BY KIM MULFORD • COURIER-POST STAFF • NOVEMBER 14, 2009
Full Article here
WILLINGBORO — In the beginning, Destiny Family Worship Center consisted of Pastor Jonathan Leath, his wife and young kids, his mother-in-law, and three couples — all with the blessing of their former church in Rahway.
That was two years ago. Today, the fast-growing nondenominational church has more than 100 members, and a new home it shares with two other congregations.
But it wants more.
At a housewarming event it will host today, the church hopes to draw families looking for a congregation that’s a little more modern.
“We want the community to know there’s a group of people that love them and there’s life — there’s activity — at this place,” said Leath, a soft-spoken 39-year-old who was born and raised in North Carolina.
“We are a church made up of people from all different backgrounds: black, white, Hispanic. It’s a multicultural church,” Leath added. “That’s who we are called to minister to — not to segment, but to integrate.”
Since July, the congregation has shared worship space with the Reformed Church of Willingboro and Iglesia De Dios Centro Christian. The congregations each worship at different times on Sunday. Destiny has the 11 a.m. slot.
Leath said he has met many people who say they’ve never been inside the Sunset Road church.
“We want to be the first ones to extend a hand to you, as opposed to others reaching a hand to us,” said Leath.
This isn’t the first time Destiny has worked to reach out to the community, said Danita Thompson of Columbus, an ordained elder at the church. In April, it held a family fun day with a moonbounce and free food. (The church is also a host site for Angel Food Ministry, which provides groceries at a reduced cost.)
Leath said he’s met many people who say they’ve never been inside the church.
“They see the sign when they are driving by, but we really want them to know what we’re all about and how welcoming we are,” said Thompson, a family and marriage therapist. “We’re all about helping families grow, and helping people become whole.”
Destiny will hold a housewarming event from 1 to 4 p.m. today for Willingboro and the surrounding area. Besides live contemporary music and food, the church will give away a night’s stay at a hotel, haircuts and complete Thanksgiving dinners.
Reach Kim Mulford at (856) 486-2448 or kmulford@courierpostonline.com
