New River Early Learning Center

Nothing but love, appreciation and gratitude for the most uplifting and meaningful Celebration of Life for my dear friend and fellow CLR summer camp staff member, Rusty Penwell. I have added a few of my photos of Rusty from summer camp in 1999 and from when he worked at Giovani Pizza in Bainbridge!! Every single church member and each Pastor who spoke lived up to your name, Open Door! The music was joyful and uplifting as well. There were over 25 of us who were able to attend from camp coming from all over Ohio and as you know, one very significant friend of Rusty's, Josh, came from the other side of our country. Rusty and I achieved our Mountainman via our frontiersman program together on the same night and so I take so much comfort from witnessing Rusty's life honored in all ways possible. You have no idea how grateful I am and all of us are to each of you for all of this. I am also grateful you welcomed Rusty's Pastor from his church in Bainbridge. Each of you nailed the essence of our amazing and dear friend and so it is obvious each of you walk the walk. This is so refreshing. Because of all of this, I will come from Lancaster and take you up on your offer to attend one of your services. I will do this before the end of the year in honor of Rusty's wishes! Your church is beautiful with generous parking and well marked buildings. You have removed many barriers for a non-member to attend! Tysvm!!!

We had a great experience worshiping the Lord, and all of the people were very friendly. We might go back on occasion, but we are still exploring other churches and looking for a home. It is a very large church with a lot of moving parts that can feel overwhelming. I feel some concern over the capitalism on hope and faith because I feel like it lessens the credibility of the pastors. It doesn't feel authentic to listen to them push attendance to the schools they run and purchase the books they sell. Church leaders should be accessible to the congregation and not like local celebrities with security. These are only my opinions and feelings which are NOT facts. Everyone is different and many people clearly love it here. I think I am just personally looking for a smaller, more intimate fellowship.

I watched in horror as the congregation was on the floor bowing down to the preacher named Mark. Also both church van drivers are rude, especially Tipp.

Felt so welcomed with my family, even after 20 years of being mia

I whole heartedly love my family there at Open Door Fellowship! Non denominational! Actively serving Jesus in our own neighborhood and other neighborhoods hmmas well. People going here actively serve Jesus in their everyday lives! Come out and worship Jesus with us! May God richly bless you as he is worthy of all praise!