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Detailed History

INTRODUCTION:

“Write the things thou has seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” Rev. 1:19. 

Why write our church history?  We haven’t been around for hundreds of years, we have no ancient graveyard to explore, no dated archives to claim fame to and no pews that a revolutionary war hero once sat on. Our church was established in 1984, not 1884 or 1784.  We have our place in the community but do we have a place in history?

The answer is yes.  The task of writing a church history is to make a record of what God has done and is doing among His people.  After all history is “His Story” and Lake Norman Baptist church wants to tell His story.  Church history is that simple.  God is actively and intimately involved in the lives of His people.  He cares for His Church and God stresses the importance of remembering.  The Bible abounds with passages of remembrance. God used prophets, The Apostles and many others to record history.

The Psalmist has said, “Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them.”  I hope you delight in reading what God is doing at Lake Norman Baptist Church!

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EST. 1983

 It all began with a phone call from the Mecklenburg Baptist Association to the home of Nolan and Martha Mackey.  The Association had purchased some property for a church site in the Lake Norman area.  On January 28, 1980, upon recommendation from the Mecklenburg Baptist Association, representatives of seven area churches met at the home of the Mackeys to discuss the need for a new church in the Lake Norman community.  Carl and Susan Pittard, Southeastern Seminary students, came to the Lake Norman area working through the Home Mission Board and the Mecklenburg Baptist Association and aided by a young people’s choir and their director from Florida.  They conducted Backyard Bible Clubs and the Pittard’s also conducted a door-to-door religious survey as well as a survey by phone.

The first meeting of persons interested in establishing a mission was held at the Mariner Villa Clubhouse on July 27, 1980.  There were thirty-five people present.  On August 8, 1980, a letter was sent to Dr. Carl Bates, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Charlotte, asking that they sponsor the new congregation at Lake Norman.

After meeting at Mariner Villa Clubhouse and Community in Christ Lutheran Church during the months of august and September, a committee was formed to find a more permanent location for church services.  Hoskins Avenue Baptist Church, Charlotte, offered the use of their summer recreational building on Belle Isle Drive on Lake Norman.  After cleaning and some renovations, the first Sunday services were held on October 5, 1980, under the direction of Dr. George Bullard as interim pastor who was then Director of New Work for the Mecklenburg Baptist Association.  Twenty-three persons attended Sunday School and twenty-seven persons attended both the morning and evening services.  Tithes and offerings totaled $416.85 on that first Sunday.  At the close of the morning service, there were twenty-two additions by letter and one for baptism.

On October 26, 1980, the name Lake Norman Island Baptist Church was chosen by the congregation. (“Island” was dropped on June 7, 1981.)  On November 3, 1980, the Mecklenburg Baptist Association completed its purchase of seven and one-half acres of land at the intersection of Hwy. 73 and Sam Furr Road to be used for the permanent location of the new mission.  The church would eventually be given title to two-thirds of this property and repay the Association for the other third of the purchase.  The church was given full title of the property.

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 On December 20, 1980, a building fund was established.  ON January 25, 1981, the church voted to construct a room 12 by 14 on the back portion of the porch to be used as a nursery and office space.  Wednesday evening prayer services were held in the homes of the members. 

On April 26, 1981, Dr. Lawrence Childs, Executive Director of the Mecklenburg Baptist Association, was asked to serve as interim pastor as Dr. Bullard had taken a job with the Home Mission Board and was moving to Atlanta, Georgia.  

On May 10, 1981 Rev. Gerald Bell was called as the first full-time pastor of the mission.  He served until March 15, 1983.  Dr. Frank then served as interim pastor.

On January 3, 1982, the church elected its first Building Committee.

On April 19, 1983, the architectural firm of Hawkins & Kibler was employed to design the first permanent facility. 

The first phase consisted of an interim sanctuary, classrooms, kitchen and offices.  The first building campaign was “Together We Build”, with a commitment of 55 church members (22 families).  By September 30, 1983, the church had $100,000 in its Building Fund.

In October 1983, Dr. Charles Howell was called to serve as pastor.  He served until June 1984.  During this time the mission was officially constituted as a church on December 11, 1983 at 3:00 p.m.  The service was held at First Baptist Church, Charlotte, the church that had been the mission’s primary sponsor.  Dr. Charles Page delivered the charge to the church, followed by the message, “Building A Church”, by Dr. Howell.  At that time, there were 7e members (34 families).  (As of June 1999, 23 of these charter members were still members of LNBC).

 From June 1984 through December 1984, the church was once again without a full-time pastor.  Rev. Thurman Stone served the congregation as interim pastor.  During this interim time, the church continued to move forward with the building program.  On July 15, 1984 a Groundbreaking Ceremony was held and construction began. 

On January 1, 1985, Dr. Jay Casey became the third full-time pastor of the church.  Church membership reached one hundred in April 1985.

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The first services were held in the new building on May 26, 1985 and a Dedication Service one week later on June 2, 1985.

A part-time secretary, Martha Doss, was hired in March 1985.  Our youth membership continued to grown, creating a need for a Youth Director.  Tina Burelson was hired in June 1985 and served as director until April 1987.

In 1986, the church’s continued growth prompted the purchase of  one modular building for use as temporary Sunday School classrooms until additional space could be constructed. 

In March 1987, a second building program began called “Challenge To Build”.  On March 15, 1987, a banquet was held at Davidson’s College Commons.  On April 5, 1987, the members pledged to give in excess of $237,000 over a three-year period in order to end all indebtedness and begin plans for the second permanent addition to the facility.

In January 1988, another building committee began consultations with the architect about a permanent addition to the church’s facility.

On January 31, 1988, Rev. Greg Smith was called as full-time Minister of Music and Youth.  (Bob Gibson had been serving as Music Director since the beginning).  The provide space in the interim, a second morning worship service was added in September 1988.  A second modular building was purchased for still more educational space.

In May 1989, the original debt of $235,000 for 12 years was retired, eight years ahead of schedule at a savings of over $287,000.  This was a day of celebration and commitment as Dr. Casey and Dana Rucker, Chairman of the “Challenge To Build” program, burned the note.  At the end of the church’s first decade, the vision of a vital ministry in this area was well established with 229 members.  

Dr. Jay Casey resigned in August 1991.  Rev. Cecil Herrin served the congregation as interim pastor from October 1991 until March 1992.

Dr. Charles Howell was once again issued the call to return to the congregation and became the full-time pastor a second time.  He served as pastor from March 16, 1992 until May 1996.

In August 1992, Rev. Greg Smith, Minister of Music, resigned.  Bob Gibson was hired as Music Director on July 6, 1993.  He served until April 1997.

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As membership and attendance continued to grow, a third building campaign began in May 1993, called “Realizing the Dream”.  The pledges and monies from this three-year campaign (ended June 1996) began the construction of what is now our present chapel and preschool facilities.

By this time a full-time secretary was needed.  On November 8, 1993, Annette Burke was hired.

On January 1, 1995, Larry Austin was hired as part-time Minister of Education for a two-year period.  His salary was donated anonymously.  “Realizing the Dream” had become a reality.  On March 26, 1995 we had our first worship service in our present chapel.  The Proclamation of the Whole Word of God” began on Wednesday afternoon, March 22, 1995, with members reading for fifteen-minute intervals around the clock, ending on Sunday morning.  March 26, at the 11:00 a.m.  Worship Service with Dr. Howell reading the final chapter in the Bible.  Our dedication Service was held on April 9, 1995. 

By September 1995, we had 328 members. The next planning phase of our debt retirement had begun.  A fourth building program called “Catch the Spirit” began in April 1996.  It was a three-year campaign to help retire the $1.1 million debt.

In May 1996, Dr. Howell resigned.  Once again, the search was on to find a full time pastor for Lake Norman Baptist Church.  Rev. Howard Knight served the congregation as interim pastor from June 1996 to March 1997. 

Dr. Robert Blanton was issued the call to serve as our pastor on March 9, 1997.  Dr. Blanton began on April 7, 1997.  he is presently serving our congregation.  Under Dr. Blanton’s leadership, our church attendance and membership have shown a tremendous growth spurt.

 On October 5, 1997, Bonnie Johnson was called as part-time Minister of Music.  (Bob Gibson had resigned in April 1997 and Gera Howe, organist, had been serving as Music Director from April 1997 to September 1997).  In February 1999, Bonnie was hired as our full-time Minister of Music. 

A year later we added another permanent full-time staff member, Rev. Landon Horton began October 5, 1998 as Associate Pastor/Minister of Education.

As the church has grown, so too has our youth.  In light of this, Lake Norman called Tim moody in January of 2001 to serve as Minister of Youth and Family Ministries.

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As a result of the challenges and opportunities associated with accelerated growth in the Lake Norman area, and more importantly, the explosion of growth within the church, LNBC was faced with overcrowded classrooms and full-capacity worship services.  After prayerfully accessing the critical areas of need and projecting for future growth, Lake Norman launched a faith campaign in April of 1999 entitled “Stretching Higher than Our Reach”.  A banquet was held and pledges for the campaign equaled 1.12 million dollars over a three-year period.  The success of the faith campaign enabled the building of the Family Life Center that serves as a hub for the majority of LNBC’s ministries.  The building offers much-needed space for fellowship, education, and storage as well as providing a facility for Sunday morning worship services.  It houses many ministries, including Sunday School classes, Upward basketball, Body and Soul Fitness classes, AWANA, a media library, Women on Mission, fellowship meals and many others.  Since its inception, the Family Life Center has been a true blessing for our church and surrounding community.

While members celebrated the victory of the Family Life Center, Lake Norman looked ahead at the future needs of its growing congregation and felt compelled to seek God’s direction in identifying and addressing these needs.  As a result, a second faith campaign entitled “Beyond the Checkered Flag”, was started in April of 2002.  A banquet was held in the Family Life Center and again the members were faithful in pledging $905,000 for the next three years.  This money will be used to retire the current debt owed by the church and to fund future building projects deemed crucial to the church’s vision.

Because of our growth, Lake Norman Baptist Church also added two more full-time staff members.  Roger Fortner in February of 2004 as Director of Administrative Ministries and Trish Eller joined us in the April  of 2004 as our church Office Manager.   

In the Spring of 2004 the Building Committee proposed to the Church that we build a three-story administrative office building, beside the present Family Life Center.  This office building will offer much needed office space.  The master plans call for the present office building (which was the first building we built which housed both Sunday School Classes and the Sanctuary) to be torn down and eventually a larger Sanctuary built on that location.  To prepare for this, the office building will be constructed.

On August 22, 2004, we had groundbreaking for our new three-story administrative building.  Present at the ceremony were B.D. Rogers, Chairman of the Board of Rogers Builders, Bob Glusenkamp, Project Executive with Rogers Builders, Ben Griffith, Chair of the Lake Norman Baptist Church Building Committee, Chris Holcombe, Vice Chairman of the LNBC Building Committee and staff members Landon Horton and Bobby Blanton.  The ceremony was held after the 11:00 service.  The congregation was asked to come outside to the building site.  An area was prepared with six shovels.  Prayers and remarks were made by Bobby Blanton.  The congregation sang “Bless Be the Tie” led by Bonnie Johnson, LNBC Music Director.  Afterwards pictures were made.  The congregation is excited about our new addition and future growth. 

 In September of 2004, Lake Norman Baptist Church added another Sunday School time.  We now have two Sunday schools, one at 8:30, the other at 9:45 a.m..  We also have two services, a contemporary worship at 9:45 and a traditional worship at 11:00.  In January of 2005 we added an 8:30 service with Pastor Landon Horton presiding.

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Lake Norman Baptist Church continues to grown spiritually and physically.  We actively seek to bring others to Christ and to teach them to grow “in Christ”.  We continue to serve the Lord and look to our future, we count our many blessings while we continue to further God’s kingdom.  May we be ever mindful that “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” (Philippians 4:13).  “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) “…but with God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

Our Vision:
To be a church where people are motivated and equipped to be on Mission for Christ