History
The history of the Ridge Area Seventh-day Adventist church began when the late Edward Ashley and his wife Gretel moved from Orlando to Avon Park. After attending the local SDA church, Edward promptly asked, “Where are my people?” A former acquaintance, Pastor Milton Sterling, was presiding over the Lakeland and Bartow districts. He introduced the Ashleys to Melvin and Mary Turner who lived in Avon Park but were members of the Lakeland Church. Brother Ashley expressed an interest in evangelistic outreach in the African-American community of Avon Park.
The history of the Ridge Seventh-Day Adventist church began when the late Edward Ashley and his wife Gretel moved from Orlando to Avon Park. After attending the local SDA church, Edward promptly asked, “Where are my people?” A former acquaintance, Pastor Milton Sterling, was presiding over the Lakeland and Bartow districts. He introduced the Ashleys to Melvin and Mary Turner who lived in Avon Park but were members of the Lakeland Church. Brother Ashley expressed an interest in evangelistic outreach in the African-American community of Avon Park. They began having Wednesday night prayer service in the Turner’s home. Brother Ashley went door to door befriending many and inviting them to Sabbath worship. They were joined by a few other African- Americans from local SDA churches and began to look for a building to hold Sabbath worship. They rented a church hall on 213 Second Street (recently named Joe Hilton Street). The group was officially organized in June 1983 into the Southeastern Conference with 13 charter members. The charter members were: Pastor Milton Sterling, Edward Ashley, Gretel Ashley, Melvin Turner, Mary Turner, Catherine Collins, Lula Foreman, Ruby Thompson Davis, Tonita Mitchell, Tonya Mitchell, Robin Williams-Stukes, Leonard Miller, and Grant Wilkerson. Willie Williams was the first baptized member of the Ridge. Three of the charter members Gretel Ashley, Catherine Collins, and Robin Stukes remain active members of the church today.
Pastor Milton Sterling served this church from (1983-1984) followed by Pastor Jonathan McCottry and his assistant David King (1984-1987). Next came Pastor Carl Walker (1987-1988). Sister Walker began and directed the first children’s choir. Membership grew slowly but steadily as the faithful praying members recognized God’s hand of leadership. The congregation was blessed with sermons by Elder Ashley and various laypersons from the Walker Memorial Church such as Elder Schaefer and Pastor Moldrik, and Pastor Peay from the Southeastern Conference during pastoral transition. Things began to turn significantly when God called Brother Charles Allen, a lay preacher from Orlando, Eustus Nelson MD, then an Elder at Walker Memorial Church and other mission-minded souls who had relocated to work in the area. Many seeds were sown during the tent crusade conducted by Brother Allen in 1984.
Pastor Michael Ross came from the Andrews University Theological Seminary and accepted the pastorship in 1988. He and his family served the church from 1988-1995. Under his leadership the church began to worship in a larger rented church on 818 Delaney Avenue. One side of a duplex housing unit on 6th Street, recently named Alice Nelson Street, was donated to the church with the stipulation that it always be used for good. The church used it as a Community Services Center (CSC). Sister Viola Nazaire was the first director. Later the church purchased the other side of the duplex and the members donated their time and skills along with the help of contractor Richard Howard, Sr., to renovate the two into the lovely CSC we see today.
The mighty hand of God enabled the members to purchase 13 acres of property on 6th Street (recently named Alice Nelson Street) in 1991. A three-phase plan was developed for use of the property. Phase 1: Fellowship Hall to seat 200 which would also be used as a Day Care. Phase 2: Sanctuary to seat 300, accompanied by a gym and playfield. Phase 3: Adult Retirement Living Center and expansion of the Day Care to Nursery and Grade School. A ground-breaking ceremony was held May 1991 and the Fellowship Hall was dedicated in 1992.
Evangelistic outreach increased the membership to about ninety. In 1990 a prison ministry was started at the Avon Park Correctional Institution and continues today in active service despite the interferences of the adversary.
Pastor Lucious Hall began to shepherd this flock in 1995. He and his family continued the outreach program which increased the membership to approximately 140 at that time. He began a vibrant radio ministry, WWTK 730 AM, which serves the Heartland—Avon Park, Sebring, Lake Placid, and Wauchula. It is heard by many every Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. and only God knows how many lives have been touched. Under Pastor Hall’s leadership and with the help of Dr. Eustus Nelson, 9.5 acres of property was purchased on Hal McRae Boulevard which will later become our new church.
Pastor Richard Barron and his wife Vivian retired to this area and he accepted the pastorship in April of 2001. He served the church from 2001-2006. As a spiritual leader and former administrator in God’s World Church, he brought to us years of experience and diplomacy. He shared his strong desire for everyone to be prepared for the coming of the Lord, and for each one to help spread the gospel. Under his leadership, the church became debt free by paying off the mortgage for the 9.5-acre property. Later, Dr. Lorenzo Grant came to teach the church how to evangelize the city. The church sponsored a group of Filipino brethren who became organized as a church in 2005. Pastor Anslem Paul came to this area in 2005 as Pastor Barron’s assistant. Pastor Paul had a vision to empower the youth and it was under his and Sister Collin’s leadership that the Pathfinders attended their first Oshkosh Camporee.
In September of 2006, Pastor Dion Henry and his family were transferred to this area by the Southeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Pastor Henry met with the congregation in age grouped workshops to identify the needs of the community and how we can best serve them. He has worked closely with radio host Helen Mays in the radio ministry. Because of his deep interest in evangelism, many have been led to the Ridge, and because of the Lord’s blessing, we no longer had enough room at the Alice Nelson Street location. A ground-breaking ceremony for our present location was held on October 28, 2007. Praise be to God! Under Pastor Henry’s leadership, the church continued to grow significantly both in membership and financially. On August 8, 2009, the new edifice was dedicated to the glory of God.
Satan presented many obstacles and delays, but at the same time God’s presence was evidenced on many occasions, and just like the Great Controversy—God is the victor! We have a new home! We thank God for all the pastors, spiritual leaders, and faithful members he has led to this church. We especially thank him for every prayer, every sacrifice, and contribution. It is a growing church filled with diverse spiritual gifts and talents that the Lord is using to reach more. Let us press on in faith as we fill this sanctuary with souls for Christ. Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.” Although this is a beautiful building, let us not forget that it is temporary, for our final home is heaven.
