Under the leadership of Bishop Chester Aycock, St. Paul Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, in Wilson, N.C., has grown into a thriving ministry, reaching lives through mission around the world.
And, as St. Paul’s membership and ministry has grown, so has the congregation’s need for additional space. Recognizing that need, Aycock forged a strong partnership with Disciples Church Extension Fund, who served St. Paul’s building planning needs by providing new construction and renovation loans and consultation.
“For more than two decades Disciples Church Extension Fund has enjoyed a great and lasting partnership with St. Paul and in particular, Bishop Aycock,” says Bill Singer, vice president of Disciples Church Extension Fund.
Bill and Alton A. Smith, presiding general bishop of the Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, International and pastor of St. Mark Church of Christ in Goldsboro, N.C., recently presented the surprised Bishop Aycock with Disciples Church Extension Fund’s first Partnership Award at the Biennial General Assembly of the Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) International and Incorporated in Williamsburg, Va. before a crowd of approximately 550.
The Partnership Award recognizes those congregations with whom Disciples Church Extension Fund has worked, that appreciate and practice effective use of their buildings for mission and ministry. The award also recognizes individual partners who help build connections and relationships between congregations and Disciples Church Extension Fund. The award was presented to Bishop Aycock for his overwhelming support of the Disciples Church Extension Fund ministry.
“Bishop Aycock has been an excellent partner of DCEF, helping our ministry build relationships with Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) congregations throughout the Goldsboro/Raleigh district and other districts of the General Assembly,” Bill says. “He understands that utilizing building space effectively results in having the best outcome for ministry.”
This was the first Partnership Award that Disciples Church Extension Fund has presented. Bishop Aycock is also the Bishop of the Goldsboro/Raleigh District Assembly. He has served as a pastor for 39 years.