The first service of Southridge Community Church
was held on September 11, 1976 in the Stockade Building, complete with all the
accompanying livestock aroma and serenading from the cattle.
Twenty-eight people attended under the leadership of Al & Lois Torhjeim.
Outgrowing the limited facilities in the
Stockade, the church began its pilgrimage to the Civic Centre, where it remained
for about fifteen months. Under the
direction of the Lord, the fellowship took its largest step of faith as they
built a new building on the corner of 57th Ave. and 41st St. Thanksgiving and
excitement filled the new sanctuary as 175 worshipers joined together for the
first worship service in our current building on May 6, 1979.
Our Dedication Service was held on October 19, 1980.
Other pastors that have been with us at Southridge are:
Rev. Bob
& Carolyn Black - Youth Pastor - 1978-79
Rev. Mark
& Rosalie Copeland - Sr. Pastor
- 1980-83
Pastor Dave & Kathie Edwards - Youth Pastor -
1983-87
Dale & Amanda Block - 1989-1995
Mike & Elisa Nedelko - Youth Pastor - 1996-1998
Don & Sharon Read - 1999
Presently our congregation is being led by our
Sr. Pastor Rev.
Mike &
Darlene
Morgan who have been our shepherds since 1981, Worship
Pastor - Brad Berkan, Pastor of Youth and Christian Education - Pastor Darren
& Bonni Rish and Minister of Pastoral Care - Bob & Olive Myers.
On May 29, 1983 a new gymnasium was dedicated to the
Lord and has been much in use ever since, not only for church functions but very
much made available to the community.
We are also very blessed to run Southridge Camp
at Ministikwan Lake. The first
youth camp took place in 1978. We
have since added many new buildings and expanded our lease and in 1998 we
celebrated 20 years of Camp by building a new chapel which was dedicated on
August 9, 1998. Summer camps are
held for Gr. 1-9 plus a family camp and the facility is also used for retreats
and is open to the community to use for reunions and family gatherings.
Southridge exists to Celebrate God's
Presence in Worship, Communicate God's Word through Evangelism, Demonstrate
God's Love in Fellowship and Educate God's People through
Discipleship.
Our weekly ministries include Sunday School, Wee
Worship and Nursery, Awana (an interdenominational club for boys and girls),
youth, worship band, and choir. We
also have many other monthly and special events including music and drama
productions which are very much produced for the community of Lloydminster.
We also have a well-stocked library available.
Our church is led by a Board of Elders and a
Business Operating Committee plus other boards and committees.
In the summer of 2001 Southridge Community Church
celebrated 25 years of ministry in Lloydminster and area.