News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A new church coming to White County later this month to serve those without a spiritual home.
Lead Pastor Chris Howard said White County’s new HOME Church will meet at White County High School every Sunday starting February 25. He said the non-denominational congregation will focus on escaping the past, embracing the future, and encouraging others.
“If you’re new to church, maybe you’re a longtime Christian, or you’re just seeking a new beginning,” Howard said. “The heart of HOME Church is that you find a welcoming home. We want to create a place where you can genuinely connect with God and his people.”
Howard said he started a bible study at his home in July and many who attended urged him to start a church. He said he held a preview service at Duck Pond Manor and over 100 people showed up. He said that confirmed his feeling that starting a new church in White County was the right thing to do.
“I believe that HOME church, that we exist to fill that void,” Howard said. “We are built on connecting people. There is a difference between being a church with small groups and a church of small groups.”
Howard said the volunteer team of some 60 people has been meeting for the last two weeks to get logistics and plans for services and programming shored up. He said services will begin at 10:00am every Sunday.
“Whether that’s helping with parking or greeting people at the door, helping with kids check-in, helping with nursery, working kids ministry, or being a part of our worship team, just a lot of different opportunities to serve people,” Howard said.
Howard said he began his ministry in 2003 and was a pastor at Cookeville’s Life Church before stepping down in 2021 due to burn-out. He said holding intersocial events at Duck Pond Manor showed him that many people in Sparta and White County were looking for a home church, and White County High School was gracious enough to allow them a physical home for worship.
