ROSCOMMON – We want to share what God has done in Roscommon. In 1981, a Bible Study and fellowship began at Bambi Lake Retreat and Conference Center. They moved to St. Helen for a few years, then the faithful followed the Spirit’s leading to begin a church plant of Roscommon Baptist Church.
They grew and followed God to a larger building. In 2000, as a growing congregation, the faithful felt the Spirit leading to move again. They prayed, trusted, and followed God. Hearing the Spirit of God say, “GO!” They prayed, trusted, and obeyed. They asked the Lord, “Where?” They prayed.
The second property inquired about was 18 wooded acres with a small cardboard handwritten sign saying, “For Sale by Owner” with a phone number. They prayed, called, and God said, “HERE!” The task would be enormous. They prayed. The labor would be hard. They trusted and God worked. The debt would be significant. They prayed, trusted, and God provided. They knew they could not do it. They trusted God. Those few faithful had no idea how God would provide.
August 2014, a groundbreaking occurred, followed by laying of the foundation.
April 8, 2015, Dr. Michael Ritchie stated, “This is a big deal for our little church, yet we know God is leading us along the way. We want to reach our world for Christ. We start June 1st with framing and work throughout the summer with an expected Grand Opening this fall. We ask you to pray for uu and God bless you for praying!”
June 2015, through prayer, obedience, a grant from John C Lasko Foundation and a 15-year $265,000 loan, God built an almost 10,000 square foot building, giving the property an approximately $1.2 million value. The building was raised in a week, by God’s doing alone. Dankert Construction, Hull Building Company, Beardsley’s Plumbing and Heating, Milltown Electric, S&J Excavating, Chilton Baptist Builders from Clinton County, Alabama, and church members with other teams provided physical labor. During the first week, the “For Sale by Owner” sign was replaced with the Chilton Baptist Builders slogan, “GOD IS ABLE”.
Having the Occupancy Permit, a Dedication Service occurred September 5, 2015, in the sanctuary. On the frames and trestles are written words of God and prayers for the church. In the foyer, the cross symbolizes how we stand only on the Word and work of God. The faithful pledged to give a designated offering monthly to pay on the mortgage.
January 2023, Dr. Michael Ritchie motioned to use $10,000 from the checking account to pay down the mortgage and continue monthly payments for the loan to be paid off in September. The motion failed. Discouraged, he took his seat and prayed. A member of the Building Committee, Terry Miller, motioned to pay the mortgage in full. The faithful passed the motion unanimously.
Ten years from property purchase, 8 years from dedication, and only 7 ½ years of payments, Roscommon Baptist Church is DEBT FREE!
On September 9, we invited church family, building crew, and community to celebrate with archery, hayrides, a Titanic slide, popcorn, snow cones, pig roast, wild game stew, side dishes, and desserts. It was a great day of fellowship. Words from Pastor Erikson Aldridge, Dr. Michael Ritchie, Terry Miller, and a Burning of the Mortgage closed the celebration.
Celebrating freedom from debt in 7 ½ years, with seven representing completion, we do not look back and say, “Look what we have done”. Instead, we say, “Come and see what God has done…GOD IS ABLE!!“ Celebrating what God began, we know He will be faithful to complete it. Not of works of any man, lest we could boast, but that we stand here basking in the work and splendor of God.
We lift up to Heaven an offering of thanksgiving and praise. As the people of God thousands of years ago, we offer up thanksgiving for all God has done and praise for what we have witnessed. We thank God for what we know He will accomplish for His glory and His kingdom in the future. As eight represents new beginnings, Roscommon Baptist Church is praying for God’s direction in this new beginning of being JUSTIFIED. GOD IS ABLE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Glenda Aldridge serves alongside her husband, Pastor Erikson Aldridge at Roscommon Baptist Church. She home-educates their two children, Nadya (13) and Vanya (10).
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