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Multiply Church is a multi-site church based in Concord, North Carolina. The Assemblies of God congregation has had five different names since its founding in 1958, most recently Concord First Assembly and cfa church. The main campus is located at U.S. 29, Warren C. Coleman Boulevard and Cabarrus Avenue. As of 2019 the church had about 5,000 members, with 3,000 attending each week at all locations..[1] The current pastor, the church's fourth, is Doug Witherup.[2]
History edit
The church began in 1958 in a movie theater downtown. Its third and current main location was donated by Charles Albert Cannon[1] and the building was dedicated in 1978.
Tom Whidden was the first senior pastor, serving for 45 years, although he officially retired several years before he was replaced in 2003.[3] Rick Ross became the first elected senior pastor, with his first service held January 4, 2004. At the time, First Assembly had 1500 attending each Sunday, and Charlotte World said the church was the 30th largest in North Carolina. An 18,000-square-foot youth center called Youth@The Village opened in November 2003.[4]
The main location includes a school and a retirement community. The church also purchased a strip mall across Highway 29 in 2000.[1]
Other locations have been established in Salisbury, Charlotte, Mint Hill and Davidson.[1] A Harrisburg location is planned in January 2021.[2]
A satellite campus of Southeastern University is planned.[1]
With the church expanding into so many locations, the decision to change the name again came in December 2019. The name "Multiply Church", presented in February 2020, comes from Genesis 1:28.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e Langford, Andy (January 17, 2019). "Communities of faith: Concord First Assembly Church". Independent Tribune. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
{{cite news}}: no-break space character in|title=at position 12 (help) - ^ a b c Young, Victoria (September 14, 2020). "cfa Church changes name to Multiply Church with new unified look". Independent Tribune. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ Feeback, Beth Snead (November 4, 2003). "First Assembly Elects Senior Pastor". Independent Tribune.
- ^ Spikes, Maya (November 8, 2003). "New Shepherd in Town". Independent Tribune.
External links edit