CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Despite tough economic times, one Putnam County church is growing and remains debt free.
"We will expand our sanctuary in the spring, and we need a bigger parking lot," said Jim Boggess, pastor of Faith Christian Fellowship in Buffalo.
Within the next three years, plans call for a new building project that will cost more than $2.5 million.
The independent, nondenominational church began in Boggess' Buffalo home in 1995 with four couples doing a Bible study. The first Sunday service was held in his living room in January 1996 with 40 people. That fall, the group bought 22 acres on W.Va. 62 between Buffalo and Eleanor, where the first building was constructed by October 1996.
"Three years ago, we expanded again," Boggess said. "Our first building was 6,000 square feet and the expansion was 7,200 square feet. We now have about 220 people on Sunday mornings and 170 on Wednesday nights."
Why does the church continue to grow?
"We just keep preaching the gospel and giving people hope," he said. "God is interested in life now, not just when we get to heaven. We teach things that are relevant to people's lives."
As the church has expanded, costs have been covered through tithes and offerings.
Following the devastating Haiti earthquake, parishioners donated $11,000 in one offering to help those who suffered in the wake of the disaster. The funds were distributed through International Mission Outreach.
But the money given for Haiti relief efforts did not lessen the amount collected for the church that day.
"Tithes and offerings take care of everything," Boggess said.
Parishioners are supportive of their church because they are excited about the Bible-based ministry, he said.
And they are eager to tell others about the Lord and invite them to worship, he said.
Boggess said the church family includes lots of young couples with small children and a teen group of about 40.
When the new structure is built, the current building will be used for classrooms for children and teens. The new facility will include a sanctuary, bookstore, nursery and office space, he said.
Boggess hopes it will be completed within the next three years to accommodate the growing congregation.
Before entering the ministry full time 10 years ago, Boggess, 53, was a chemical operator for Flexys. He earned a bachelor's degree in theology from Life Christian University, based in Tampa, Fla. At the time, the school also had a Huntington campus where he attended classes.
His brother, Paul Boggess, also earned a theology degree from the university. Paul Boggess, a registered nurse at St. Francis Hospital, now serves as the church youth pastor.
Pastor Jim Boggess and his wife, Kathy, have two grown children and four grandchildren.
The church has Sunday worship at 10 a.m. Its service on Wednesday is at 7 p.m. Services include contemporary gospel music. Its praise and worship leader is Tammy Browning, a music teacher at Winfield Middle School.
The church also has a dance team and presents plays on special occasions throughout the year.
The church also offers a camp held the first week in August with visiting speakers from several states.
Its Destiny Training Bible Center includes classes geared to those who wish to learn more about the Bible. The next session begins the last week in August.
The church is located at 4589 Buffalo Road. The telephone number is 304-937-2600.
