitworth was elected as our Associate Pastor/Minister of Music.
Summer of 2010 – Church’s 2nd edition Cookbook was published and included a dedication to Karen Walker Chitwood who was an active member of Pleasant Hill’s Women’s Mission groups. All proceeds will go to the Building Fund.
June 6-11, 2010 – VBS was held. Cher Breedlove and Mary Harvill were the directors. There were 135 children enrolled.
June, 2010 – Kayla Eaton assumed the duties of Summer Youth Leader.
July 4, 2010 – Church Softball Game
July 24, 2010 – Free Clothes and school supplies Give Away to needy families in our community, sponsored by the WOM. We reached 67 families.
Aug. 8, 2010 – Scot Bruce, Neal Gaines and Wayne Randall were elected to the Deacon Committee.
August, 2010 – On Sunday afternoon before the opening of school in Franklin County, a Prayer Motorcade departed from the church, escorted by local law enforcement, to stop and pray at all schools of our county.
Sept. 2010 – Pastor Josh challenged the church to reach a goal of sending 100 Joy Boxes this year; 176 Joy Boxes for Children were collected and shipped to the Ukraine to be distributed as witnessing tools by Tim and Vera Strelchenko!
September 10, 2010 – Under the direction of Rev. Edward Whitworth, the adult choir presented the musical, “Heaven.”
Sept. 14, 2010 – First planning meeting for upcoming Mission Trip to Guaimaca, Honduras in July of 2011.
Information To Be Added to This History Account:
Building Emphasis and Progress
Weddings
Births
Members by Baptisms
Members by Letter
Members Lost by Death
Members Lost by Letter/Transfer
Mission Trip Participation: Name, Date, Where
Mission Offerings: Goals and Received
Other....
History Oct. 2007 to Present
Our Mission Statement: ‘Taking the message and ministry of God’s love to our community and the world.’
The church received an endowment of $130,000 from the Fred King Estate in December, 2007. The principal will earn interest and the dividends are designated by the estate for the youth program.
The 2nd Sunday of each month has been designated as Building Fund Emphasis Sunday.
On April 13, 2008, the church voted to call Lee Hall as Musical Worship Leader.
In May, 2008 the 16 windows in the fellowship hall were replaced at a cost of $9,625.
On May 21, 2008, Karem Marin began her duties as the Ministry Assistant. Karem is the wife of Rev. Wilmer Marin, Hispanic pastor in Lavonia.
On June 8, 2008, the recommendation to call Joshua Harvill as our associate pastor was approved. On the same date Jeff Floyd was elected to fill Tommy Smith’s position as a trustee.
June 13, 2008, was Janna McCollum last day as the Ministry Assistant.
Joshua Harvill began work as the associate pastor on Monday, June 23, 2008. Many church members attended his ordination service in July at Prince Avenue Baptist Church’s college ministry building, The Overlook, next to the University of Georgia’s campus.
In July, 2008, the traditional Sunday School and Discipleship Training Directors were replaced with an Educational Leadership Team. Members of the team are Wayne Chitwood, Mike Bruce, Judy Carter, and Lisa Sewell.
On August 10, 2008, Mike Bruce, Curtis Henson, and Emory Vickery were elected to serve as deacons.
Joshua Harvill, Associate Pastor, and Mary Usher were married on Oct. 4, 2008, in Savannah, GA.
In October, 2008, new and revised G.R.O.W. Teams were launched - (God Reaching Our World) “G” Team – Youth Targeting – Captain Joshua Harvill; “R” Team – Homebound and Caregivers – Captain Carolyn Wilson; “O” Team – Inactive Members – Captain Tommy Carlton. “W” Team – Unchurched Families and Students – Captain Teresa Bruce.
The Friendship Builder’s Ministry began in 2008. The focus of this ministry is to build relationships with other people, to expand our territory for Christ, to reach out to visitors and help them to feel welcome, and to reach out to un-churched people and help them to learn more about a relationship with Christ. There were 50+ people who originally signed up to be involved. They were divided into groups of about eight each. For four months each group rotated monthly to four different homes or locations for dinner and fellowship.
October 26, 2008 – An exciting day at Pleasant Hill. We had the Ground Breaking Ceremony for our new church building.
The Fall Festival was held at the end of October, 2008, Hanging of the Greens in Nov., and the Deacons’ Christmas Fellowship at 211 Main on Dec. 2.
January, 2009 – The SGLT Breakfast for Small Group Leaders
April, 2009 – On the night of Good Friday, 2009, a tornado ripped through Franklin County, affecting many members of our church and community. This provided a time of reaching out, sharing, and supporting each other.
July, 2009 - Judy D. Carter served as church pianist from 1983-2009 after beginning as an assistant organist and pianist in 1971.
August, 2009 – Jeff Floyd and David Thurman were elected as Deacons.
Sept. 20, 2009 – Dr. Ross Layne resigned effective immediately during the regular business conference. Upon the resignation the Deacons offered a severance package voted on by the church membership.
Sept. 27, 2009 – Ordination Service for David Thurman as a newly elected deacon.
Oct. 26, 2009 – Celebrated 137 years of church history and the 1st anniversary of the ground-breaking for the new building – followed with a covered dish meal for World Hunger.
Nov. 1, 2009 – Delano McMinn will serve as our interim pastor with his official duties beginning Nov. 15th.
Nov. 8, 2009 – The following were elected for the pastor search committee: Travis Moon, Wayne Chitwood, Lynn South, Mike Bruce, David Thurman, and alternates were Mike Petty and Howard Eaton. The following week Wayne Chitwood resigned from the committee and Mike Petty filled his position. John Terrell was added as an alternate.
Nov. 8, 2009 – Following the morning service, the SGLT held an appreciation lunch for small group leaders and their families.
Nov. 22, 2009 – Rev. Delano McMinn, interim pastor, met with our Deacons and other leaders to set program goals and “Red Letter” calendar dates. The time of “Looking Ahead” was based on Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision the people perish!” Key focuses were:
o Five homes for Prayer Groups on Fri., Jan. 8, 2010
Jeff Floyd, Katherine Outz, Leon Denman, James Stratton, & Boyd Sewell
o Top of the Year Celebration, Jan. 10-14, 2010
o SS High Attendance Day, Feb. 7, 2010
o Project Upward 2010: Building Fund Goal for Easter Sunday: $100,000
Nov., 2009 - Hanging of the Greens continues to be a tradition at Pleasant Hill. On the Sunday afternoon that follows Thanksgiving day, there is a gathering of church folks of all ages who enjoy the fun and fellowship of decorating the church. Beginning in 2006, each year has traditions, both old and new. In 2009, a large artificial tree was donated by Mike and Teresa Bruce and was decorated by members during the Hanging of the Greens night service, as they placed ornaments, representing their family, on the tree.
Dec. 31, 2009 – Lee Hall resigned as Music Director.
Jan. 10th – 14th – Top Of The Year Celebration, with Interim Pastor Delano McMinn and former pastors Doug Goss, Doug Ferguson, Bill Walker, and Assoc. Pastor Josh Harvill, was held in the spirit, the great awakening, and the joy of revival, as a time to celebrate the Lord and Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
o Prayer Focus
Cottage Prayer Meetings began as part of the revival emphasis and have continued on a regular basis, meeting in the homes of Boyd & Lisa Sewell, Leon & Eleanor Denman, and Katherine Outz.
Feb. 7, 2010 – Pastor Search Committee recommended Josh Harvill.
Feb. 8, 2010 – The SGLT, Small Group Leadership Team, changed to SSLT, Sunday School Leadership Team.
Feb. 21, 2010 – The church elected Joshua Harvill as our pastor.
Feb. 28, 2010 – Service of Installation and Commitment for Rev. Joshua Harvill. Interim Pastor Delano McMinn conducted the service.
Guest speakers during the night service, from Ukraine, were Vera and Tim Strelchenko.
March 2010 – Updated Mission Statement for our church: Bibically Uniting Together All People for God’s Glory
March 13, 2010 – Prayer Walk on Saturday with a great turnout!
March 14, 2010 – Churchwide Dinner honoring our new pastor, Rev. Joshua Harvill, and his wife Mary.
March 21, 2010 - The following were elected for the Associate Pastor Search Committee: Wayne Randall, Beverly Harrison, Mike Bruce, Howard Eaton, Mike Petty, Jennifer Gaines, and Judy Carter.
March 28, 2010 – A “Ministry Fair” was held in the new sanctuary with displays of many of the vital ministry opportunities available at Pleasant Hill.
April 4, 2010 – Easter Sunday began with a Sunrise Service at the new sanctuary entrance followed by breakfast, the Easter Musical during the Sunday School hour, and the “Resurrection Celebration” during the 10:30 a.m. service.
The Building Fund goal for Easter Sunday was $100,000; $69,000 was given at the morning service, with another $5000 after, for a total for the month reaching $75,228.25.
April 17, 2010 – Lavonia Spring Festival & Prayer Walk: Several members participated in a second prayer walk while others manned a booth at the spring festival, distributing balloons and making salvation bracelets with the children and offering information about the church. Prayer and outreach opportunities continue to grow as main focuses of Pleasant Hill.
April 30, 2010 – The Good News Club, after school Bible club at Lavonia Elementary, completed its 7th year with record enrollment and salvations. Sixteen children accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior during this 7th year. “To God Be the Glory!” Pleasant Hill continues to be faithful in support of this outreach ministry through prayer, finances, adult and staff support, and time.
May 16, 2010 – High Attendance Day in Sunday School and Spring Fling
“Spring Fling” was held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. as a church-wide, community-wide celebration and outreach, filled with spring-themed games, food, and fellowship.
May 23, 2010 – Summer Slam! 2010 was launched as an emphasis for faithful Sunday School attendance during the summer. Members and classes focused on attendance, outreach through visits, cards, and calls, and class socials.
June 6, 2010 – Interim Associate Pastor Rev. Edward Whitworth was elected as our Associate Pastor/Minister of Music.
Summer of 2010 – Church’s 2nd edition Cookbook was published and included a dedication to Karen Walker Chitwood who was an active member of Pleasant Hill’s Women’s Mission groups. All proceeds will go to the Building Fund.
June 6-11, 2010 – VBS was held. Cher Breedlove and Mary Harvill were the directors. There were 135 children enrolled.
June, 2010 – Kayla Eaton assumed the duties of Summer Youth Leader.
July 4, 2010 – Church Softball Game
July 24, 2010 – Free Clothes and school supplies Give Away to needy families in our community, sponsored by the WOM. We reached 67 families.
Aug. 8, 2010 – Scot Bruce, Neal Gaines and Wayne Randall were elected to the Deacon Committee.
August, 2010 – On Sunday afternoon before the opening of school in Franklin County, a Prayer Motorcade departed from the church, escorted by local law enforcement, to stop and pray at all schools of our county.
Sept. 2010 – Pastor Josh challenged the church to reach a goal of sending 100 Joy Boxes this year; 176 Joy Boxes for Children were collected and shipped to the Ukraine to be distributed as witnessing tools by Tim and Vera Strelchenko!
September 10, 2010 – Under the direction of Rev. Edward Whitworth, the adult choir presented the musical, “Heaven.”
Sept. 14, 2010 – First planning meeting for upcoming Mission Trip to Guaimaca, Honduras in July of 2011.
Information To Be Added to This History Account:
Building Emphasis and Progress
Weddings
Births
Members by Baptisms
Members by Letter
Members Lost by Death
Members Lost by Letter/Transfer
Mission Trip Participation: Name, Date, Where
Mission Offerings: Goals and Received
Other....