History

Russellville Christian Church held their first service on November 6, 2005 at the
Breathitt House, East Fifth Street, Russellville, KY. On that date fifty-eight (58)
persons transferred their membership. Within two years fifteen (15) were
added to the church rolls. Seven (7) members have been lost due to death,
relocation of families, and/or transfer of memberships. There are many
devoted non-members who have supported us in our endeavors and walk in
Christ. These faithful have attended our services on a regular basis. When we
count all our lovely little children, who are listen on our church directory, yet
not on our church roll, every Sunday could be blessed with an attendance of
over ninety (90).
On November 5, 2005 the membership appointed an Executive Board, and on
November 20, 2005 the congregation elected a Steering Committee to serve in
planning and leading the congregation in its earliest stages of development. On
December 2, 2006, the congregation voted to have an elder led fellowship, and
on January 7, 2007 (after having together gone through an in-depth study of
Biblical Eldership) seven elders, including our minister, Bro. Brent Crabtree,
were elected by the congregation. (later one of our elders declined his
position, leaving us currently with six elders) On October 28, 2007 our deacons
were installed, after having been elected by the congregation, and having
together gone through an in-depth study of Biblical Deaconship. Our deacons
are each responsible for chairing one of the following areas of ministry:
Membership, Property, Finance, Missions, Music, and Fellowship.
We have had eight baptisms within our fellowship since our beginnings in
November, 2005, and we rejoice greatly at each of them, and long for many
more!
Since the beginning, our body has put a strong emphasis on small group
fellowship and Bible study. Our Keenagers group, a Bible study primarily for the
retired community, has been strong from the very beginning and continues
today. We have also had men’s groups, women’s groups, studies of specific
books of the Bible, specific subjects of interest, etc. These groups have helped
tremendously to develop our Biblical knowledge, our spiritual understanding,
and our unity as a body!
Sherry Bouldin, our Director of Children’s Ministry, implemented the “Discovery
Club” program for elementary aged children on Wednesdays, starting in
September, 2006. She also organized VBS both in the summers of 2006 and
2007! In September, 2007, the “Wednesday Night Café” program began on
Wednesday nights. All off these programs have been very successful, as seen
in the eager, smiling faces of the children who show up to learn and have fun
together at each event!
The middle and high school students are known as Teens for Christ and have
been meeting together under the leadership of very capable volunteers since
the beginning of our church. They enjoy relevant Bible studies, have presented
skits to the congregation periodically, have had various lock-ins and parties,
and have done several service projects, including participating in the 30 Hour
Famine.
A Building Committee was formed in December, 2005, and a building was
purchased. Our first service in the new building was March 19, 2006. What a
mess! What a blessing! God is so wise and good. Elbow grease and lots of hard
work united us in preparing this building to represent Christ’s plans for us and
our need for Him. To Serve! To wrap our arms around all humanity! Various
items, such as a new sign, pews, a pulpit and communion table, a baptistery,
communion trays, a steeple, roofing, porches, floors, and innumerable other
things were donated and installed by wonderful friends and members of our
church!
Our church has been involved in our community and around the world by
supporting various ministries and missions such as Good Samaritans, Inc, (here
in Russellville), KY Men for Christ, White Mills Camp, needy elementary school
children in our area, and a mission trip to Haiti.
In May of 2007, we hired our first Director of Worship and Youth Ministries,
Kelly Rose, a graduate of Johnson Bible College. She led worship and music
ministries, as well as organizing and leading the Teens for Christ ministry. In
April of 2008, she left to take on a position at another ministry.
Today we continue to grow and change, to look for ways to grow together
within our fellowship, and ways to reach out with Christ’s love to our
surrounding community. We would love for you to become part of our history!