On October 25th the Monte de los Olivos Hispanic Fellowship gathered to celebrate the completion of the renovation and to dedicate a former radio station on US-301 in St. Pauls, NC, to the glory of God and for the purpose of communicating the Gospel. The celebration was the culmination of the hard work of members of the congregation who labored far into the night and on weekends to gut and rebuild the abandoned radio station building and to turn it into their new worship and Christian education center.

“The results are amazing,” said General Presbyter Bill Reinhold who often peeked into the building while it was being transformed. “Where there was once clutter and debris, broken sheet-rock and torn-up floors, dangling wiring and broken fixtures, there is now a wide open space freshly walled with new sheet-rock and covered with bright paint.” A raised platform area focuses the attention of the congregation on the worship leaders.

Taking part in the service of dedication were several pastors from other Hispanic communities across the presbytery. Pastor José Perez from the Manantial de Vida congregation in Fuquay Varina, Rev. Miguel Aragon of the Misión Presbiteriana de Sanford, and Rev. Jacob Santizo from the Rios de Agua Viva church in Seven Springs joined Pastor Dina Chuc Chi of Monte de los Olivos in St. Pauls. Rev. Dr. Bill Reinhold brought greetings from the Presbytery and spoke of the church as the Body of Christ. Rev. Dr. Susan Hudson, pastor of the St. Pauls Presbyterian Church dedicated the building. Members of the congregation brought musical offerings to the standing-room-only gathering.

The St. Pauls Congregation shared space with the Monte de los Olivos Fellowship while their building was being renovated. Rev. Hudson presented the Fellowship with a large group photo taken of members of both congregations during the 175th Consecutive Communion and Homecoming Service on May 11, 2014.  She also gave them a handmade pottery communion chalice and paten for worship.  Rev. Hudson spoke of the bonds of fellowship that had been formed and would continue as the two congregations continue to work together and witness to the Gospel in the St. Pauls area.

The Presbytery of Coastal Carolina approved the purchase of land at its March 8, 2014, meeting in Morehead City. The Monte de los Olivos congregation also dedicated a large portion of their savings to the purchase of the land. Future plans call for the construction of a larger worship center on the 3 acre parcel.