Where we worship
A weekly series that profiles various places of worship in Columbia County
Rich Bowen is the pastor at New Hope Worship Center. He says the church has a strong drama ministry which it calls the Worship Arts Ministry.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
New Hope Worship Center
Address: 715 S. Old Belair Road
Telephone: 868-6410
Affiliation: Church of God
Services: Sunday worship service, 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Sunday School, 10 a.m.; Sunday evening worship service, 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday evening service, 7:30 p.m.
Senior Pastor: Rich Bowen
Congregation size: 1,200 adults, 300 children
Membership: Most who attend are from Columbia, Richmond, McDuffie and Aiken counties.
Founded: 1914
Known for: Bowen said the church is known most for its music ministry, youth ministry and senior-adult ministry.
Music: The church offers contemporary and traditional music and uses instruments including strings and brass. He said there also is a large sanctuary choir and praise team.
"We also have a strong drama ministry we refer to as Worship Arts Ministry," he said.
What would you say to someone who's thinking about giving your church a try? "We would encourage them to visit and to participate in a worship service, but also check out the small groups," he said. "There's a number of small-group ministries as well.''
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing the faithful today?
"The biggest issue facing (the church is) cultural relevance, because we are in a cultural revolution right now,, so we have to know how to relate to that and also know how to speak to it," Bowen said.