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During the summer of 1976,
Rev. William P. Elias began a Gospel Crusade in Culpeper, Virginia.
Out of this Gospel Crusade grew a "new fundamental independent
Baptist church" - Open Door Baptist Church. The first service of
Open Door Baptist Church was held in the Dominion Skating Center on
August 8, 1976. Sunday school had attendance of 37, morning service
attendance was 42, and the first evening crowd was made up of 44
people.
Jesus Christ said, over
two thousand years ago, "...I
will build my church..." (Matthew 16:18). No where in
scripture are we told to build His church for Him. Thus, all the glory
goes to Almighty God for any success that has been achieved through
Open Door's ministry these last thirty years. However, God in a
mysterious and wonderful way has chosen to use people to accomplish
His Kingdom work.
There are scores of people
that have shared in this ministry the past thirty years. The
shepherds/pastors; Bill Elias, 1976-78; Pat Fortner, 1978; Jerry
Hughes 1979-86; Mark Jarvis, 1986-2003; and Bernie Jernigan,
2004-present. Pastor Jernigan received his Bachelor's degree
in Religious Education from Nashville Bible College, a ThM from
Dallas Theological Seminary, and is
presently completing his Doctoral work at
Liberty Baptist
Theological Seminary. All of our pastors have been used in a
unique way to lead this local church ministry.
Today, Open Door's
leadership consists of the senior pastor, Bernie Jernigan, and seven deacons, Pete Benson,
Todd Cole,
Jerry Currier, Perry Faria, CJ Gross, Bobby Thornhill, and Benji York.
Open Door's congregation
has been greatly blessed with outstanding lay leadership. Joice
Curtis, the church's office manager since 1977, continues to
faithfully minister through the church office daily. Becky Miller, our Financial Administrator, has worked in
the church's financial office for several years. There are many
others who give of themselves and their resources to be the hands and
feet of Jesus through the Open Door Ministry.
If the past and present
are any indicators, the greatest days are still in the future for Open
Door. Our church was founded in the bicentennial year, 200 years
after the signing of the Declaration
of Independence. Join us as we celebrate our 30th year!
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