VALDOSTA — Needing a bigger place wasn’t topping Bridge Builders Community Church’s priority list for the new church’s first worship service. But last Sunday as people kept filling the folded chairs in the rented space in a Bemiss Road shopping plaza, church leadership was already faced with the possibility of needing a larger room.
Immediate interest, however, is not a bad problem for a new church to have.
Husband-and-wife co-pastors Daren Waters and Carolyn Waters were pleasantly surprised by the success of that first service.
“We can seat 70 people but we were starting to worry that wouldn’t be enough,” he says.
Daren Waters is a former Air Force chaplain whom, with his family, decided to make Valdosta their home after fulfilling his military commitment. He and Carolyn were both raised in Georgia so Valdosta is a good fit. \
“God has called us here,” he says.
The calling has led the Waters to establish Bridge Builders Community Church, a non-denominational church devoted to bringing a multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-generational ministry to Valdosta.
“11 a.m. Sunday is the most segregated hour of the week,” Waters says.
He’s referring to the church hour when whites go to white churches, blacks go to black churches, Hispanics go to Hispanic churches, etc. Few congregations here, or anywhere else in Georgia or the United States, are integrated. With Bridge Builders, the Waters hope to offer one of the churches to change this multi-lateral segregation.
“We’re called Bridge Builders because we hope to reach out to all segments of the community,” Daren Waters says.
Filling those chairs last week, the Waters say, were black, white and Hispanic faces of all ages.
“The main mission or our church is to love people,” he says. “Reach out and love people. We’re looking to connect with others. We want to be a voice of support and build bridges to bring people together.”
The Waters have three children: Daren Waters Jr., 15; Darolyn, 8; Dariana, 4.
Bridge Builders Community Church
Where: 3323H Bemiss Road.
When: 10 a.m. Sunday school; 11 a.m. Sunday worship service. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday prayer; 7 p.m. Wednesday Bible study.
Community
January 18, 2006
New church looks to be a Bridge Builder
- Community
-
-
Diva Day 2008
- Culinary classes seek Old West taste VALDOSTA — The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts continues its culinary-arts series this week with Experience the Old West in the South food class.
-
Church celebrates new CD, hosts concert Saturday
VALDOSTA — Victory Temple Evangelistic Center’s Praise Team leader Russell Jackson had never written a song in his life until he was inspired by Bishop Henry Williams’ sermon one Sunday morning.
- Adann-Kennn's Oscar Picks Our movie critic Adann-Kennn Alexxandar shares his picks for tonight's broadcast of the 78th Annual Academy Awards, 8 p.m.
- Renowned pianist to make recital stop in Valdosta Internationally renowned, Moscow-based pianist Katia Skanavi is scheduled to perform a local recital this week, featuring works by composers such as Handel, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Rachmaninov, and Liszt.
- Faith of a Child Wendy Rumley was given less than a year to live. That was nearly four years ago. Now, the Rumleys have a new addition to their family.
- Two systems or one?
- New church looks to be a Bridge Builder Needing a bigger place wasn’t topping Bridge Builders Community Church’s priority list for the new church’s first worship service. But last Sunday as people kept filling the folded chairs in the rented space in a Bemiss Road shopping plaza, church leadership was already faced with the possibility of needing a larger room.
- Zaccari outlines VSU’s plans VALDOSTA — As 2006 marks the centennial anniversary of Valdosta State University’s inception, President Ronald Zaccari outlined a plan of campus developments that will bring the university into a new distinguished era.
- Lowndes Middle teachers nominated for Disney award Lowndes Middle School sixth grade teachers Melanie Mares, Sue Van Nortwick and Elissa Tomlinson are being recognized for their creativity and success in the classroom as Disney Teacher Award Nominees.
- More Community Headlines
-
