It is an honor to welcome the Rev. James Toler, the new pastor of the Robbinsville Church of God to our community.
Rev. Toler and his wife Clanny began their ministry here in September. James was called to ministry in 2010. Like many, he served the Lord in his home church in many capacities, before being called to pastor a church in 2013.
We are grateful God brought them to Graham County.
Never forget, it is in the local church we nurture and prepare the next generation for ministry. The church recognizes and affirms a person’s call to Christian ministry and sends them forth. They learn from our examples and the hope is our children will have faith and our faith will have children.
I believe God calls all people into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Those who accept this relationship God calls into ministry. The ministry may be prayer, teaching, leadership, singing, encouragement or whatever God calls someone to do.
In addition, God sets aside some Christians for ordained ministry. This is a great responsibility – but with our grounding and blessing, we prepare people for ministry and they preach the word and serve the sacraments.
The Robbinsville Church is part of the Church of God, based in Cleveland, Tenn. The Church of God had its beginnings close to home.
The Rev. Richard Spurling – a Baptist minister burdened by the Landmark movement affecting the area – called together Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians to a meeting in Barney Creek, Tenn. He preached a sermon about a vision of a church that was not burdened by denominational differences and human traditions but looked to the New Testament for its inspiration.
Eight people came forward that day and a body called the Christian Union was formed. Spurling’s son, the Rev. Richard Spurling Jr. was called to be the minister.
In 1892, William F. Bryant began prayer meetings in his home in Camp Creek near Murphy. Spurling and Bryant became friends and coworkers for the Gospel. It was in 1896 with much prayer, a ten day revival was held at the Shearer Schoolhouse near Camp Creek.
Four evangelists brought the message and people from all over the mountains came to hear the word. From the start the altar was full and even “hard” sinners came forward and repented of their sins.
Like on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit came in a mighty way and people were filled with the Holy Spirit. In 1907, the Holiness Church of Camp Creek changed its name to Church of God.
While not as well known as the Azusa Street revival of 1906, the Shearer Schoolhouse revival gave birth to the Church of God, which is made up of a number of denominations that cooperate and have over 7 million members and 40,000 churches worldwide.
Robbinsville Church of God is located at 233 Long Creek Road. Sunday School is at 10 a.m. Worship services are Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. The Sunday service is available online at facebook.com/RobbinsvillechurchofGod/.
You are welcome to join them for some mighty fine singing and preaching.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.