History of Trinity Community Church

 

The church planting journey began on the evening of January 26, 1989, when a small group of believers in Christ Jesus met in the basement of the home of Willie and Alma Woodmore to pray. Approximately 20 people (including adults and children) attended that prayer meeting.  That evening proved to be a great experience of supplication, intercession, and thanksgiving before God the Father.  The following week (on the evening of February 2) a second prayer meeting was held in the basement of the Woodmore home.  That evening proved to be as great a blessing as the one on the previous week.  It became readily apparent also that because of the size of the group, more suitable accommodations for meeting would have to be found.

 

On Sunday morning, February 5, 1989, that same group of believers held their first worship service together.  This worship service was led by Willie Woodmore and Verdun Woods (who had worked together in a previous pastorate) and was held in the Lay Renewal building in the Brentwood area.  Great joy and excitement came forth from that worship service.  Pastor Woods was preaching through a series of messages during the initial gatherings of the flock for worship.

 

On the morning of February 11, Willie Woodmore met with Verdun Woods at his home to discuss convictions regarding ministry and the future of this church that the Lord Himself was forming.  Both men agreed that God was calling them to function in the pastoral role in this new church (Willie Woodmore as Senior Pastor and Verdun as Pastor of Education).  They also discussed the method by which people would become members of the church, and it was agreed that a personal interview with each candidate would be conducted and a clear understanding of the doctrines of the church would be communicated. Additionally it was agreed that God had given a name for the church from John 15 – Abiding Branch Community Church (ABCC).

 

The following morning, February 12, the second worship service was held at the Lay Renewal building.  At this worship service, the founding of the new church was officially announced.  Great joy and excitement still filled the hearts of all those attending (approximately 50 people, including children).  It also was becoming apparent that again more suitable accommodations would be required to meet the needs of the church family.

 

On February 26, the church assembled for morning worship at the Olivette Community Center and the accommodations were quite acceptable.  The church continued to meet at the Olivette Community Center through April 2, 1989.  During this time many people were also being interviewed who desired membership.

 

On Thursday, March 2, Willie Woodmore met with Attorney Norm Steimel about incorporation of the church.  After filing the necessary incorporation application, the state of Missouri granted the approval.

 

Because of some limitations at the Olivette Community Center that were inhibiting fellowship, a search committee was formed to look for another meeting location.  Members of that initial committee were:  Morris Atkinson, Verdun Woods, Randy Partee, Ann White, and Joseph Traylor.  After much prayer, the decision was made to change our meeting location to the Engineers Club of St. Louis (4359 Lindell Blvd.) and on Sunday morning, April 9, 1989, the church assembled there for the first time.

 

During this time, ministries were being developed.  Pastor Woodmore had begun training with those interested in the music ministry to reach agreement on music that would glorify God and edify His people.  Pastors Woodmore and Woods met with an Elder at Central Presbyterian Church to discuss the Growth Group ministry.

 

On the evening of April 10, at the Engineers Club, the first seven members shared their testimonies and were received as members of the church.  Included in this number were:  Leonard Lawson, Lisa Roberts, Myron Roberts, Darryl Williams, Linda Williams, Curtis Palmer, and Morris Atkinson.  On the afternoon of April 29, another eight members shared their testimonies and were received as members.  Included in this number were:  Angeline Yarbrough, Michael Yarbrough, Joseph Traylor, Nancy Traylor, Alexis Traylor, Philip Woodmore, and Bernardine Douglas.  And the Lord continued to add to the Abiding Branch family.

 

On Sunday, May 28, the church selected the first three candidates for deacons.  They were:  Joseph Traylor, Michael Yarbrough, and Darryl Williams.  The following week Pastor Woodmore interviewed the three candidates and they accepted their nominations to be tested for a period of time until a decision could be reached about their ordination.

 

This time period began a season of testing for the ABCC congregation.  Some were being tested at home in the family, others with the loss of employment, and many other trails did the membership endure as the members began to learn the value of trails in the life of a Christian.  God was bringing some hard truths to this little flock and individuals were learning to obey Him, even when they did not understand.  God was revealing strongholds and faults in people in a way that none had experienced before.

 

On July 22, the first Leadership Conference was held at the Stouffer’s Concourse Hotel for the current leaders at ABCC.  In attendance were:  Willie Woodmore (Senior Pastor) and his wife Alma, Verdun Woods (Pastor of Education) and his wife Vanessa, Myron Roberts (Evangelism) and his wife Lisa, Joseph Traylor (Deacon Candidate) and his wife Nancy, Darryl Williams (Deacon Candidate) and his wife Linda, Michael Yarbrough (Deacon Candidate) and his wife Angeline, and Leonard Lawson (Director of Music) and his wife Sharon.  This meeting proved to be very profitable in addressing problems and direction for the future of the church.

 

God continued to work in the hearts of His people and add to the church.  Many members needed to obey the Lord in baptism and God made provisions through fellowship with other churches.  God in previous years had established a loving friendship between Willie Woodmore, Peter McCreary and Richard Rollins – all three were now involved in the pastorate at different churches.  New Hope Baptist (where P. McCreary was pastor) and First Missionary Baptist Church of Ballwin (where R. Rollins was pastor) graciously opened their doors for use of their facilities.

 

On Sunday, September 3, ABCC held their first worship service in the park (Charles Forrester Park).  Sharon Lawson coordinated this event and it proved to be a great success and meaningful to all who attended.

 

On Sunday, September 17, a business meeting was held immediately following worship service and the first church budget was approved for the remainder of the year (1989).

 

On Wednesday evening, October 4, the first Growth Group meeting was held at the Woodmore home to officially introduce Growth Groups to the congregation.  This has proven to be a most effective means of ministering to many of the needs of the body on a very personal level.

 

The season of testing continued on, well into the year 1990, as God continued to purify His little flock through many trials.  The church really began to see the value of discipline for the health of the congregation.  Church discipline was exercised among the membership and a clear measure of maturity was evident as a result of this area of obedience.

 

The prayers of many were answered in late 1990 as the membership began to function as a body – caring, loving, fellowshipping and serving one another in a manner that honors God.  The first deacons were ordained in August of 1990:  Joseph Traylor, Darryl Williams, and Michael Yarbrough.  God continued to add to the church as the congregation obeyed Him.  However, it became apparent around mid-1992 that a building was needed in order to function more effectively as a church to meet the needs of the congregation.  An attempt was even made to purchase the Engineers Club, but it was not available for sale.

 

For the next few months, the ABCC congregation prayed and began a search for a building that would adequately meet their needs.  God answered their prayers in early December 1992, when one of the members discovered a small building for sale at 2127 California Avenue.  Leaders were under convictions from God to stay out of debt and therefore were only interested in properties for which they could pay cash, and God provided such a property.  The building was purchased on December 31, 1992 and the first worship service was held in that facility on the following Sunday – January 3, 1993.

 

This began a new aspect in the journey toward maturity for the Abiding Branch congregation.  Before moving into the building, the congregation was warned to expect problems with people in the community disturbing worship services, crime, etc.   However, the church was confident that the Lord was leading us and did not waiver or shrink back in unbelief.

 

The first obstacle facing the ABCC congregation was overcoming the stereotype that the community had formed of the previous occupants of the building (Jehovah Witnesses), who had been functioning in this community for over 40 years.  The first couple of years there was really spent simply building integrity and trust in the community.

 

Several people from the community visited the church during worship services and prayer meetings, but the Holy Spirit had not worked in their hearts to join the membership.  Therefore, the church continued to pray and remain faithful to the essentials of the faith and the simple ministry of the gospel that the Lord had assigned to our hands.  Amazingly after 5 years (in the latter part of 1998), we could finally see that God sent us into this community not so much to change the community, but rather for the change that He was bringing about in us as a congregation.

 

It was in this community that we learned to trust God as adults and children were exposed to crime, drugs, gun shots and other dangers during prayer meetings and worship services.  It was in this community that we learned to trust God as thieves broke into our vehicles while we worshiped our God.  It was in this community that we learned to forgive those who broke out our new security lights, stole our new shrubs, stole electricity from us, wrote graffiti on our newly painted walls, started a fire in our building, and misused our parking lot.

 

It was while we were in this community that we learned to face disappointment with a outdoor tent worship service over a weekend where no one from the community attended.  We learned to be content with no hot water, no classroom space, no office space, no kitchen facilities and no baptistery.  The leaders learned to be content with prayer in the utility/furnace room.  We learned to handle the hurt of our first church split that occurred in the summer of 1993.  It was while we were in this community that we were comforted by God as we experienced the first deaths (as a congregation) of relatives and family members.  We also experienced the joys of many children being born to families and exceedingly great joy for the souls that were born again while we were in this community.

 

Bradford Bryant and Kai Warner were ordained as pastors in early 1993.  Moreover in January 1995, Jerome Webber was ordained as a deacon.  How we thank God for His infinite wisdom in planting the Abiding Branch congregation at 2127 California for a season of maturity.

 

In January 1999, the Lord unfolded another aspect of His plan when the entire congregation of Abiding Branch began to fellowship and worship with the congregation of New Hope because of some serious water damage to the building on California.  After three months of being together, it became obvious that God was leading the two fellowships to become one – even as He had made Peter McCreary and Willie Woodmore one in heart many years prior to them serving in the pastorate.  The pastors and deacons from both congregations agreed to sell the property on California because the facility on Edmundson more that adequately met all our needs.

 

The two congregations were officially joined together as one church worshiping and serving the Lord together on October 31, 1999.  The new church would retain the name “New Hope Baptist Church” and would use the emblem of the old Abiding Branch Community Church to signify this great union.  It has been nothing short of miraculous to observe the unity of heart and spirit among the congregation as leaders and members are learning to function in harmony for the glory of God and for the edifying of the church.

 

The New Hope Baptist Church of the new millennium concerned itself with the community outreach pledge that it had made with the previous owners of the building.  Among the first outreach efforts was the establishment of a Food Pantry in 1999 to serve the surrounding community in need.  After the Food Pantry was soundly operating, a Clothing Exchange outreach was also established.

Our doors are open to the community to come in and get needed clothing on the third Saturday of each month.  During the Christmas holiday season, we add toys to the exchange, further spreading the love God has given us for the Edmundson community, as well as the municipalities that surround it.  We began prison visits in 2002.  In August, 2003 when the young men were released from prison, we started assisting these ex-offenders with reclamation in life (spiritual counseling, basic needs, employment, etc.).  Also in 2002, Dr. Joshua Ibyeenegh from Nigeria, came to worship with us, then being a student at Covenant Theological Seminary where he had met Pastor Willie Woodmore.  He blessed us with hymn interpretations in his native tongue, the most notable one being, “There’s not a Friend like the Lowly Jesus”.  He stayed with us for approximately two years working side by side with us here at New Hope while overseeing the school he founded at home in Nigeria.  Although our dear brother and friend went home to be with the Lord in 2007, we are proud supporters of his school, “The Covenant Model School”.

In the Summer of 2003, God blessed us to begin our Summer Bible School (SBS).  To date, we have had approximately 500 participants.  Many of the youth from the community still take advantage of the various outreach efforts here at New Hope including SBS, Young Men’s Fellowship and our Wednesday Youth Outreach Ministry where bible study, recreational activities and arts & crafts classes are held.  Besides these outreach efforts to our youth, we have very active Men and Women’s Fellowships.  Last but not least, our annual family and friends picnic was changed in June of 2006 to a Community Outreach Picnic in 2007 and includes the communities of Edmundson, Woodson Terrace, Overland and St. Ann.  It has become a major outreach effort for us, serving over 200 people in June, 2007.

During the first half of the first decade of the new millennium, the congregation participated in several “shoe box” outreach efforts.  We sent needed personal and school supplies to foreign missions.  In 2005, we established our nursing home outreach and we prepared “shoe boxes” for the residents at Heritage Care Nursing Home who have little or no family.  This ministry continues to thrive and we have made several “friends” there who are bed-ridden who have few to no visitors except for us.  In 2006 we decided, through our support of the Voice of the Martyrs ministry, to fill several “action packs” for those in need in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  We have a concentrated effort now, through the Intercessory Ministry, to pray for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted all over the world while continuing to support the Voice of the Martyrs ministry.  Lastly, in our continuing commitment to support our young people in worthwhile opportunities for ministry, we assisted our Sister Lydia Bryant on her first missionary journey.  She, along with students and faculty from Missouri Baptist College, took a missionary journey to Ariceibo, Puerto Rico in 2007.  Not only did our congregation rally behind her financially, while Lydia was in Puerto Rico we purposed to cover her in prayer 24 hours a day until her return.  Per Lydia’s testimony regarding the trip, she told us that she felt the prayers of the Saints because even during times of great unrest where they were working, she had great peace.

The New Hope Baptist Church of the millennium (the union of the two separate congregations) by some accounts, met its first real challenge of being “equally yoked” in 2005.   Issues arose that caused our actions to be displayed along old congregational lines.  During this time some saw these issues as the Lord’s way of strengthening the union between the two groups.  The things we’ve learned from these challenges are the very things that are moving us forward today.  God let us know that HE is to be our choice and not old congregational lines or people.  Most of us got the message and we still pray for those that are no longer with us and have not learned how to forgive as we are taught by Jesus Christ.

The Lord has and is blessing the youth of New Hope.  He has answered our prayers for the safety of our young people, no matter where their life choices have taken them.   Beginning in January of 2008 our prayers for our young people became focused on their salvation and commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  A special prayer list called, “Logan’s List”, was developed to remind us to pray for our young people—that “God would raise up the future leaders of New Hope” and preserve the work that He has ordained here in the City of Edmundson, MO.

In the fall of 2010, Willie Woodmore began to sense the call of God to plant a new church in the O’ Fallon, Missouri area where there was a lack of churches that hold to reformed beliefs and practices.  On the evening of November 23, 2010, a small group of believers in Jesus Christ met in the basement of Willie and Alma Woodmore’s home to begin planning for a new church.  Willie Woodmore believed strongly that the Lord was calling him to organize this new work and therefore led the group in the planning effort.  In attendance at that first meeting were Willie and Alma Woodmore, Philip Woodmore, Ernest and Carol Whittier, Billy and Audrey McCulley, John and Shelia Taylor, Alan and Vernice Hibbler, Elise Oates and Marilyn Thompson.  Debbie and Dionna Jones participated in the meeting by telephone on a conference call.

In this first meeting and in the two planning meetings that followed, the group discussed the biblical perspective, priorities and practical needs of this new ministry.  Each participant was fully convinced that God was at work in all things for His people and that He would supply all the needs of this ministry.  This ministry was starting with no financial support from any outside source, but God began to reveal that many of our basic needs had already been provided through the members of this small group.

It was agreed that whenever God provides a meeting location for the church, that particular building or facility would serve as a central base of operation for the ministry.  However the homes of church members are also to be used in particular ways as a base for ministry to the respective communities in which each member lives.  Ministry in the homes will provide opportunities for small group bible study, prayer, fellowship, evangelism and other aspects of Christian worship.  Ministry in the homes also allows church members to meet the practical needs of extended family members, friends and neighbors with the necessities of life (food, clothing & shelter).  Therefore ministry in the homes allows each church member to extend the offer and influence of the gospel in their own neighborhoods and communities.

It was agreed that this church would work hard to maintain balance with no exaggerated emphasis on such matters as evangelism, style of worship, eschatology, spiritual gifts, race, class or doctrine.  God expects us to love our neighbor whoever he or she may be, even our enemies (1Co. 9:19-23).  This desire to maintain balance in our spiritual lives along with the truth of 2 Corinthians 13:14 was the inspiration for the name of the church – “Trinity Community Church”.  Specifically the desire is to honor our heavenly Father through the Son and by the power of the Holy Spirit with grace, love and fellowship from our God!  Also motivated by the command of Christ in Matthew 28:19-20, it was agreed that we would obey this mandate of Christ such that the goal and mission of our church (individually and corporately) is to “Make Disciples”.  This goal then of making disciples would guide all ministry efforts so that balance in ministry can be maintained and the focus in ministry would not be lost.

At the third planning meeting on December 7, many of the details of our first worship service were address including the biblical teaching for all the activities in our order of service.  The final details were addressed in our meeting on December 14 and the first worship service was scheduled for December 19, 2010.  Philip Woodmore had offered his classroom as a temporary location for us to worship together and God graciously worked out all the details so that we held our first worship service at Crestview Middle School on the morning of December 19.  Because Philip is a music teacher and choir director at Crestview, all of the necessary audio and video equipment was provided – Hallelujah!

The first worship service at Crestview Middle School (CMS) was filled with joy and thanksgiving to our great God who had been faithful in every way to His people.  The following Sunday (December 26) worship service at CMS was cancelled due to snow & ice, therefore worship service was held at the Woodmores’ home.  During that worship service, the first members to officially join Trinity Community Church (TCC) were:   Willie Woodmore, Alma Woodmore, Dionna Jones and Eric Jones, Jr.  The following week at CMS, John and Shelia Taylor officially joined TCC and the first communion was served to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Worship services continued to be held at CMS until May 22, 2011.  During this time church meetings were held in members’ homes, the functional structure of the church was materializing, members were joining and God was sincerely blessing.  While meeting at the Hibblers’ home on January 30, Alan Hibbler, Vernice Hibbler, Billy McCulley and Audrey McCulley officially joined TCC.  Later while meeting at the Whittiers’ home on March 6, Elise Oates, Ernest Whittier, Carol Whittier, Theresa Arnold and Vera Walker officially joined TCC.  Then on April 3 at the McCulleys’ home Marilyn Thompson officially joined TCC during a meeting.  A few months later at the Hibblers’ home, Virginia Cane officially joined the TCC family.  And the Lord continued His blessings on His little flock!

God miraculously worked out the details for TCC to worship at Dardenne Prairie City Hall the following Sunday (May 29, 2011) – all of the necessary audio and video equipment was provided.  Hallelujah Again!  Even though the original plans were to meet at Dardenne Prairie City Hall for only three weeks as we worked out details on leased property, worship services were held there until September 25, 2011.  During this time the 501 (c) (3) status was granted (i.e., official tax exemption status), a bank account was established, members continued to generously give financially to the church, and the church sincerely had a need for deacons.  Therefore after biblical teaching on the subject matter of the deacon, nominations by the church, examination and approval by Pastor Woodmore, Brother John Taylor accepted the call to be the first deacon for TCC.   His ordination was held on August 21, 2011 and it was most certainly a glorious occasion.

As the last Sunday for worship service at Dardenne Prairie approached, God miraculously worked out another location for the church to meet together – the Orchard Farm School Campus in St. Charles, MO.  And amazingly all the necessary audio and video equipment was provided – Hallelujah again and again!!!  The first worship service was held on the Orchard Farm School Campus on October 2, 2011 and the school graciously made accommodations for TCC for the next several months.

The first church anniversary for TCC was held on the afternoon of November 27, 2011 at Bethany-Peace Church.  Members from several local churches joined in the celebration along with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Choir under the direction of Philip Woodmore.  It was a wonderful time of remembrance and thankfulness to God for His goodness to us.

Now while TCC was meeting for worship in members’ homes and various locations in the St. Charles County area, a search was under way for a suitable long-term facility to serve as a base of operation for the church.  In the spring of 2011, a real estate agent showed the first property for lease to Willie and Alma Woodmore.  It was located on Executive Center Loop in St. Peters, MO.  The property was ideally located near I-370, easily accessible from I-70 and was clearly visible from I-70.  However neither the interior building space nor the exterior parking space was adequate to meet the church’s needs.  And the only other building at this ideal address that could meet all of the church’s need was presently occupied by a well-established business.  For the next several months, many other properties were researched and viewed as possibilities to meet the church’s needs – both properties for lease and sale.  Ernest Whittier helped in the search for properties with a wealth of wisdom along with Alan Hibbler and John Taylor who assisted with their expertise also.  However, God did not work out the details for lease or purchase of any property under consideration.

After months of searching for a building and nearing the end of our time to hold meetings at the Orchard Farm School Campus, Willie Woodmore noticed a lease sign on the ideal property located at Executive Center Loop while driving along I-70 one afternoon.  Ironically a year after looking at this ideal property that appeared to be completely out of consideration, God had miraculously brought us back to the very first property and made it available for our use.  With Ernest Whittier taking the lead, all of the details of the lease were worked out and some minor carpentry work was done inside the building.  After the interior walls were painted, floors cleaned and a group of faithful women gave the building a glorious cleaning, TCC held the first worship service at 4212 Executive Center Loop on May 27, 2012.

With grateful hearts for a stable meeting location, members began acclimating themselves to the new schedules and opportunities for ministry.  God graciously began to send some guests to visit during times of worship, bible study and other church activities.  And God has added members to our little flock as it has pleased Him – Brenda Abernathy, Philip Woodmore, Daren Jones, Kalane Johnson, Daniel Woodmore, Anthony Anderson, Kiara Webber, Lathaniel Johnson and Tina Johnson.  Established ministries are functioning and new ones are arising:  Diaconate (John Taylor), Teachers (Ernest Whittier, Shelia Taylor, Carol Whittier, Elise Oates, Billy McCulley, Alma Woodmore), Women’s Fellowship (Alma Woodmore & Shelia Taylor), Men’s Fellowship (Alan Hibbler), Ushers (John Taylor, Vera Oates, Marilyn Thompson, Kalane Johnson), Music Director (Philip Woodmore), Communications (Daniel Woodmore), Newsletters (Virginia Cane), Official Acknowledgements (Theresa Arnold), Food Pantry (Taylors) and Birthday Celebrations (Vernice Hibbler).  God has also blessed us with faithful & joyful children – leading the way is Alan Hibbler, Jr., Jordan Hibbler, Ronald Washington III, Donyell Kress, Trinity Arnold, Ter Juan Hayes, J Juan Hayes, and Angel Brown.  So with faith, hope and love TCC proceeds to fulfill the mission of Making Disciples to which God has called us – To God be the glory, great things He has done!