Ministry on the Margins at Middlebrook COG

The Middlebrook Church of God was birthed in the early 1960’s, out of a cottage prayer meeting. In time, they rented an old farm house and began to have service there. On May 21, 1961 the Church of God in Middlebrook was organized in that old farm house. Under the leadership of that first pastor, a vision was birthed to build a church. In 1963, the church purchased three acres of land and in early 1966 a new church building was constructed.

From 1966 to 1977, the Middlebrook Church of God went through many pastors, some staying only a few months to one year. In late 1977, the church was in such a deep financial state, that the state overseer sent the district pastor to the church to close the doors. That night the district pastor and a handful of faithful church members had a camp meeting. In that meeting, the power of God began to fall and the district pastor, per the leading of the Lord, could not close the doors. God had another plan.

Since then, the Lord has blessed the Middlebrook church tremendously. The church, in spite of it’s rural location, has been a steady influence in this community for over 50 years. The Middlebrook Church of God is part of several outreach initiatives including: the Augusta Nursing and Rehab, Brookdale Senior Home, Rittenhour Nursing Home and the Valley Community Services Board, which specializes in adults with special needs. We not only bless the residents when we minister to them, but we get a bigger blessing seeing them respond more openly each time. We support our local Valley Mission, which reaches out to those less fortunate, meeting their needs and showing them someone cares.

We also host several events within the church to include extended family, friends, and the community. Each year we have Homecoming, Vacation Bible School, a Harvest Festival, and church picnics, to include those who may not have a home church. We recently reorganized our youth ministry and are waiting for the Lord’s direction for an outreach that will touch many hearts and win them to Christ. Our members are also encouraged to practice personal evangelism ministry, inviting those they come in contact with to church.

I have pastored this church for the past five years, and our goal is to continue to see progress in the years ahead. I believe that fellowship, supporting missions, and outreach play a vital role in the unity within the church and the community. Through our outreach initiatives, our church body has grown. Our mission is to see more souls saved. As a body of faithful believers, we will strive to work, pray, serve, and minister for the glory of God.

Pastor Larry Strickler