Several

hundred people, known locally as that "band of

gypsies," made the mile trek from their former

church home, known as Water's Chapel, to their new

facility, known as Harp's Crossing Baptist Church.

The year

was 1987 and this 19-year-old congregation now numbers

1,900 members.

The Rev. J.

Dennis Watson has led this church since its inception in

1981 and he sees that the church's mission statement,

"Love God and lead others to love Him too," is

constantly in motion.

Mission

groups have served in Asia for several years, some of

them staying for several weeks and others staying for two

years at a time. While they are not permitted to

"set up a church," they build relationships

from teaching English to just being a friend. However,

after this friendship is accepted, individuals will ask

why the church members have come to China, and they are

able to put a foot in the door.

There is a

group from the church in China now, and several more

groups will make the trip throughout the rest of the

year.

Student

members are not to be outdone in mission service, and

about 20 of them will be traveling to London this summer.

They will be working with refugees that have various

language backgrounds. Again, relationship building will

be going on as well as playing Vacation Bible School-type

games.

Seven years

ago Harp's Crossing started a new church in Logan, W.

Va., making several trips to the area each year since.

The church has about 75 members and one of Harp's

Crossing's members, a recent graduate of Sanford, has

headed that way and will serve the church for two years.

Like most

churches in Fayette County, this one is bursting at the

walls. Next year the members expect to begin construction

on a new worship center that will seat 1,250 members.

The

original worship center, the one they went into in 1987,

is now the pre-school; the current one will become the

fellowship hall and should seat about 300 at a seated

dinner.

The church

is at 1183 Ga. Highway 92 south and can be reached at

770-461-5318.