The pews are filled, the lights are dimmed and the clock counts down. Anticipation is in the air as those who have come to worship await the beginning of the 902 Church service.
This service takes place at 10 a.m. every Sunday at Northwest Christian Church, 2009 Carey Road. Signs that can be seen all over town have led many to ask, “What is 902 Church and where did it come from?”
902 Church began as a contemporary praise service that was held at Southwood Memorial Christian Church. It began because of a vision several members of the church and the pastor, Rick Vernon, had to provide for people a more relaxed, come-as-you-are service, which included a praise band and a young inspirational pastor.
The name comes from the Bible, from Psalm 9:02, “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”
The first service on Sept. 4, 2011, the weekend after Hurricane Irene, was upbeat and those 80 people who attended were excited and enjoyed the relaxed way of worshipping. In just a year’s time, the service more than doubled in attendance. People who had never been to church before were coming and praising the Lord’s name. People were accepting Christ as their Savior and lives were being changed.
In time, the service outgrew its stay at Southwood and felt the need to move to encourage continued growth. The Lord answered prayers with a call from the pastor of Northwest Christian Church, Amos Sykes, who just happened to be a former member of Southwood. He and his congregation offered their fellowship hall as their worship service space.
Members of the 902 service – led by their praise band, Souls Devotion, and their pastor, Ryan Vernon – began their ministry at Northwest on April 7, with 281 in attendance. After five weeks, the service was growing and the fellowship hall was bursting at the seams. The Northwest Board of Trustees met and the congregation voted to allow the 902 service to meet at 10 a.m. in the church sanctuary, which holds more than 500.
At that time, 902 Church had a vision to fill it one day, and that day has come, just four months from the first service. Of the 520 people in a recent service, 60 were children ranging in ages from birth to fifth grade that are a part of the 902 Kids program. A growing youth ministry meets on Tuesday nights. Various Life Groups meet throughout the week at the church and in various members’ homes. These groups come together with like interests to study the word, relate it to life and help each other with their problems.
902 Church has had several fundraisers to earn money for mission work. The congregation believes in supporting the big “C” church, the church of Jesus around the world. Doors are open to anyone looking for the love of Christ. The church’s mission is to bring people into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
Ryan Vernon is pastor of 902 Church, meeting at Northwest Christian Church in Kinston. Reach him at 252-643-4201.