The congregations of both Hazel Dell and Ridge Dell churches met together in a joint business meeting on July 25 and voted to become one congregation under the name Whipple Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church.
This new church, currently under construction, is located on the former Ridge Dell property at 302 N.W. 179th St., Ridgefield, Wash., directly across 179th Street from the Clark County Fairgrounds.
The merging of the two churches seemed an impossible dream until a mold problem developed at the Ridge Dell Church. Extensive work was needed to remove the mold and mildew, and Hazel Dell invited Ridge Dell to worship with them until the problem could be solved.
Both churches found how much they enjoyed and needed each other. The Hazel Dell Church members met at their regular monthly meeting in June and were amazed when— after being asked by Donavon Kack, church pastor, how they liked meeting together—all the board members indicated they would like to make meeting together permanent. It did not take Pastor Kack very long to bring back word that the Ridge Dell board was very receptive to this proposition.
In a very short time, the proposal was submitted to a joint business meeting of the two churches, and the vote was unanimous. Each member joyfully voted to merge the two groups into the Whipple Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Worship services will continue at the Hazel Dell location until Whipple Creek is ready for occupancy. The target date to jointly occupy the new building is Sept. 9, when the church will begin their Revelation Now evangelistic series with Jac Colon.
The Hazel Dell and Ridge Dell churches have decided to join forces and become one congregation to be known as the Whipple Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church. (Tina Shafer)
