We Are the Church of Opportunity…
In November of 1993 the Lord spoke to then Sister Helen Rutherford; “Don’t let the sheep scatter.” To obey God, she prayerfully contacted Pastor Lula M. Williams and inquired as to how to move forward. She contacted the saints and they met in her basement for worship.
November 20, 1993. A meeting was held at 211 Grandview Avenue in Morganton NC, the Rutherford residence, to discuss the need to organize a new church which would be under the covering of The Christian Holiness Church of God. The meeting opened with prayer led by Overseer Lenole Brown.
Members expressed their desire to organize a church where all members come together, that follows Biblical principles, where everyone had a voice, where the body is led by the Holy Ghost with all gifts in operation and bold leadership, that gives tithes/offerings, at a location in town with easy access to all.
Everything being said, Overseer Brown instructed members on how to take care of a Pastor whenever one was appointed. He stated that all members should give tithes on a weekly basis, feed their spiritual leader, and include gas fare. A church name, St. Luke, was suggested by Sis. M. Avery and unanimously voted upon.
The founding members were as follows: Mother Willie Avery, Sis. Betty Happoldt, Bro. William Happoldt, Deacon Donald Taylor, Sr., Sis. Rachel Taylor, Sis. Margaret Ann Avery, Sis. Helen Rutherford and Evangelist Janet Rutherford.
Elder Janet Rutherford, Acting Pastor
Evangelist Janet Rutherford assumed the role of Acting Pastor until Pastor Dianne A. Brown was appointed by Bishop WO McCullough Sr. as Pastor.
Pastor Dianne Brown and her husband, Lenole Brown
The first official church service was held on November 21, 1993 at the Rutherford residence. The opening song was “Glory Glory Hallelujah! Since I Laid My Burden Down.” Each year there is one Sunday in the month of November set aside for an annual homecoming and anniversary service.
St. Luke Christian Holiness Church of God continued having worship services at the Rutherford residence until financially stable enough to relocate to other community locations. The Lord gave the church favor with the Morganton Housing Authority and they were blessed to meet in three of the MHA locations. The church later rented a small blue storefront until a permanent location was built in 1995.
It was during this time, while in service on Wrighton St., the Lord used Rev. Lula M Williams to Theme St. Luke, The Church of Opportunity. While she was walking on the grass to enter the building, the Lord said to her; “Get off the grass or take off your shoes, this is holy ground. This is The Church of Opportunity.” Certainly, the Lord was with us wherever we went and showed us great power.
In 1995, under the leadership of Pastor Brown, the Lord blessed the church to build its current place of worship, making St. Luke a stationed church in December of 1995.
Following Pastor Brown’s years of service, the Lord ordained that Assistant Pastor Helen Rutherford would be appointed as the next leader of The Church of Opportunity.
Elder Helen Rutherford and her husband Richard Rutherford
Pastor Rutherford’s focus on unity and loving one another richly blessed the church and still does at this present time. Through her leadership the Church was able to purchase three acres of land connected to its property and look to further expand on the house of God! We all hold her mottoes in our hearts “Little is much when God is in it.”, “No big I(s) and little you(s)”, “It’s a mighty poor frog that won’t praise his own pond”, “The chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”, and “Have a prayer life and read at least one scripture daily.” On September 8th, 2015, Elder Helen Rutherford took rest. May we work hard and keep the vision until we meet again.
Current pastor, Aaron S. Hooper
October 2005, Aaron S. Hooper was appointed Pastor over St. Luke Church of Opportunity and Bishop of the Western District of the Christian Holiness Church of God. With Elder Rutherford as his Assistant Pastor, Bishop Hooper and the church family grew together. The Lord has blessed the church to see growth spiritually, physically, and financially. Through team building and an unwavering commitment to teach, preach, and live the whole word of God, The Church of Opportunity continues to keep the vision. In 2012, God blessed the church to find favor with Mr. Fred Moses; St. Luke purchased from him five more acres of land for future expansion.
In 2010, St. Luke Church of Opportunity branched out to Marion, NC and established Living Stones Christian Holiness Church of God. The Church was themed The House of Praise! In 2012, Pastor Arell Rutherford was appointed to Living Stones as Pastor and Pastor Janet Rutherford as Assistant. We thank God for Living Stones; they are forever Sons and Daughters of the Church of Opportunity.
In 2016, St. Luke parted with the Christian Holiness Church of God. The decision was very difficult for leadership, but after prayer it was the will of God. Our love and respect for Apostle L. Brown and the saints will never end, and they are continually in our prayers.
In 2018, the Lord struck new fire in The Church of Opportunity concerning His Word. Bishop Hooper established Let’s Talk Bible, and God revealed himself through that setting. At one Wednesday night session Trustee Russell Corpening Sr. sent the question; “Why do we not observe the Holy Sabbath?” After much study and prayer, the church understood that the fourth commandment was just as Holy as the rest, and it is pleasing to the Father that we observe the Seventh Day Holy Sabbath.
In Bishop Hooper’s seeking, the Lord so allowed Elder George Isbell to share with him a Facebook link to Bible Way #2. There the Lord used Pastor Dr. Gladys McClary to confirm and provide detailed teaching on the Holy Sabbath and its observance among the saints.
From this the Lord formed a spiritual connect between The Church of Opportunity and Bible Way #2 Pillar and Ground of the Truth.
On July 7th, 2019 we held our first Sabbath service and continue to honor God’s Holy Sabbath. In doing so the Church has realized the rest Jesus gives and greater revelation of the desire and person of the Father. Glory be to God through His Son Christ Jesus!
As we expect God to continue to add to our church history, the words of Johnson Oatman Jr. resound in the heart; “I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I onward bound, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
We thank an all-wise and everlasting God for all he has enabled us to do. We thank him for the time that we have together and fellowship of his saints. It is our prayer that as our history and family grows the Lord stay the center of our joy and head of our life!
God’s past is our future. He has done great things!