This continues a series of stories begin in 2013 highlighting local churches and their contribution to the area.

Philippi Church of Christ located at 73 Old Cherry Rd in Creswell has a storied history worth retelling.
“One of the earliest
documents we have on record is the sale of three fourth of an acre of land for $20 
and the land was to be used for the purpose of holding a house of worship -
it was dated: Sept 13, 1873 – over 140 years ago,” said Pastor Glenn Brickhouse.

The current Church
Building located at 73 Old Cherry Rd. in Creswell was dedicated in 1910.  It
has been added on to many times with additional classrooms, fellowship hall,
and new siding.
“But the original ornate woodwork inside the sanctuary is
still a beauty to behold.  It was all resurfaced and painted in 2013. The
church has a parsonage where the youth minister resides and also a cemetery
behind the main church building,” said Brickhouse.

The latest building to be built is the church’s
Family Life Center.
“It was completed across the street at 74 Cherry Road
in 2002 and the debt paid off in just seven short years. It has been
such a blessing for the church as it is used for dinners, recreation,
exercise, ball, meetings, and so much more,” said Brickhouse.

Philippi has been a strong supporter of mission work throughout the world
and at home for many decades. Over 18 percent of its income went to mission work
last year.  At one point the Church was giving over 40 percent of its budget to
mission work and in the span of about 30 years gave over 1 million dollars
to missions worldwide.

“Men from the congregation moved by a vision from David
Sykes, minister of Philippi at that time, began a mission ministry of
Philippi back in 1973.  It is a Children’s home located right down the
street at 500 Weston Rd., Creswell.  It takes in orphans and needy young
people and gives them the love and support they need.  This ministry is
known as Open Door Christian Ministries and has helped so many young people
through the years,” said Brickhouse.

Recently Philippi has experienced its greatest growth in its 140 year
history.  The last two years have been monumental for this small country
church.  In 2012 there were 61 decisions for Christ (baptisms and transfers)
and 57 decisions in 2013.
“We have to go back to 1878 to get a number even
close to these: there were 40 baptisms at a revival in 1878,” said Brickhouse.
According to Brickhouse attendance
numbers and giving have been extremely encouraging: The average Morning
Worship attendance has grown from 139 in 2004 to 243 in 2013; the average
Wednesday evening Bible Study and Small Group attendance from 43 to 106; and
annual income from $209,000 to $337,000.

Much of the recent growth is attributed to how God has used the new
Contemporary Worship Service, which began January 2012.

“The target audience
was those who were disillusioned with church, those who had no church
background, and those who needed to rediscover a passion for God.  This
seeker friendly service held in the Philippi Family Life Center features a
contemporary praise band called: “Committed” casual attire, breakfast at
8AM, practical preaching, friendly atmosphere, offering box instead of
plates passed, weekly communion, videos, dramas, and variety in format,” said Brickhouse.

Philippi offers the Contemporary Worship Service at 8:30 a.m. and the
traditional service in the main Church building (with organ, piano, flute, &
percussion) at 10:45 a.m. with their Sunday School Program in between at
9:30 a.m.

Another factor in the church’s growth is attributed to the midweek
Discipleship Groups held in various homes in the Creswell area.

“These small
groups meet weekly with an emphasis on caring, studying God’s Word, praying,
reaching out, and fellowship.  There is also a traditional Bible Study at
the Church and an active youth program for all ages held in the Family Life
Center,” said Brickhouse.

Brickhouse explained that this two-pronged emphasis of celebrative worship and discipleship
groups is based on a “20/20 Vision” that has been in place for a few years at
Philippi.  It follows the biblical pattern found in Acts
20:20 of the Bible which reads “taught you publicly and from house to
house.”

Philippi has a wide range of programs throughout the year for all ages.
Some of the bigger outreach programs this year will be: Fun Night Feb. 8,
Easter Egg Hunt Apr. 19, Spring Picnic June 1, Revival July 17-20, Vacation
Bible School Aug. 4-8, Lakeside Service Aug. 24, Homecoming Oct. 19, Community
Day & Fall Festival Oct. 25, Christmas Program Dec. 7, Christmas Eve Service
Dec. 24.

Philippi sends out a weekly newsletter to over 200
families and has done so for over 45 years.  Philippi just completed its fourth
Christmas Dinner Theater in which about 350 folks came out and enjoyed
dinner and a show performed by church members of all ages.  This past year’s
show was “Uncle Phil’s Diner” with a 50’s theme where folks wore 50’s garb,
enjoyed 50’s music and decorations, and saw a Christmas play situated in a
50’s Diner and Topside Catering  served a delicious steak and chicken dinner.

One of the new programs Philippi is embarking on for the first time this
year is an Upward Sports program featuring basketball and cheerleading for
K-6th grades.

Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian sports league
for youth athletics.   Upward Sports teaches sport skills and values, offers family-friendly schedules, allows kids to make new friends; and provides equal playing time.

Throughout the season, children explore and
discover their love of the sport by playing half of every game. Kids are
individually recognized at each game and find positive role models in
coaches and other sports volunteers.

This program will run Jan. 18 through
Mar. 8, 2014 and hopefully will be done again the following year.

Glenn Brickhouse, a native of Tyrrell and Washington counties, became
minister of Philippi almost eight years ago.

Glenn received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in
Bible from Roanoke Bible College in Elizabeth City NC (now Mid-Atlantic
Christian University) in 1985.
In addition to his present ministry, he has
ministered at churches in Kenbridge, Virginia, Plymouth, North Carolina, Jamestown, Ohio, and at
Washington, North Carolina.

Glenn is a local boy who graduated from Columbia High School
in 1981. Glenn has often said that he never thought he would be preaching
”back home” but God had other ideas.  Glenn preaches each Sunday to his
parents Harvey & Jessie Brickhouse and sister April Brickhouse, who are
members of Philippi.
Glenn married Nadine Lowen from Covington, Virginia in 1984 while both were
students at Roanoke.  They graduated the same year from Roanoke, Glenn
receiving honors as Valedictorian and Nadine as Salutatorian.
Kevin McNeil, from Roanoke, VA, became youth minister of Philippi in 2011. 
Kevin graduated from Mid Atlantic Christian University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Science in
Biblical Exposition and Youth and Family Ministries.  He is currently
engaged to Miah Johnson of Yorktown, Virginia with their wedding set for May 2014.
As a teen, Kevin was able to find Christ in high school. He has
developed a passion for student ministries and loves turning teenagers into
disciples of Jesus.
“His enthusiasm for youth work and love for the Lord is
contagious,” said Brickhouse.

Check Phillippi Church Christ out at: www.philippicoc.org and on Facebook, or call
252-797-4680 or email at philippi1coc@embarqmail.com.