Church Highlight
Life Church
By Pastor Mark Uzupan
Revelation 3:8 says, “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”
Life Church had its beginnings in the year 1969 under the founding pastor Brother and Sister Triplett. Over the years, the church began to grow and established itself as a spiritual beachhead in the community. In the 1990s the church outgrew its original location and purchased another facility on eight acres of land.
However, the school system of Nash County acquired the pieces of property that surrounded the church. As a result, the church was forced to relocate. Following this, Life Church met in a storefront building in Rocky Mount, North Carolina from approximately 2009 to 2020.
Amid victories and defeats, which were really all steppingstones, God has proven himself faithful and true. The Scripture declares, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9-10). It does not matter what man may say and it does not matter what Satan and Hell may try. God’s plan, will, and purpose will ultimately prevail.
In 2018, Pastor Mark Uzupan and his wife Sindy Uzupan were elected pastors of Life Church. The church prayed for ten years in hopes of a new location, and it seemed like every way they turned nothing was happening. The faithful saints of Life Church continued to pray and believe God for a location after the Uzupans came.
The church looked at a building on four acres of land that was across the street from their storefront church and made several offers, yet nothing happened. Finally, Brother Uzupan saw a piece of property on the north side of town that was listed in the past for $349,000, but the price recently dropped to $309,000.
Brother Uzupan went and investigated the property, presented the building to the church board and family, and decided to make an offer on the building.
God blessed them, and Life Church was able to purchase the building for $150,000. After the church took possession of the building in January of 2020, they started tearing out walls and making plans for a permanent sanctuary. In the preliminary stages, contractors came in and gave estimates on what it would cost to do the needed renovations. They estimated around $200,000.
Brother Uzupan called the local bank and borrowed what they thought would be needed to do the work. As plans were being drawn and everything was being prepared, COVID-19 hit. This caused the whole process to slow down dramatically. It was not until September 2020 that the church was able to have their plans approved by the city and to begin accepting bids for the job.
As the bids came in, it became apparent that there was a bigger need for money than originally intended. Life Church approached their bank. The bank’s response was, “because you are a church and because of COVID-19, we will not be able to loan you any more money.”
Brother Uzupan then reached out to the Church Loan Fund. The Fund stepped up to the plate. The loan was approved in March 2021. However, the church was not able to start renovations until July 2021 because of contractors being backlogged.
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As I sit here and write this article in November 2021, we are about 95% complete with our building renovations. When we are finished with our renovations, we will have almost 10,000 square feet compared to 3200 square feet in our storefront location. Our sanctuary will seat approximately 200 people, have four offices, four Sunday school rooms, a fellowship hall, two prayer rooms, and a kitchen. Our property is in a prime location with great exposure on just over an acre of land with fully paved parking.
We are excited about the awesome things that God has done, is doing, and is going to do for Life Church of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. While we may not see things working, my God says: “... even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were” (Romans 4:17).
Currently (according to the plan and the will of God for there to be a church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina), the church is moving forward and planning for harvest. In His name, we will see the great things of God being performed from all the saints that have prayed and fasted. Thank you to the Church Loan Fund for making the funds available so we can move forward with Jesus for the cause of REVIVAL!
