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 inside 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 leader of the church from October 1983 through February of 1986.

The very next month, First Union 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 was able to hold 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, the 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, and this process was done as a measure to promote hard work and stewardship amongst the youth in the church.

During this time, First Union Springs went without its own building to congregate in Union Springs, so the church members congregated at the Housing Authority Complex Office. After meeting there for a while, the members met at the Ambassador for Christ Church. Then, church was held in a home that had been renovated on Main Street. Eventually, a church building was purchased that was located a few blocks down the street from the home where church was being held. Because of this feat, the church held a celebration that lasted an entire week from March the 18^th through the 24^th 2000. To start the commemoration, service was held in the renovated home then transitioned to the new church building by the church members walking from one location to the other singing, “We 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, so he was unable to carry out his pastoral duties for the church. Due to this issue, Elder Sergeant Sims (Novella) stepped in to assist. As time progressed, Elder Powell’s health declined, and he passed in September 2000. Because of Pastor Powell’s death, 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. While Elder Sims served as pastor, the church was introduced to incorporating technology into 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 with a pandemic. Due to government regulations to restrict the further spread of coronavirus, many businesses, churches, and other organizations were mandated to close their doors. Because of this order, First Union Springs stopped in-person service in March of 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 of 2020, then Pastor Deshon Juzang (Mica) from October of 2020 until January of 2021.

Later, in February of the same year, 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.  Today, he 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.