Moore County is home to 95 churches. A study by Pew Research Center found that over 75% of North Carolinians considered religion very important, and over 40% attend religious services weekly. And while it is true that the term church has been associated with Christian Church, houses of worship in Moore County cover a broad spectrum with most of the world’s major religions represented.
This is the first in a new series looking at places of worship in Moore County, their mission, vision, and how they help make Moore County the wonderful place it is to live, work, and raise a family.
Today, Sandhills Sentinel is looking at New Covenant Fellowship in Carthage.
New Covenant Fellowship is a non-denominational church that averages between 500 and 600 attendees each Sunday, with a staff of seven. Additionally, they run a K-2 school with approximately 20 students. The church is located on Hulsey Road on a multi-building campus that has a very futuristic appearance.
The church was founded in 2001 and for the first few years met on Pinehurst Ave. in Southern Pines. They moved to their current location in 2005. According to Lead Pastor Lee McKinney, NCF’s benevolence ministry is a significant part of the church’s outreach. They work closely with the schools and the Department of Social Services for referrals.
Those outreaches include a Pastors’ Pantry, which provides food to those in need, a yearly health fair where doctors provide free school checkups and distribute backpacks filled with school supplies. They also run free yard sales geared for people with a specific need. They take part in Operation Christmas Blessing and take over the local Meals on Wheels the day before Thanksgiving. This is in addition to numerous overseas missions in such diverse locations as Brazil and Kenya. The church has established a goal that at least 10% of the money that comes in is directed toward outreach. Most years it from 14% to 25%.
McKinney recounted the story of a high school senior who had been abandoned by his family as one of their outreach programs. A school counselor contacted the church, and the church arranged to pay all his school fees. This ties in with the purpose of the church to help, hope, and love.
The church has two Sunday services at 9 and 11 am, as well as a Wednesday night Bible Study.
You can learn more about the church by visiting their website.
Courtesy Photo: Outreach team leaving on Kenya Mission Trip.
~Article by Local News/Government Reporter Chris Prentice.
Contact him at [email protected] or (910) 639-9303.
