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In the decade following the 50-year anniversary, the Golden Heights
Church of Christ has seen a continuation of the church growth begun
in previous years. During 2001, a total of 205 individuals were
baptized and added to the Lord’s church – the highest number of
baptisms in our congregation during any single year of the
congregation’s existence.
One of the highlights during the following ten years (1994-2004) was
the ordination of church Elders, which made the congregation fully
organized as God intended. Three were ordained as Elders: Dr. W. F.
Washington, Sr., William Ethridge, and Oswald Ewers. In addition to
the Elders, another eight men were ordained as deacons.
During the decade following the 50th Anniversary, there also was the
continuation of the special work through the church’s various
ministries and committees. Added to the long list of ministries and
committees have been the Men’s Ministry and the Women’s Ministry.
The goal of these new ministries is to provide spiritual activities
and events that address the special needs and interests of the men
and women of the congregation. The primary goal of every ministry
and committee, however, is to glorify Jesus Christ.
The work of several ministries and committees, however, increased
the church’s visibility and impact upon lives within the Broward
County, FL community. The Prison and Feeding the Hungry Ministry,
for example, feeds hundreds of individuals in Broward County each
year. In the spirit of Christ, Thanksgiving baskets are prepared,
including a turkey and all the trimmings, for needy families in our
community. In addition, entire families are fed through the
Adopt-a-Family program.
The church is also more visible within the county’s jail facilities.
The Prison and Feeding the Hungry Ministry conducts Bible classes
within both the women’s facility and the men’s facility of the North
Broward Conte Jails. Members of this ministry also have worked and
provided two dinner meals for the approximately 200 residents at the
Broward Partnership for the Homeless. Some members of the ministry
volunteer weekly at the center and Bible classes are held there once
a month.
Through the charitable giving of members, the church began giving
annual contributions to the United Negro College Fund in the 1990s.
The church has received special recognition and commendations for
being the largest contributor among Black churches in South Florida.
Another group, the Nursing Home Committee of the Dorcas Ministry
regularly visits residents of nursing homes in Broward County. In
addition to these visits, worship services are conducted
periodically in these facilities.
One of the major works that has had a tremendous impact within the
Lord’s kingdom is the “Campaign for Christ” started in the year
2000. The Campaign for Christ is a result of Dr. Washington’s belief
that the drastic decline in congregations among Churches of Christ
is due to a serious lack of spreading the gospel in places where no
congregations exist. He felt that we were not living up to His
sacred calling by not taking the gospel out of the church buildings
and into cities where the gospel had not been preached.
After much prayer with the Elders and the congregation; the decision
was made to go across the nation where no congregation of the
Churches of Christ existed and declare boldly the unadulterated
gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the latter part of the year 2000, Belle Glade, Florida was
targeted for the first campaign. In August of 2001 Campaign for
Christ invaded the city of Belle Glade, Florida. The Convention
Center of Belle Glade was secured where Dr. Washington preached for
three weeks.
Prior to the Campaign, over 300 members from Golden Heights
descended on Belle Glade to completely saturate it with leaflets,
posters and door knocking. Several preachers from around the country
were called in to do the daily street preaching and bible studies.
Fifteen precious souls were baptized by the end of the meeting, and
eventually more than 50 souls were won for Christ. Golden Heights,
with the able assistance of the Elders and members from Ft. Myers,
Florida, purchased a medical building on Main Street in downtown
Belle Glade at a cost of $140,000. Today, the Downtown Church of
Christ meets as an intact congregation on Main Street in the town of
Belle Glade.
As a result of the Campaign, a second radio program was started in
the Belle Glade, South Bay and Pahokee areas. Today, this program is
still broadcast on WSWN.
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