In the North Durham area, Rose of Sharon Baptist Church is known for the promise that defines its vision: “A place where you can grow.” The church gathers at 4109 Guess Road for Sunday Morning Worship at 10:00 a.m., followed by Life Groups, and its ministries extend from nursery and preschool age through youth, young adulthood, and senior adulthood. Worship, teaching, family support, practical care, music, education, and disaster relief all form part of its work. The church's phone is 919-477-3993.
A Place to Grow in Three Directions
Rose of Sharon describes itself as a ministering body of Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Its mission has five emphases:
- Proclamation: Proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
- Teaching: Teach the essentials of the Christian life as revealed in God's Holy Word.
- Growth and service: Nurture Christian growth and service through worship, teaching, training, fellowship, and discipleship.
- Community ministry: Minister to the needs of the community in cooperation with other Christians in reaching out to the world.
- Family education: Assist the spiritual growth of families through education and programs based on traditional Christian values and biblical morals, designed for the developmental needs of each age group.
Its vision describes growth in three directions. Spiritually, each person begins with a personal relationship with Christ. Relationally, people grow through relationships within the church and develop connections outside it so they can reach the community for Christ. Individually, each follower is called to be a disciple, minister, and servant, taking personal responsibility for lifelong growth as a follower of Christ.
Sunday Worship at 10 and Small Groups After
Sunday Morning Worship begins at 10:00 a.m. Life Groups meet after it for all ages, with Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and sharing in a small-group setting. The groups seek a deeper relationship with God, and adults study weekly. Their lessons are topical and organized around a six-week unit theme, though each lesson stands on its own. The adult curriculum uses Lifeway material with lectures, outlines, maps, and visuals. Questions and discussion are welcomed, and the groups communicate by email and text, with Zoom available weekly.
- College and Career gathers college-age and young adult men and women to study God's Word, grow in biblical wisdom, and deepen their relationship with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
- The Flock is open to adults of any age. It emphasizes mutual support and learning through topical and Bible-book studies, with an environment of love, humor, understanding, and shared growth that gives people room to share life experiences.
- Followers uses “GROW,” meaning God, Relationship, Others, and the Word, as its organizing idea. This group welcomes any-age adults, combines Bible teaching, topical studies, and current events, and involves volunteers in teaching and discussion. Group texts, email, activities, and planned gatherings keep its members connected.
- CITA is a senior Life Group that meets each Sunday and uses the Bible Studies for Life curriculum. Its aim is to strengthen mature and new believers so they can carry out the Great Commission, with Durham as the starting point.
Connect Kids: Learning, Playing, and Following Jesus
Connect Kids serves infants through age 11. Its vision is to connect North Durham children and families with Jesus through worship, Bible study, fun, friendship, and missions. The ministry seeks to help, serve, and equip every child with the tools and understanding needed to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Its goals include creating an environment of spiritual growth, helping children hear, learn, and obey God's Word, equipping parents to guide their children at home, and preparing children's workers as spiritual leaders.
Nursery through third grade
The nursery provides a safe environment where children are held, rocked, fed, loved, and allowed to play while their parents attend Life Groups. Preschool students ages 4 to 5 meet in Room 301, where Bible-based curriculum, activities, games, and videos introduce Jesus and His love. First- through third-grade students meet in Room 302, where Bible stories are reinforced with games, crafts, and prayers in what the ministry calls an atmosphere of God's love.
Crusaders for Christ from fourth grade through junior high
Fourth- through sixth-grade students are called Crusaders for Christ and meet in Room 203. The ministry emphasizes teaching the Word of God with affection so children can seek and find Him in their own lives. Seventh- through twelfth-grade students continue with the Crusaders for Christ name in the Youth Building, where intentional conversation, Bible study, and leadership cultivate a community of discipleship.
From The Grove to Golden Roses
The Grove is the youth ministry for ages 12 to 18. It seeks the mental, moral, physical, and spiritual growth of teenagers through Christ-centered programs and activities, while encouraging fellowship with other young people in Durham.
Young adults ages 18 to 29 meet every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Their aim is to magnify Christ by developing servant-leaders and people of spiritual maturity.
Golden Roses serves adults age 55 and older by helping them remain connected with Rose of Sharon Baptist Church and continue growing in faith. Its opportunities include missions, ministry, worship, prayer, fellowship, spiritual growth, teaching, mentoring, and giving.
The church also operates Rose of Sharon Baptist Church Preschool, with Elizabeth Parker serving as preschool director. Together, these age-specific ministries reflect the church's emphasis on helping families and each age group grow in faith.
Music From the Pews to the Stage
Rose of Sharon encourages everyone to lift up their voices and make a joyful noise, with a wide variety of songs and musical offerings. The Children's Choir is led by Judy Hilliard, a church member and former music teacher. It practices for 30 minutes each Sunday at 5:00 p.m. as part of Connect Kids, working on praise and worship songs and mini musicals before sharing songs and energy with the congregation.
The Praise Team leads the 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship service. Its musicians use vocal and instrumental gifts to lead the congregation in praise, and the group rehearses weekly.
The Sound and Light Team manages the audio and visual elements of worship and also supports special events such as weddings and Vacation Bible School. Training is offered to anyone interested in joining, whether they have previous audio-visual experience or not.
Live sermons are available through Facebook Live, and the church also maintains a YouTube channel.
Hearts 'n Hands: Care Woven Into Every Square
The Hearts 'n Hands Quilt Ministry meets on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. Its mission is to provide comfort, love, encouragement, and support to the church family and to personal family and friends who are experiencing illness, hospitalization, a care-facility stay, or homebound life.
Disaster Relief and the Work of Giving
Rose of Sharon's Disaster Relief ministry provides ways to minister to people who are hurting because of disasters. Working as volunteers with North Carolina Baptists On Mission, church members help affected individuals and families rebuild their lives and homes. The church also supports gospel-centered ministries financially.
Giving is available as a one-time or recurring gift through an encrypted, secure giving service. Electronic bank transfer, debit card, and major credit cards are accepted, and donors can view their giving history. The church ties this practice to the biblical teaching about honoring God with the “first fruits” of one's labor.
A Baptist Faith Built on Core Beliefs
Rose of Sharon is a Baptist church consisting of believers in Jesus Christ who have followed His example by being baptized by immersion and who continue to grow in their faith. It identifies with and affirms The Baptist Faith & Message.
- The Bible is the inspired Word of God and is without error. It is the true and accurate account of God's love for us, revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.
- Jesus Christ is God and became human through the virgin birth. He is fully God and fully man.
- Jesus' atonement on the cross made Him the substitute and sacrifice for sin. Salvation is by grace through faith, accepting that Jesus' death paid the punishment for sin.
- Jesus rose bodily on the third day, appeared to His disciples, is alive, and sits at the right hand of God the Father.
- Jesus will return to earth, while God determines the time, date, and details of His second coming.
Membership is received in three ways. After a person prays to receive Christ, that person is presented to the church for baptism. For a church-letter transfer, Rose of Sharon contacts the former church and requests a transfer letter. A person who has prayed to receive Christ and been baptized by immersion can join by statement of faith without previous membership. If someone has prayed to receive Christ but has not been baptized by immersion, the church encourages baptism by immersion. A person from a sprinkling background is asked to join the church and be baptized by immersion.
A Team Approach to Ministry
Ministry at Rose of Sharon emphasizes a team approach. Staff and lay leaders work together across the age groups and treat the church as an extended family. The pastor and staff are available to meet individually or with families. Rev. Jeff McCarthy is senior pastor, Blake Flinchum is associate pastor, Sam Walker is worship leader, and Elizabeth Parker is preschool director. Children's Choir Director Judy Hilliard leads the children's music ministry.
For Rose of Sharon, these parts of ministry work together: Sunday worship and Life Groups anchor the week, while teaching, music, care for families, service to people affected by disaster, and opportunities for every age extend the church's calling in Durham.