Forest Church reaches for the star

Forest Church, the multi-racial Baptist congregation on Forest Drive, is pointing its star toward Northeast Columbia.

The 600-member church has a contract on 41 acres on Longtown Road, where the congregation hopes to expand its facilities to include a larger sanctuary, a fitness center, day care and sports fields, said the Rev. Brian Thomas, the church’s senior pastor.

“We own just under seven acres (on Forest Drive) and we know that we can’t do everything that God wants us to do on seven acres,” Thomas said.

The congregation will change its name to NorthStar Christian Center, taking its cue from Philippians 2:15: “God’s children without any faults among a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.”

Although it remains an independent Baptist congregation, Forest Church is distinctive for drawing from many ethnic groups. Thomas said about 15 different cultures are represented in the church.

“We are not a traditional Baptist congregation,” he said.

Thomas, who grew up in the church, has been senior pastor since 1999. His father, the Rev. Glenn Anderson was pastor for many years.

“When we think of our responsibilities as Christians, NorthStar should shine,” Thomas said. “We should be pointing the way to Jesus.”

The church sold its Forest Drive property to John H. Burriss Sr., who plans to establish his fourth Gold’s Gym on the site. There are also plans to build a small strip of stores near Falcon Drive, Thomas said.

The congregation will remain there for several months while building a new sanctuary. Thomas hopes the church will be in its new facility by November.

— Carolyn Click