DATE: Thursday, October 2, 1997             TAG: 9710010175

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 10   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT 
                                            LENGTH:   75 lines

OPEN DOOR CHURCH CELEBRATES 17TH ANNIVERSARY THE CONGREGATION DEDICATED A NEW 600-SEAT SANCTUARY, OFFICE COMPLEX AND EDUCATIONAL CLASSROOMS.

The invitation from Open Door Church for its 17th anniversary celebration was simply worded: ``Look What the Lord Has Done.''

From Sept. 14-19, the church celebrated and spotlighted the dedication of its new 600-seat sanctuary, office complex and educational classrooms.

There were services led by Open Door Pastors Tony and Kathy Peaks, as well as notable guest speakers such as the Rev. Courtney McBath of Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk.

``The services were unbelievable,'' Pastor Tony reported. ``Our attendance was very good, nearly packing our new sanctuary . . . This week was a real shot in the arm giving us direction and vision for the days to come,'' he said.

According to the Peaks, Open Door Church has much to celebrate. When the Peaks arrived in Suffolk nearly 17 years ago, they began with a core group of about 15 members. That number has now grown to about 400 members and a regular attendance of over 300.

And as numbers have grown, so has the vision. The church purchased 3.6 acres of property on Kings Fork Road. In June 1986, the congregation entered its first building. In January 1991, the church began services in its second sanctuary, a 300-seat facility. On Sept. 16, the expanding congregation dedicated a beautiful, new 600-seat auditorium.

The good news is that the million-dollar facility debt free.

``We have a real vision for our church and our city,'' Tony Peaks pointed out. ``We want to break down the color barrier in our community . . . to influence the city of Suffolk for Jesus Christ . . . and to do our part in the perfecting of the saints,'' Peaks continued.

Kathy Peaks attributes the church's success to its ministry. ``People are really hungry for the Lord and the Truth,'' she said.

``Our teaching is always fresh, practical and real-to-life,'' she added. ``People can identify with what's being preached here.''

Tony Peaks said, ``Jesus used parables to teach, and we try to be practical - to deal with daily issues and where people live.''

``Our membership includes newcomers to the area, people who have received salvation and others who have left more traditional churches to join us,'' said Tony Peaks.

Open Door offers its membership biblical teaching and preaching, a contemporary-style worship with a praise and worship team led by Tim Ralston, and a strong emphasis on evangelism and outreach both at home and abroad. There's a children's church program, Bible study classes for all ages, leadership training, an active women's ministry and a number of Promise Keepers for men. Periodically, there are ``zone'' fellowships for the membership which spreads across a 45-mile radius covering Hampton Roads and parts of North Carolina.

Throughout the year, the church runs its own day care for infants through five year olds - another extension of the church's ministry into the community. In addition, the church has a heart for teens. ``I feel like with everything we face in society, young people need to see a real God and that the Lord loves them and cares about them,'' Kathy Peaks said. ``We want teens to know that with the Lord, there's a hope and future.''

Open Door will sponsor a youth concert open to the community on Nov. 1 featuring the YWAM touring group ``5:20'' and the punk group ``Pocket Change.''

The next phase of Open Door's ever-expanding building program is Fall Festival on Nov. 14. This fun-filled day will feature an auction as well as a barbecue dinner to raise money to pave the church's new parking lot. And, if the present rate of growth continues, Tony Peaks envisions the need for more property to complement existing facilities in the near future. MEMO: Open Door Church is located at 816 Kings Fork Road. Call 934-2671

for additional information about the church's ministries. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

Tony and Kathleen Peaks are pastors at Open Door Church which opened

its new sanctuary in September.

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