The Rev. Nelson Carter stepped out on faith nearly five years ago because he trusted that God had a plan.
“I didn’t know what would happen, but I just felt God leading me to start a church,” Carter said. “I thought I was going to minister to a few people and hopefully introduce at least one to the Lord, but when you do what God asks you to do, it always comes out better than you could ever imagine.”
On Sunday, Carter’s congregation — Calvary Apostolic Church — will worship for the first time in their newly constructed church building at 2693 Nesbitt Ave. The building is a tangible sign of the faithfulness of the small congregation that started with about 30 people and has grown to attract about 250 worshippers each week.
“For a church as young as ours and as small as ours, to have as much as we have is unheard of,” said Jeff Carter, Calvary’s music director and son of the pastor. “We’re just blessed. There is no other way to explain it.”
Since organizing in October 2009, the congregation has met at Voris Community Learning Center in Akron. As the numbers increased, the elder Carter began looking for a building. His wife suggested looking for land instead.
“He laughed and said ‘we don’t have any money.’ But I believed that if God is in this, he’s going to make a way,” said Judith Carter. “All along the way, it’s been the hand of God leading us and making a way.”
The Carters said everything from the purchase of the four acres of land to the contractor to the décor seemed to come together almost effortlessly for the 8,500-square-foot building. The chairs in the four classrooms and the Hammond organ and grand piano in the auditorium were donated to the church.
The auditorium — designed using warm grays and wheats and espresso wood accents — has a 296-seat capacity. A sound booth is located in a corner at the back of the auditorium.
The baptistery is behind the pulpit/stage area.
A room, equipped with a sink and counter space, has been designated to house the church’s Love Thy Neighbor Food Pantry, where food will be distributed to at least 60 families on the first Saturday of every month.
Ron Young, of Barberton, who has been a part of the congregation since it was established in October 2009 said he is hopeful that the building will be a sign of hope for people in the community.
“We’re here so that somebody may be saved, to help somebody meet God,” Young said. “We’re family here. God started this family when he put this church on the heart of a very humble man. Everything we do here is about leading people to God.”
Worship services are offered at Calvary are 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
For more information about the church, go to www.churchofakron.org or call 330–745–7248.
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com. She can be followed at www.twitter.com/ColetteMJenkins.
