Abundant Life to celebrate 25th year

The church, which evolved from a home Bible study, has multiple ministries.

NEW WATERFORD — Abundant Life Fellowship, 46469 state Route 46, will celebrate its 25th anniversary Sunday.

The nondenominational church, led from its inception by the Rev. Donald Stevenson and his wife, Pauline, will mark the milestone in its service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Performances from a mass choir featuring current and former members will be directed by Mark Plegge, full-time minister of music.

Also during the service, several members of the congregation will share insights about the church’s beginnings and its growth through the years. Immediately after the service, a finger-foods luncheon will be served in the church fellowship hall. All members, former members and friends of the fellowship are welcome to attend.

Abundant Life evolved out of a home Bible study at the Hisey Road farmhouse of Keith and Linda Conkle. The small fellowship bought an abandoned auto body shop on Taylor Avenue and officially began services there in 1983. Conkle will be among the members speaking during Sunday’s service.

Experiencing steady growth, the church bought 25 acres adjacent to the Taylor Avenue property, and in 1993 broke ground for a new building. When that project was completed, the growth continued quickly, more than tripling in the first two years. Eventually, a second morning service was added, and the fellowship soon after began developing plans for a second building project.

That multimillion-dollar project, featuring a large sanctuary, fellowship hall/gymnasium, education wing and expanded parking lot, began in 2003, and the church began conducting services in its most recent facilities in May 2004.

Besides its regular Sunday morning service, the church offers services Sunday and Wednesday nights and various Bible studies, classes, prayer meetings, children’s ministries, youth meetings and home groups on Sunday mornings and various times throughout the week.

For more information, call the church office at (330) 457-7317.