Saturday, October 24, 2009
Spirit of Life Church International
A series of profiles that run on the fourth Saturday of each month. Please submit your suggestions for congregations, large or small, that you would like to know more about, or recommend yours.
Spirit of Life Church International worshippers celebrate during the opening song on Sunday morning. The Northeast Roanoke congregation owns the strip mall where the church is located. JARED SOARES The Roanoke Times
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3428 Plantation Road N.E., Roanoke 362-4900 Eilmsolci@aol.com
About the staff Pastor: David Forbes Assistant Pastor: Barbara Thomas Church administrator: Frank Penn Project administrator: Lynelle Hanley Executive assistant: Tracy Claytor Pastoral Care Administrator: Niki Payne Facility Manager: Holly Holland Members: 735
Church history Founded March 1995 by the late Bishop Antonio Thomas, the church held Sunday services at William Ruffner Middle School and Wednesday night Bible studies at Lucy Addison Middle School. In October 1995, services moved to 1806 Loudon Ave. In December 1998, the church purchased the shopping center formerly called Whiteside Shopping Center and renamed it Spirit of Life Plaza. After Thomas died in November 2004, David Forbes, pastor and founder of Columbus Christian Center in Columbus, Ohio, accepted the position of pastor. He commutes between the two cities.
Service times: Sunday worship 10 a.m.
Physical description The church is nestled in a brick strip mall that it shares it with its tenants, Manpower and Dollar General.
Personality of the congregation Church leaders describe the congregation as operating in the spirit of excellence exhibiting high praise and passionate worship. Its mission is simply to love God, love others and have an impact on the world. There is a blend of young, middle-aged and senior members as well as a mix of cultures. There's also an excitement about praising God and community outreach.
Pastor's favorite Scripture passage Psalm 1:1-6. "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." (Verse 6)
