History
The NCC Story
In 2000 while still working on a Religion and Christian Ministries degree at
Campbell University, Adrian Dixon, along with James Weipert and Jon Hathaway
combined their gifts in ministry as a team. After months of praying, planning,
and searching, the vision of planting a new, contemporary church arose. The
three-man team began in earnest by contacting churches in NC requesting an
opportunity to visit and talk with them about "Having a Vision".
From January until August of 2001, the team would speak and musically perform
for churches and organizations throughout the state as far east as Wilmington
and as far west as Lenoir. Called, motivated, and determined, the three gained
prayer support and raised funds to start Northside Community Church.
A kickoff service was scheduled for the first Sunday of October 2001 at the
local Lockhart Elementary School. Six days before the start date, the plans
suddenly fell through to use the school for a meeting place. After waiting
and praying, God opened the door for a new dwelling place in the old Ace Hardware
Store located in the Wal-Mart Shopping Center. This facility would need major
retrofitting to accommodate a church body. With the help of some local churches
and a small band of 12-15 individuals who would begin the congregation, the
walls were built, wiring for electricity was run, and bathrooms were plumbed.
Meanwhile, informal Sunday services were to meet in the midst of the construction
and mess. The building was warmed by a kerosene heater and powered by a very
loud generator.
Before the walls were closed up, a memorable service took place. Each person
was to literally write on the backside of the sheetrock a favorite or appropriate
Bible verse. The nursery area had scripture about Jesus calling the little
children. The entry way heralded welcome to the house of the Lord. The office
space was covered with verses from Timothy about being prepared to preach. The
gathering room was filled with Psalms and verses of song and praise. The memory
of those walls still bearing the scriptures continues to be a heartening
thought.
This group of regulars was firmly established and the official first Sunday of
the new church was on February 17, 2002. NCC would worship in this structure
as the result of prayers, dedication, and hard work. Lives have been changed,
turned around, ministries have begun, and life-long bonds have been formed.
In August of 2003, NCC moved a quarter mile down the road and occupied the
Harper Park Community Center in downtown Knightdale for worship services. The
congregation adjusted to the task of setting up chairs, stage, and projector
for services each week. Also, small home groups had started meeting throughout
the week.
January 2005 brought a campaign of the Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren. This
series was a catalyst to both spiritual growth within the body and physical
growth in numbers. As the church continued to flourish with activities and
attendees, it was evident that NCC was outgrowing the Harper Park location.
By September 2005, a new meeting facility was soon located in the Little Village
Shopping Center on Hwy 64 on the east side of Knightdale. With the additions to
the flock, the time had come to add another staff position and Steven Burleson
was called to fill the Associate Pastor/Youth role.
With this continued growth in mind, plans are underway for a future worship
center and educational facility in the Knightdale area. Even as the church
has continued to reach out to the eastern Wake County area, we are committed
to not larger growth but to individual growth of disciples for Jesus Christ.
We invite you and your family to become an active part of what God is doing
here at Northside Community Church.