This weekend Colonial Baptist Church celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary of ministry. That’s quite a milestone—one worth some moments of reflection, along with the celebration.

For those who have never heard the story, here it is in a nutshell. In 1986, as Pastor Stephen Davey was nearing graduation from Dallas Theological Seminary, big things were being set in motion for the Davey family. Stephen and Marsha were expecting twins and Stephen was praying and considering where God was leading him to begin his ministry. Along the way he heard a challenge: “Don’t pray for a church; pray for a city!” About the same time, a fellow student shared some brochures and other material on the city of Raleigh. Stephen and Marsha sensed the Lord leading them toward North Carolina—neither knew much about the state except that it was close to their families.

Then Pastor Davey was approached by a small church plant in North Raleigh. Although the opportunity looked promising, the church did not offer him a position. A bit dismayed, the Daveys considered what they would do next: should they look for another church, or did God have something for them in the Triangle area? “Don’t let Satan take away in the dark what God gave you in the light,” counseled Pastor Keith Davey, Pastor Davey’s father. So, while Marsha and their young twin sons lived in Atlanta with her family, Pastor Davey began to look for the opportunity the Lord had for him.

It didn’t take long to discover that there were many churches in North Raleigh. But an opportunity to stay with new-found friends, who lived in Cary, began to prompt Pastor Davey that perhaps the Lord was leading him to start a church in the Cary area. He found a meeting space in East Cary Middle School and got the word out through an article in the Cary newspaper—it happened that the religion editor was looking for a story!

So September 7, 1986, the first service of Colonial Baptist Church was held in the band room of East Cary. Twenty-eight people attended, along with some of the Davey’s family. Soon, the church was thriving and was able to fully support their young pastor. There are many more details of the Lord’s faithfulness during those early months and years, but that’s history! “What gets my engine going is what’s going to happen in the future!” said Pastor Davey addressing the Coaches Corner ABF recently. “Our staff is developing; we’re turning closets into classrooms to create more space!” said Pastor Davey. He also related the tremendous blessing and opportunity that Colonial will have in developing new leadership through Shepherds Theological Seminary. “I get a thrill out of seeing people leading . . . that’s part of our intention [at Colonial] to see other men leading,” said Pastor Davey.

When Colonial celebrated twenty years of ministry Pastor Davey said, “Our ministry continues to be a text-based, Christ-exalting mission.” And that’s as true today as it was then. So what’s next for Colonial? Pastor Davey put it this way: "We’re just getting started!"

Come join the weekend of celebrations, as we join together to thank God for all He has accomplished during Colonial’s 25-year history. The Family Fun Festival will be held Saturday, September 24 in the courtyard, with games, food, and entertainment, there will be fun for all. Sunday, September 25, Erwin Lutzer, Senior Pastor of the Moody Church will preach at all three morning services. Sunday night, we will conclude our church-wide celebration with Pops in the Park at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. Invite your friends, bring a picnic and chairs, and be ready to enjoy an evening of great music followed by a spectacular fireworks grand finale!