Blessed Hope Christian Fellowship began in the early 2000’s and was comprised of only three families. God had been working deeply in these families’ lives, and subsequently, they left the Old Order Mennonite group they had been a part of.
Having a strong faith in God and knowing His desire for a called-out church carried these three families through the extreme difficulties they faced in the early years. Some loose ties with a distant church were developed, but still there was no ordained ministry. At this crucial time, the Showalter’s father and husband passed away.
Amidst the inner turmoil and grief, the Showalter family received a lot of pressure to relocate to a more established church, and at first impulse that seemed like the wisest move. But after earnestly seeking God’s guidance for a time, He clearly led them to stay in Kentucky. Sure, the future looked dark and challenging with no father to lead and provide for the 10 of 11 children who still lived at home, but God would make a way, and He would raise up a church.
Back at the fledging church, the three families weren’t about at the end of their trials. Visiting families and individuals came and left, some of them exerting every effort to push the church to their personal theological persuasions. Differences of opinions were prevalent, and threatened to create divisions. But God continued to build His church, and as the Bible promises, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Many meetings were held as the committed brothers endeavored to lay out a vision for the congregation, and thus, direction began to be established. Shortly following, an ordained minister moved into the area to assist the church, and the brotherhood continued to draw together in heart, mind, and practice.
Around this time, a statement of faith was written to give clarity to folks who were interested in joining the congregation. Later, some brotherhood agreements were put in place, and a better understanding was given of what the church believed and practiced. God blessed these endeavors as the brothers intentionally sought to unify their hearts, and stability and rest came to the church as a result.
Today, twenty plus years later, the church continues to grow, and God is doing great things. Now there are three “sister” congregations which have originated from the initial group. Our desire at Blessed Hope Christian Fellowship is to praise the Lord for His tremendous faithfulness, and to continue pressing on the upward way until we reach our eternal home.
