Published: November 21, 2008 03:39 pm      

CrossLand Stilesville Baptist focuses on keeping church simple

STILESVILLE — Many people will say that being a Christian isn’t simple.

But Dr. Steve Pierce, pastor of CrossLand Stilesville Baptist Church, thinks it should be. Pierce says he and his congregation of 70 have discovered in the past 18 months that God is calling believers to a new and simpler Christian life.

Pierce moved from South America to North Carolina nine years ago to become the pastor of a church there. Two years ago, he came to Indiana to become the pastor of another church. A small group of about 16 people needed the security of a church family. Pierce decided to spearhead their newly formed church, then called CrossLand Baptist Church, by meeting in a home. The congregation grew and began searching for a larger location.

Elite Dance and Cheer Academy on U.S. 40 offered the use of its building, and the idea of having a “simple” church went into action.

Just a year later, the church had outgrown that space and once again began looking for a larger facility. Pierce says they found that cheap buildings are hard to come by, renting is expensive, and there aren’t many suitable premises.

“All the time it seemed like God was bringing us closer to the little town of Stilesville,” Pierce said. “We were approached by some members of the Stilesville Baptist Church, in the middle of town, and they offered us the use of their facility after their own service finished. God gave us the green light and we began to hold services there.”

Pierce said God was not only providing a place for them to worship, but also a new lease on life for a small struggling church. The two churches joined and the CrossLand Stilesville Baptist Church was created in April. They currently have about 70 people in their congregation.

“People are traveling from areas in Indianapolis and from all over,” Pierce said. “There must be something here that is bringing people from great distances.”

He said people are drawn to the church because of its focus on keeping things simple.

“Keep it simple and then God will send people to the church,” he said. “It’s a miracle. I never imagined that this would have been possible. (Our church) was something that God has done for us.”

Pierce became a U.S. citizen in July.

“I love America,” he said in his thick South American accent. “I am now officially a Hoosier. I am amazed to see what God will do for us next.”

For more information on the church, visit the website at http://crosslandbaptist.org/.

andrea.hirsch@flyergroup.com