Small-town church makes a big impact in Centertown

Arya Spencer, 7, paints a miniature pumpkin Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 during the Centertown Baptist Church's first fall festival in Centertown. The festival featured games and prizes, a bounce house, a pumpkin painting station, a photo booth, face painting and live music.
Arya Spencer, 7, paints a miniature pumpkin Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 during the Centertown Baptist Church's first fall festival in Centertown. The festival featured games and prizes, a bounce house, a pumpkin painting station, a photo booth, face painting and live music.

CENTERTOWN, Mo. - Growing up, Christin Templeton wasn't a church goer - that is, her family only attended on major holidays.

"This is so much more enriching, to have Sunday school and worship service" every Sunday, said the Centertown Baptist Church member.

She began attending regularly about a decade ago with her husband, Shane, and was baptized in 2008 at the small, rural church about halfway between California and Jefferson City.

Since then, like many young adults, she grew in her faith, in her relationship with her church family and in developing leadership.

"I went from attending Sunday worship to Sunday school; and now, I fill in when the teacher is gone and alternate leading children's church during worship," she said.

The natural progression then was to reach out to the community, Templeton said.

Two years ago, Centertown Baptist Church held a vision-quest meeting to determine what direction it would take, and outreach to young adults was a high priority.

"We're only here on Sunday, but we want the community to know we're here for Centertown wherever it needs us, anytime," she said.

Carolyn Bickel started a Sunday school class for young adults, including Templeton. And it was this class that hosted a first-time fall festival Saturday for the community.

The festival drew many new faces, as well as familiar ones from the Centertown community. Activities for little ones included a bounce house, carnival games and pumpkin painting. For older adults, there was a bluegrass jam, and all ages enjoyed hot apple cider in the church basement.

"Based on this turnout, I think we'll absolutely do this again next year," she said. "We may even do more outdoor activities for the community."

The only church inside the city limits has other events to reach the community, such as the Trunk or Treat coming up 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31 and the backpack collection during back-to-school.

Templeton said she has enjoyed growing in her leadership roles at the church. However, she also enjoys the fellowship.

"That's part of the spiritual journey, learning what our relationship with Christ means and plugging in," Bickel said.

The women's group, Sisters Abiding in Love and Truth (SALT), "is mostly older women, but I love hearing their stories and seeing their love and compassion because life can get crazy," said the mother of two - Trenton, 7, and Leah, 4.

"It tickles our senior adults to death to see the younger adults with their children," said the Rev. Stephen Bickel.

The Centertown church not only blends generations but communities and denominations, he said.

A recent congregational survey showed members drive from as far as Holts Summit, including Jefferson City, Russellville and California, to the 150-year-old church.

However, it's the relationship-building, grounded in a relationship with Jesus Christ, which overlooks denominational labels that amazes the pastor. In ministry for more than 50 years, Bickel said that would not have happened when he first started his career as a Southern Baptist minister.

"This has been a huge journey switch," Bickel said. "What's important is that personal relationship with Christ, placing their faith and trust in him and believing he was crucified and died just for them."

Watching this small-town church grow and young members taking on new leadership has been exciting for him, he said.

"Leaving here on a Sunday, I feel so much more centered from the chaos of the week and reinvigorated for Monday," Templeton said.