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Hill Crest building project bringing people together

By Sarah Shurge building at the time.
“It’s been a long two and a half Some people of the congregation
years but God’s faithfulness over- that wanted to be more socially dis-
whelmed the people. There were lots tanced, sat in their cars or sat on the
of tears,” said Seth McDonald, lead street so they could still be a part of
pastor at Hill Crest Bible Church, in the service.
reference to Sunday service on May “I’ve loved seeing Christians get
16th. excited for church and God’s work.
Pastor McDonald claims that Even through the pandemic,” said
every Sunday goes good, but there Pastor McDonald.
was something special about this Pastor McDonald has been in
Sunday. It was the first service in the ministry for 10 years this August. He
new sanctuary. was a youth pastor for seven years
Hill Crest started as a new before becoming lead pastor at Hill
church in 2018 in a rented portion Crest when it started in 2018.
of the First United Methodist Church If you are looking for more infor-
of Wayne. After renting and sharing mation about Hill Crest or have any
the same building for two years, the questions, you can go to their web-
First United Methodist Church de- site, hillcrestbiblechurch.com. There
cided to close its doors in January is a form you can fill out, so they can
2021. Hill Crest first service in the newly renovated sanctuary. get in contact with you. You can also
Hill Crest decided to purchase that is attached to the church. Pastor gether. So, he decided to take things email hillcrestbiblec@gmail.com.
the building from them. By doing so, McDonald said “they are calling it outside. You can also find them on social
they closed six months sooner than ‘beautifying.’” “The building is from For two months, service was out- media by searching Hill Crest Bible
they originally planned. the 50’s, so we don’t want to modern- side under tents they set up on the Church on Facebook, Instagram,
“It really just showed if we trusted ize the building because it has his- grounds. After every service they and Twitter, along with YouTube
him [God] or trusted the bank ac- tory. But we want to make it our would have to tear everything down where they stream their services.
count,” said Pastor McDonald. building,” said Pastor McDonald. and set it back up again every week Links to all social media accounts
After closing, the renovations Hill Crest Bible Church is located because they were still renting the are on their website.
began and they decided to get the in 3 Towne Square in the heart of
biggest room they had to redo out of downtown Wayne.
the way: the sanctuary. It was all Hill Crest has services on Sunday
hands on deck. at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. On Wednesday
The congregation and members nights there is a bible study at 6:30
of Hill Crest did most of the work p.m. They offer things for all ages, in-
themselves and Pastor McDonald cluding children's church that is
claims that “pretty much everyone geared towards that specific age
had a part in remodeling the group.
church.” Stating that everyone had Hill Crest is non-denominational
their own specific jobs to do, older and opens its doors to anyone.
and younger people, every age group Their motto is: “Come as you are.
was there working. Serve as you are. Love Whose you
There was lots to do. They gutted are.”
the sanctuary down to bones, added “We want everyone to come and
new carpet, repainted, built walls, we want the Holy Spirit to change
did stage work, and added a new them,” said Pastor McDonald.
sound system. Just to name a few And visitors continue to come to
things. Hill Crest. Pastor McDonald shared
“It brought the church closer and that they have almost a new visitor a
strengthened us,” said Pastor Mc- week, and they had five first time vis-
Donald. “Even people that don't go to itors on May 16th for the first service
church came and volunteered. They in the new sanctuary.
just wanted to be a part and help. So, “When visitors show up we like to
even through a building project, God hug, shake hands, and go to their
is still reaching people.” house and visit and show them that
The people of Hill Crest have al- we appreciate them,” said Pastor Mc-
ready changed some rooms in the Donald. “So it’s been a challenge
church but are looking to start redo- with COVID.”
ing the bathrooms and the nursery During the first month of COVID,
next. They plan to continue going Hill Crest did service online. But Pas-
room by room until every room is re- tor McDonald is not a fan of online
done, including the 1920 building service because he likes being to-
The Wayne Dispatch · June 2021 · 13