ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. -- A four-month-old congregation has merged with a 150-year-old church after low attendance jeopardized the future of the older church, according to a report in The News-Enterprise.
Attendance had dropped to about 40 at East Rhudes Creek Baptist Church, established in 1858, and threatened closure of its 400-seat sanctuary. Meanwhile, New Horizon Baptist Fellowship, established in January, was looking to build a church to accommodate its growing membership.
Senior pastors at the two churches got together and worked out details of the merger and expect more than 300 people will attend the first combined service on April 27, according to the news report.
The Rev. Steve Hill, Horizon's pastor, will become senior pastor of the combined church, while the Rev. Howard Miller of East Rhudes will become associate pastor.
With the merger behind them, both are looking forward to reaching out to the community for growth.
"We can't wait to get into the community and invite people to worship with us," Hill said.
Added Miller: "This is going to be a lighthouse for the community to come and worship the Holy Spirit."
The news report did not indicate what the merged church will be called.
