BY PAT FARNELLI
Bridgewater Baptist Church, located on Church Street in Montrose, cannot contain itself.
Its attendance, usually more than 400 at two of its three services on Sunday mornings, has been overflowing its halls for some time now.
A new building is underway on Route 706 in Bridgewater Township; and a pioneer team is in the process of opening a new satellite church in Hallstead.
The first preview service was conducted on July 17 at the American Legion building in Hallstead, at the same time as the crowded 9:30 service at the Bridgewater service in Montrose.
Some 135 people attended the preview service; another preview service will be held on Aug. 7 at the Legion.
The idea to open a campus in Hallstead was conceived in the fall of 2010. Brett Bixby, Outreach/Discipleship Pastor at Bridgewater, said that several Bridgewater members lived in the Hallstead/Great Bend area, and wanted to bring friends and neighbors.
“It was a long way to come, but the interest was there,” Bixby said.
A pioneer team of about 50 members and regular attenders was formed, and Kyle Landis is the official team leader and campus pastor.
Another reason for the new building is that the Bridgewater’s Montrose building is “really out of space,” Bixby said. “This was a way to do a fourth service someplace else, rather than on site here.”
A meeting to discuss holding a traditional service on Sundays at the Montrose Square was held on July 17.
The basement of the American Legion has been set up just like the basement of the church in Montrose, which holds the children’s program area, known as “USS Bridgewater.”
“Our kids’ ministry brings in so many people, because we’re all excited about seeing our kids learn about God,” Bixby said.
Bridgewater’s other pastors are Bob Kadlecik, Lead Pastor, and Andrew Peterson, Youth Pastor.
The Hallstead site is in the middle of Vacation Bible School which runs through Aug. 5, from9 a.m. to noon at the American Legion in Hallstead.
The next preview service will be held on Sunday, Aug. 7 at 9:30 a.m.in Hallstead, and small groups will begin in Hallstead and Great Bend homes throughout the week, starting in August.
The official launch for the church will be Sept.18 at9:30 a.m., with kid programs going on at the same time.
Further information is available by calling Bridgewater Baptist Church at 278-2354.
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