A Pentecostal Holiness Home on East US Highway 64
First Pentecostal Holiness Church sits along East US Highway 64 on the eastern edge of Lexington, North Carolina, in Davidson County. The congregation is a member of the Cornerstone Conference of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, and the church's whole identity is captured by a simple three-word motto: #PRT - Preach, Reach, Teach. Under Pastor Mark Hopkins and his wife Amy, the church has shaped its life around expository preaching, intergenerational ministry, and a weekly rhythm that reaches from the nursery to senior adults. The motto doubles as a working vision: to exalt Christ in every area of the local church, to be His hands extended to a lost and dying world, and to allow Him to use the congregation wherever He sees the need. The Welcome Home tone that runs through the church's materials is consistent across every age and every ministry.
Sunday: Sunday School, Morning Worship, and Evening Service
Sunday begins with Sunday School at 9:45 a.m., offering classes for every age group from preschool through adult. The Sunday School coordinator, Evelyn Grooms, oversees a team of teachers who combine Bible teaching with prayer time and close Christian fellowship. The teachers are described as knowledgeable and excited about teaching God's Word, and the combination makes Sunday School both fun and informative.
Morning Worship follows at 10:45 a.m. The service is open to everyone and centers on the preaching of God's Word. Pastor Mark is described as fervently preaching under the direction and anointing of the Holy Ghost, and the church's standing invitation is direct: "You won't leave as you came!" A Sunday Evening Worship service gathers at 6:00 p.m. for an evening of worship through song, prayer, and a second message from God's Word. All three Sunday services are open to anyone, and every service is also livestreamed so members and friends who cannot attend in person can join from home.
Wednesday Family Night and Intercessory Prayer
The middle of the week has its own pulse. Intercessory Prayer meets in the church sanctuary at 6:00 p.m., a focused hour anchored in Matthew 18:19-20 and 2 Chronicles 7:14 with the church's call to revival. At 7:00 p.m. the Midweek Service, called Family Night, fills the sanctuary for spiritual nourishment from God's Word, framed by the church as a chance to "gain strength and knowledge and leave spiritually refreshed." The doors of the youth building open at 6:00 p.m. for students, and at 7:00 p.m. children and youth move into the sanctuary alongside the adults. The children's Girl's Ministry, for girls ages four through thirteen, also meets at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights, where the girls dig deep into God's Word, work weekly to earn badges, and form lasting friendships.
Children's Ministries, Nursery, and Vacation Bible School
Children's ministry, led by Heather Clodfelter, runs alongside the adult services on Sunday morning and during the Wednesday Family Night. Preschool classes serve children ages three through Kindergarten, and school-age classes cover first through fifth grades. The annual children's calendar includes an Easter Egg Hunt, Vacation Bible School, a Fall Festival, the Children's Christmas Program, craft days that produce Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts, and several outings during the year. The teachers love the children and the children love their classes and teachers.
The nursery, directed by Tina Misugi, welcomes children up to two years old during Sunday School, Morning Worship, Sunday Evening Service, and Wednesday Night Service. Nursery workers are staffed during Morning Worship from 10:30 a.m. through the end of the service. Vacation Bible School is a major annual outreach, filling the building with children each summer, and the church also sends children to Camp DaySpring, the IPHC-affiliated summer camp, with a Primary Camp for younger students and a Junior Camp for older students each summer.
Youth in the Youth Building
Youth ministry is led by Andrew Lanier, Tina Misugi, Leighann McBride, and Justin Stowe. Students meet for Sunday School at 9:45 a.m., join the Sunday Evening Service at 6:00 p.m., and gather in the church's youth building each Wednesday evening. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and at 7:00 p.m. the youth move into the sanctuary to worship with the rest of the church before diving into the Word. The leaders describe their goal plainly: helping young people grow in a deeper relationship with the Lord and realize who they are through Jesus Christ, so that they may be a light to the world at home, at school, on teams, and on the job. The phrase "our youth are the leaders of tomorrow" carries weight here. Group outings, game nights, movie nights, and community outreach fill out the year.
Women's Bible Study and Women's Ministry
The Women's Bible Study, called Study to Show Thyself Approved and led by Brenda Flowers, meets on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. in Church Room #1 at the church. The women describe the group as a place to learn and grow in God's Word, with fellowship that has produced many true friendships over the years. The broader Women's Ministry, which includes teen girls, gathers once a month for a devotion, prayer, and planning of upcoming events and projects. Their stated goal is to come together in love and unity with the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in all things they do. There is always room for one more.
Men's Ministry and Church Work Days
The Men's Ministry, led by Chuck Adams, meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Building. The men are active inside the church and out, with monthly meetings, church work days, and a steady stream of off-campus projects. They are strong supporters of the church's Mission Building Team. The invitation is simple: if there is a need, they want to do their best to take care of it, and boys as well as men are welcome.
Young at Heart for Senior Adults
Under Teresa Pitman, the Young at Heart ministry keeps the church's senior adults engaged in both church life and social activities. Teresa is credited with engaging the seniors in activities to keep them active and involved in church events as well as social outings. The group is described as a wonderful blessing to the congregation and a treasured part of the church family.
Music, Visitation, and Outreach
Justin Stowe serves as Worship Leader, leading congregational singing across the Sunday Morning Worship, Sunday Evening Worship, and Wednesday Family Night services. Max Kmentt heads the Visitation and Outreach Ministry, carrying the church beyond its walls to homes, hospitals, and neighbors. Visitation is one of the quiet ministries of the church, the regular presence of members in the lives of those who cannot easily make it to the building.
The Apostles' Creed and the Covenant of Commitment
The church's statement of faith opens with the Apostles' Creed: belief in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; in Jesus Christ His only Son, conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified, dead, and buried, who descended into hell (the place of the departed righteous), rose again the third day, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father, from whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. They affirm belief in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic (universal) church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
The Covenant of Commitment adds a Pentecostal Holiness accent. The church holds to the verbal and plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, with the Bible as God's infallible Word, the believer's guide, and the final authority for both faith and conduct. The stated priority of Christians is to "make it our aim to be well pleasing to God" (2 Corinthians 5:9), with private life kept consistent with public testimony. The church affirms that every facet of life must come under divine authority, maintaining the priority of pleasing God without interruption. People who teach in the church's institutions and credentialed clergy subscribe to this same position.
Pastor Mark and Amy Hopkins
Pastor Mark and Amy Hopkins lead the church along with their daughter. The congregation describes Pastor Mark as a fervent preacher of God's Word under the direction and anointing of the Holy Ghost, and credits his ministry with changed lives. Amy is described as a tremendous asset to the church, active in everything that goes on, and the couple is a visible presence across Sunday School, worship services, and the many ministries that meet throughout the week. The congregation's greeting to them sums up the relationship: "We know God has sent Pastor Mark and his family to us and we are blessed and honored to have them."
Online Giving, Livestream, and the Fellowship Hall Roof
Online giving is available through Breeze, with options for credit card, debit card, or ACH bank transfer, and for one-time or recurring gifts. Every Sunday and Wednesday evening service is livestreamed on the church's Facebook page and YouTube channel (FPHC-Lexington, NC), making the church accessible to anyone who cannot attend in person.
The church is raising funds for repairs to the Fellowship Hall and Gym roof, a major building project on the property. Contributions can be earmarked "Building Fund" whether given online, by check, or by cash, with members asked to pray and take a step of faith in making a financial commitment to help offset the cost.
Spring Bazaar, Community Day, and a Year of Connection
Beyond the weekly calendar, the church hosts a Spring Bazaar with yard sale finds, craft vendors, food, and activities for children. Community Day has included a car show. Vacation Bible School draws dozens of children each summer. Together these events extend the church's #PRT identity, preach, reach, teach, beyond Sunday morning and into the wider life of Lexington. The building on East US Highway 64 is the steady anchor that holds it all together.