Jackson Heights Church of Christ, at 1031 Hermitage Drive in Florence, Alabama, has gathered for worship since 1951 and calls its congregation a church family. It is known for a cappella worship centered on Scripture, prayer, the Lord's Supper and a message from God's Word, along with classes and ministries for children, youth, young adults, senior adults and ladies.
Sunday and Wednesday on Hermitage Drive
Sunday begins at 9 AM with classes for all ages. Worship services follow at 10 AM and 12:30 PM, while Kids For Christ also meets at 12:30 PM. Wednesday Bible Study begins at 6:30 PM and includes classes for all ages. The church welcomes everyone at its services, which take place at 1031 Hermitage Drive in Florence.
The Sunday services consist of a cappella singing, Scripture readings, prayers, the Lord's Supper, giving and a message from God's Word. The church describes worship as both pleasing to God and meaningful to every participant.
From a House to the Church Auditorium
The congregation dates its beginning to the first Sunday in September 1951, when it met for worship in a residence-type house. In February 1956, the group began using the church auditorium. The activity building has been renovated, the children's classrooms in the basement have been updated, and Jackson Heights continues to emphasize the love and fellowship of its forever family.
Ministries for Learning and Fellowship
Jackson Heights has ministries for missions, education, senior adults, young adults, ladies, children and youth, along with a Cookie Ministry. Named activities add more opportunities to gather: Happy Hearts outings, Anchored young-adult devotionals, Mugs, Muffins, & Message for ladies, church-wide fellowships, Lads to Leaders, Challenge Youth Conference, an annual young-adult retreat, Vacation Bible School and a Back to School Bash.
The church calls members to worship, pray, fellowship, serve one another and bring the Gospel to the community by using their God-given talents and abilities.
Shepherds, Ministers and Deacons
The congregation is led by four shepherds, Stephone Darby, Stan Gossett, Doug Hill and Jason Howton. Harrison Chastain serves in the pulpit, and Larry Davenport leads the young-families ministry. Deacons Dan Burns, Kyle Cooper, Steve McMurtrey, Tim Pannell, Cameron Thorn, Cory Vickery and Ed Willis also serve. The church teaches that elders are responsible for the oversight, protection, edification, discipline and restoration of church members.
What Jackson Heights Believes
Jackson Heights affirms one triune and eternal God: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Son of God, fully human and fully divine, sinless, crucified for sin, resurrected on the third day, ascended to heaven and destined to return in victory and glory. The Bible is God-given and inspired, without error, and the final authority for faith, salvation, morality, ethics, truth and Christian living.
Salvation is God's gift and is available to everyone who hears the Gospel, believes Jesus is Lord, confesses and repents of sin, and is baptized for remission of sins. Baptism is an essential part of God's saving work, and the church is the one body of Christ, with elders overseeing its spiritual life and structure. The church grows through baptism as people worship, pray, fellowship, serve and bring the Gospel of Christ to their community.
Giving and Messages That Continue
Giving is described as an act of worship. Free will offerings are collected on Sunday mornings, and online giving is also available. The church provides a Vimeo livestream, an archived sermon collection and a radio station at radio.truth.fm:8000/wjhf.
At Jackson Heights Church of Christ, the Sunday and Wednesday rhythm brings together a cappella singing, all-age Bible classes, family ministry and congregational fellowship in Florence.