By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

CALERA— After spending several years hosting services in Calera, the pastor of Gospel Light Free Will Baptist Church decided it was time to re-launch and revitalize.

Beginning May 1, Pastor Raymond Rivers said the church will be hosting a series of updated services to launch the new era of Gospel Light Free Will Baptist.

“I came here because God had called me, and I stayed because God had called me…I came to the point where it was either close it up or have a new day,” Rivers said. “That’s where I was at, and I just didn’t think God would be honored in us closing.”

As a small church, meeting at Union Hall at 1324 Woodbine Ave., Rivers said it’s been difficult to keep up with the current multi-faceted culture.

The new services at the church will feature newer music, TV screens, a more intensive children’s ministry and more, according to Rivers.

He and his family will promote the re-launch at Calera’s Strawberry Festival April 30, and will launch the new services May 1 with events following every Sunday in May.

The special services throughout the month are: Mother’s Day Service on May 8, Family Friends Day on May 15, Youth Sunday on May 22 and Mission Sunday on May 29.

“We’re hoping that people who don’t know about us will find out about us this way, (and) people who know about us but don’t know who we are will find out about us,” Rivers said. “We just want them to know it’s about Jesus. That we are sharing his love, and we are trying to be followers in Christ.”

Rivers also added that there are several events coming up in June and July. Gospel Light Free Will Baptist is hosting vacation Bible school June 1-5, a Christian art camp June 27-29, Anniversary Sunday July 10 and a creation science camp toward the end of July.

Services are held Sundays at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. off Woodbine Avenue.

“I don’t want to be mediocre,” Rivers said. “I want God to get the glory out of this, and if there is some way that we can be a blessing in sharing God’s love with people here, then we want to do that.”

For more information, call 470-6662 or visit Gospellightfwbchurch.com.