Success in Albia & Future Plans for Melcher-Dallas

Recently, we’ve seen two similar strategies at work in Iowa. They are at different stages in development and, like every new work, are unique in many ways. But we pray this might prove to be a strategic and reproducible method to plant new churches around the state.

Circumstances led BCI two churches to realize the best thing for the gospel is to make their church building available for a new church plant. That can’t be an easy decision for any congregation to make but, ultimately, they had the faith and the courage to do it.

A Gift and a Blessing in Albia

First Family Church in Albia has just celebrated their 1st Anniversary. With the success of FFC Albia we are seeing the “restarting” concept play out in an encouraging way. FFC Albia has seen a lot of gospel fruit in their first year in terms of professions of faith, baptisms, restored relationships, attendance, giving, and reaching unchurched community members.

FFC Albia was a new church planted in an existing building. The previous church in Albia, First Baptist Church, made a critical decision to do the best thing to reach their community for Christ in the future. That decision was to close the church down and make the facility available for a new work. First Family Church in Ankeny worked with church planter Jason Laxton to plant in Albia when they learned the facility was going to be available. FBC Albia gifted the church facility to FFC Albia who came with a core group of founding members.

Pastor Jason Laxton said, “At first we were excited about the facility, but it quickly started to seem like a distraction. When we learned the work needed to get the building back in shape, we thought maybe it wasn’t going to be worth it. Most church plants just need to find a place and sign a lease. Now, looking back, we can clearly see God’s hand in it and the building is a huge blessing for us. There is still a lot of work left to do on the building but we have a meeting place with minimal expenses.”

The facility had significant repair needs that the FFC Albia team had to address immediately. “The work seemed like an impossible task at first. But every project was an opportunity to see God show up and work. Every time we thought it couldn’t happen, God provided the means and He did it very quickly. As a church we feel we can be aggressive in moving forward in ministry because we know He will be faithful again.” It’s encouraging to see the success they are experiencing in Albia as we see a similar opportunity in Melcher-Dallas.

A Difficult Decision in Melcher Dallas

City on a Hill Church in Melcher-Dallas has gifted their building to Cornerstone Community Church in Chariton, who has agreed to maintain a Baptist Church at that location. Pastor Rob Porter officially handed off the property to Cornerstone Chariton in a special service last Sunday, September 27th. 

Lacona Baptist incorporated as a Southern Baptist Church in 2000 and held services in an old store building they owned, located on Main Street in Lacona. Pastor Porter came as part-time pastor in 2008. In 2014 they began to call themselves, “City On A Hill” and sold the store building in Lacona to purchase the abandoned Truth Assembly Of God building in Melcher-Dallas. The “new” building was in rough condition so it was stripped out, redesigned, and given a new 704 square foot addition. Essentially, a new building was built within the old shell. The church met in the Lions Hall until remodeling reached the point that the structure could be used.  The church family did their own work other than much appreciated help from various mission teams. At completion, the building was debt free!

Consecutive with literally building the physical church building, and carrying on the work of the ministry, much effort went into raising, preparing, and appointing elders and updating the church constitution to reflect Baptist doctrine as outlined in the BF&M2000. After the building was completed many visitors came, but few stayed and the congregation slipped back to essentially 20 regular attenders.

Though the church has never been able to support a full-time pastor, God has faithfully provided. The building is debt free and the church has always been able to meet its weekly obligations  but it was clear that if they lost even one of their significant givers the ability to maintain the ministry could change swiftly. In addition, major health issues have troubled those same key members this last year, including Pastor Porter who suffers from a chronic progressive disease of the spine.

An Intentional Decision for the Gospel

While it was not easy, City on a Hill made an intentional decision with the gospel at its center. “We felt that Cornerstone Chariton could continue the ministry here and they have the capacity to do it. They have a heart for missions and a vision for reaching Iowa towns.” 

Pastor Paul Miller of Cornerstone Chariton said, “Our heart is to see a church thriving in Melcher-Dallas for the purpose of making disciples and reaching that community for Christ.” Pastor Paul met Pastor Rob several years ago through the BCI Ministry Life Retreat at Hotel Renovo in Urbandale. “Through our friendship and praying together over the last few years, we realized we were like minded doctrinally and several families involved at Cornerstone Chariton already live near the Melcher-Dallas area.”

Leaders from the two churches negotiated the arrangement over a series of meetings. City on a Hill asked Cornerstone to agree to continue gospel ministry in Melcher-Dallas for as long as possible. Pastor Paul said: “Our ultimate goal is to plant autonomous churches through whatever scenario would be best for the local situation. We are just honored and privileged that they would entrust such a gift to us. The building belongs to the Lord so we want to be good stewards. Praise the Lord for Pastor Rob and the remaining families at City on a Hill. They’ve invested their lives in the church and had a heart to see Kingdom work continue. I’m thankful for their Kingdom mindset.”