First Union Springs SDA Church

History of First Union Springs Seventh-Day Adventist Church

 

Recollection of events by Lillie P. Johnson and Elder Dorothy Jones

Published April 2023

 

In 1981, Bill Arrington, Clyde and Bernice Duncan of Troy, Alabama, along with Mike Echemendia and his family of Banks, Alabama, started a branch Sabbath School in the home of Ms. Jessie Culpepper within the city limits of Union Springs. Then in 1983, First Union Springs Seventh-Day Adventist Church was officially established in Union Springs, AL under the leadership of Pastor Michael R. Ross along with the assistance of charter members Dorothy Shell Jordan, Willie Jordan, Louise Harris, Mary Lewis, Mary A. Raybon, Shirley Scott, Diane Bufford, and Lillie P. Johnson. On April 29, 1984, in Huntsville, AL, First Union Springs became an official church of the South-Central Conference. During this time, Pastor Ross served as the leader of the church from October 1983 through February 1986.

 The very next month, First Union Springs had the privilege of being led by Elder George Russell Seay (Tara) until July of the same year. Then, Pastor Jessie Wilson (Sherry) served the church till October of 1989, and afterwards, in November, Elder Alfred Hill (Cathy) became the pastor. He led the church until he was given a new commission in the Greenwood and Indianola, Mississippi district in July of 1995. Then, Pastor Garfield Powell (Cynthia) was assigned to First Union Springs.

 Under the guidance of Pastor Powell, First Union Springs held its first Youth Federation program at the Bullock County High School’s gymnasium on February 7, 1997. Cathy Maddox, local Pathfinder director, and Pastor Lorenzo Shepherd, South Central Conference Assistant Youth Director, hosted and administered the event. During this program, several members of the church were recognized for their community service with pins and certificates as Pathfinder Master Guides. Additionally, accolades were given to young adults who attended the program. This process was done as a measure to promote hard work and stewardship amongst the youth in the church.

 During this time, the members were without a physical place to worship. They worshipped at the Housing Authority Complex. After meeting there for a while, they began to meet at the Ambassador for Christ Church. Then services were held in a home that had been renovated on Main Street. Eventually, a church building was purchased a few blocks from Main Street. Because of this accomplishment, First Union Springs held a celebration that lasted an entire week from March 18^th through the 24^th, 2000. To start the commemoration, a service was held in the renovated house, then transitioned to the new church building with members walking from one location to the other, singing, “We’ve Come This Far by Faith.” Additionally, the week consisted of former pastors preaching at the new church.

 Two years later, Pastor Powell began to have health problems, which caused him to be unable to carry out his pastoral duties. Due to this issue, Elder Sergeant Sims (Novella) stepped in to assist. As time progressed, Elder Powell’s health declined, and he died in September 2000. After the death of Pastor Powell, Elder Sergeant Sims became the church’s official pastor. Under Pastor Sims' guidance, First Union Springs became a new district by joining with First Tuskegee SDA Church in Tuskegee, AL, and Christ Is the Answer SDA Church in Hurtsboro, AL. Under Elder Sims' leadership, the church started utilizing technology in its worship services. First Union Springs was led by Pastor Sims from 2000 until January 2013, when he and his wife were reassigned to Maranatha SDA Church in Montgomery, AL.

Once Pastor Sims was transferred, Elder Michael Mickens became the church’s new minister. Under Pastor Mickens’ tutelage, the church was able to pay off its mortgage in 2016. After this accomplishment, Pastor Mickens was reassigned to a congregation in Jackson, Mississippi. Once he relocated, Elder Samuel Jeuden became the pastor of First Union Springs. He relocated to Union Springs from Mississippi.

Shortly after, Pastor Jeuden took leadership, the country was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic. To prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, government regulations were followed, and the church closed its doors. First Union Springs stopped in-person services in March 2020. Thanks to technology, the church was able to continue its ministry online. During the same month, Pastor Jeuden was enlisted as a U.S. military chaplain and departed to pursue his military career. After his tenure, the church had the privilege of being briefly led by Pastor Kennedy Luckett (Veronica) from April to September 2020, then Pastor Deshon Juzang (Mica) pastored from October 2020 until January 2022.

In February 2022, Pastor Nathan E. Cook (Tonjia) became the pastor of First Union Springs. At that time, First Union Springs, Mt. Pisgah Worship Center in Troy, AL, and First Tuskegee SDA in Tuskegee, AL united to form a new district under the leadership of Pastor Cook and during that time in-person church services resumed.

 Today, Pastor Cook is dedicated to building upon the established legacy of the church by serving its congregation and community. First Union Springs Seventh-Day Adventist Church stands today as a beacon of light to the city of Union Springs, Alabama.