During the summer of 2002, Home Bible studies and prayer walks began in the city of Whiteville, NC by members of the Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church in Council. Bible studies had been conducted previously in Whiteville over the years, but now with the goal of a new Church in mind, several caught the vision and pursued it. The Bible studies continued for about 8 weeks and culminated on August 10, 2002 when world renowned evangelist, Elder E.E. Cleveland, at the invitation of Pastor Everton A. Ennis, preached in a special Sabbath service held at the Whiteville High School Auditorium. The Mayor of Whiteville and several community guests were also present at this special service.
After the service and potluck, a "Parade for Jesus" commenced in the streets of Whiteville, with members of the Philadelphia SDA Church led by Pastor EA Ennis and his wife Ingrid, members of the recently chosen Whiteville SDA Mission Group, Council Cardinal Drum Corps, Pathfinders, Adventurers, and other supporters. Handbills were passed out for the upcoming “Dimensions of Praise” Revival which was held in the Brunswick-Waccamaw Baptist Association building on Pine Log Road, Whiteville.
On August 17, 2002, the “Dimensions of Praise” Revival began with the preaching of Pastor Everton A. Ennis, supported by members of the Philadelphia SDA Church. August 31st, 2002 saw the first official Sabbath Celebration for the new Church Plant of the Philadelphia SDA Church, now formally called the Praise Tabernacle SDA Mission.
On September 14, 2002, not only was there a baptism from the Dimensions of Praise Revival, but the official organization of the Praise Tabernacle SDA Mission Group was also officiated by Pastor Ennis.
October 19th, 2002 the Mission Group became the Praise Tabernacle SDA Company, officiated by Elder Vanard J. Mendinghall, President of South Atlantic Conference of SDA, in a special Sabbath service held at the Brunswick-Waccamaw Baptist Association Building.
November 8, 2003, then 92 year old Modrey Dennison, led the group by seniority, as she was voted one of the first official members of the Praise Tabernacle of Seventh-day Adventist Church in Whiteville, North Carolina. The new Church was commissioned by Elder Linwood Stone, the South Atlantic Conference Treasurer, to "not waiver because God is on your side and they that are with you are more than they that are against you." Eleven new members had been baptized the week before and were added to the membership of the new Church. The Praise Tabernacle Church was now worshipping in our current host Church, Whiteville SDA, located at 1002 N. Franklin Street.
On May 2, 2004, "The King Is Coming" Crusade led by the Biblically-based preaching of our Pastor, Everton A Ennis started in earnest in a Whiteville vacant lot located in the middle of town. All members of the Praise Tabernacle congregation supported the month-long revival. Large loud-speakers were setup on the periphery of the large green and white tent and would-be buyers at the flea market held on two of the Sabbaths listened to the Truth. Others reported hearing the meetings from their porches across town. Sixteen more souls were baptized on May 22, 2004 .
August 2, 2004, Praise Tabernacle members went before the Zoning and Planning Board at Whiteville City Hall to get permission for a conditional use permit. This was the first step toward being able purchase a thirteen acre tract of land, located at 3710 James B. White Hwy. South (US 701 S.) to build a School and Church near Whiteville's new Super Wal-Mart. The official vote was set for August 24, 2004.
On August 24, 2004, Praise Tabernacle members, as well as members from our Host church, Whiteville SDA, again went before the Zoning and Planning Board at Whiteville City Hall and it was voted unanimously to approve the conditional use permit; however, since not all of the opposing residents were present, a new date of Sept. 14, 2004 was set. September 14th, 2002, coincidentally or not, had been the official organization date of the Praise Tabernacle Mission Group. Much prayer was done and finally on Sept. 14, 2004 , after the third appearance before the Zoning and Planning Board, a successful vote in our favor was taken. It is interesting to note that the Mayor of Whiteville officiated at this Board meeting, and she had been present at the special service held at the Whiteville High School two years before when Elder E. E. Cleveland spoke about "God, in the Meanwhile."
Since that September date, in the meanwhile, the South Atlantic Conference of Seventh-day Adventists approved the formal plans for our building project, and the foundation was poured in May 2005. As of this writing, walls are rapidly going up on the 13,000 sq. ft. multipurpose school, church and gymnatorium complex! Completion is expected by the end of October 2005! And God's people march on.
PRAISE GOD AGAIN FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW. |
Welcome to Praise Tabernacle, a Seventh-day Adventist congregation in Whiteville, NC. Our church started under the leadership of Pastor EA Ennis in the summer of 2002. We love the Lord, and our church family is just what you need -- true Christian fellowship, Bible based teaching and preaching, a sweet blend of contemporary and traditional worship, and lots of young people and youth activities.