Rev.
Paul A. Lewis has been the pastor of the Upper Room Worship Center since
September 1988. He is an ordained Bishop of the Church Of God in
Cleveland Tennessee. Pastor Lewis and his wife began their pastoral
ministry in the western United States. In September 1974, Pastor Lewis
took his family to Butte, Montana to reorganize a Church of God there.
Armed with the word of God and a desire to do his will, within three
years the church had grown not only in attendance but owned land and had
built a new sanctuary. Rev. Lewis and his family returned to the east to
pastor churches in Manassas and Suffolk, Virginia. After spending some
time evangelizing
in Virginia and Indiana, Pastor Lewis settled back in Martinsville. He
took over the Collinsville Church of God with only 6 members. Under his
leadership the church has shown growth in attendance but more
importantly in spirituality. With the growth came the name change to the
Upper Room Worship Center and a move to our own 6 acres of land in
Fieldale Virginia. The band of believers paid for the land and built a
Sunday school addition with in the 1st year and a half. Next would be a
new sanctuary and through the leadership of God, that was completed and
paid for as it was built. The new sanctuary seats over 300 and is one of
the most beautiful churches in our area. Pastor Lewis serves as the
Senior Pastor with his grandson Rev. M. Jason Shupe as the assistant
pastor.
Rev.
M. Jason Shupe has been serving as the assistant pastor of the Upper
Room Worship Center since June 2003. Pastor Jason was ordained in March
2005 and has recently became on ordained Bishop in the Church of God. Called into the ministry at an early age,
Pastor Jason has been
a student of the bible and ministry since
childhood. He is blessed by God to have a very anointed ministry. Having
his grandfather as his spiritual mentor has given Pastor Jason a
knowledge of the spirit that is so advance for his age. He is single and
looking for the help mate God has to serve along side him in his
ministry. Pastor Jason not only serves as assistant pastor he also adds
to services through the gift of music that God gave to him just a few
years ago. It is his sincere desire to fulfill the plan God set forth
for him.
Barry
and Angie Stewart are
God Chasers….. following his will. Barry had been working and supporting
many areas of ministry at the URWC including helping to promote more
community outreach. Angie was also involved in many areas of the church,
including assisting in our children’s program. While acting as
chaperones, being with the youth during fellowship, and being with some
of the youth through our church drama team “High Definition,” they
established a strong connection with the older youth group. With God’s
direction and unprecedented timing, Barry and Angie felt the call to
become our youth leaders in June of 2008.
Barry and Angie work together as a strong team to provide vital Biblical
teaching in an easy to understand manner. Through bible study and open
discussion, the students are able to get a clearer vision of what
Christianity and righteous living is all about. So many wonderful
changes have taken place since they took their position! The students
are learning so much about the Word of God, being a Christian, and Jesus
Himself, that they are witnessing to family, believing in their prayers
and seeing the results. The students are growing in their individual
Christian walks weekly! Barry and Angie’s prayer is that the youth will
take a little of what they are receiving to their friends and that it
will draw their friends in as well as drawing the youth closer to the
Lord. The entire youth class, including Barry and Angie are involved,
and being blessed in the drama team. They minister in our church as
well as taking it beyond the walls to other churches. Only God knew how
both ministries (outreach and working with youth) would be combined.
Barry and Angie are just getting started!!!! They have a great vision
for growth in numbers and spirituality. We can hardly wait to see what
God is going to do through them and their ministry.
Angie notes: “Barry and I have always loved children of all ages and knowing the struggles that each of us had while growing up in this cruel world and all the drugs and other things that can throw a teenager right off track…….we hope that they can hear some advice from us that will lead them in the right direction (the narrow path) rather than just following someone who will just bring them down”.
We invite you to come bring your teens to join this exciting youth group. If you live local and need a ride to the Upper Room please call us at 647-3013 or 734-9302.
Sunday school starts at 10:00am and Youth class on Wednesdays at 7:00pm.