New Mud Fork Community Church is a beacon in rural Calhoun
By Bob Weaver
While new houses and community improvements are slow coming, it is a positive sight to see a new church being erected in one of Calhoun's most rural areas.
The new Mud Fork Community Church stands next to the old church, much too small for the 150 folks who attend Sunday services.
"It won't be long before we'll have a dedication service," said Pastor Chris Stout, who lives a short distance away at Servia, Braxton County.
About one-and-one-half years ago, the little community church was about to be closed and turned into a hay barn. Two people had been coming to the services.
"Some of us were moved to build a ministry in this spot," said Stout, "God is doing a great job. We had 93 conversions."
The turn-around started with a revival.
"Now, we have to turn people away because we don't have room in the building," he said.
The new church will be large enough to handle the expanding congregation, with the basement used for classrooms.
"We're getting a lot of teens," said Stout, "and our youth pastor, Jason Belt, is doing some amazing things," starting a Praise and Worship Band, which includes a keyboard, drums and guitar.
"We don't use hymnals. The lyrics are projected on a screen."
The pastor said "The community has really responded."
There are Sunday services at 10 a.m. with Sunday School, a youth service at 5 p.m. and regular evening services at 6 p.m.
A mid-week service is at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
For more information call 655-7509. | 
